Derbal: ''Neighbours were my inspiration.''
Mourad Derbal made a clear promise prior to his fight at WFC 18. ''I will enter the ring to prove that champions aren't made in gyms,'' stated Algerian born kickboxer. He kept his promise and proved to everyone that he's not only a great tutor but also a true warrior that belongs into the ring.
Martial arts are extremly popular in Algeria. Derbal started training at a very young age just like any other average youngster in his home country. ''My neighbours were my inspiration. All of them were training boxing and kickboxing and eventually I was hooked!''
His first bouts were in karate and nunbudo at the age of 12. When he was 16 years old he switched to full contact and kickboxing. Martial arts are a vital part of his existence for nearly three decades already. Northern Africa is known for the love towards martial arts as Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia produce new talents every year. After all, Badr Hari, one of the most decorated kickboxers of all time comes from Morocco.
Derbal, originally from Constantine in Algeria, has been living in Slovenia for over a decade. He fled his home country at the start of a civil war and came to EU looking for asylum. Eventualy he found it in Slovenia. For the last couple of years he has been running his own gym in Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana. Fight club Simba is a recognized gym and also the main reason why Mourad decided that he wants to return to professional fighting.
Do you want to know why? Be here on Monday for the second part of the story as we unveil why Mury returned to the ring and his preparations for the WFC 18.