How Dubai gave these 17-year-old twin boxers a head start in pro boxing

Khaleej Times

11 hours ago

Seventeen-year-old British South Asian twin brothers Yuvraj and Vijayraj Karia step into the ring with more than gloves — they carry purpose. Two of a triplet set, the twins aren't waiting for the world to catch up. While most teenagers are prepping for school exams or side-eyeing social media stats, these two are busy fighting grown men professionally — not in London or Leeds, but in the heart of Dubai.
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'Because we couldn't fight anywhere else,' says Vijayraj in a chat with City Times, almost matter-of-factly. 'We weren't allowed to go pro in the UK until 18. But Dubai gave us a head start. Two years ahead of everyone.'
In the UK, rules are rules — you need to be 18 to get your professional license. But the Karia twins, brimming with early talent and trained instinct, didn't want to wait. So when most young British amateurs were still working through red tape, the twins flew to Dubai, secured licenses, and started clocking wins.
'We've already had multiple pro fights in Dubai and Thailand,' says Vijayraj. 'It's different out here. The system is smooth — medicals, licensing, everything. No long waits, no unnecessary hassle. Just boxing.'
That same no-nonsense efficiency reflects in their preparation. 'Fight week is relaxed here,' he adds. 'The hard training is already done. We go for a walk around Marina, maybe one session, sparring or running — that's it. It's calm, it clears your mind.' Brothers in arms, and in the ring
Despite being two-thirds of a triplet set, the Karia twins are entirely in sync when it comes to the fight game. Yuvraj, the second brother, admits he doesn't get nervous for himself — 'but when it's my brother stepping in, that's when I get on edge.'
'We don't spar with each other,' he adds. 'We've got the whole world to compete against. Why fight ourselves?'
They may be individual fighters, but their story is collective. Vijayraj puts it best: 'There's a much larger story. We're three brothers. One does something different, two of us box, but whatever we achieve, we achieve it together.'
Together, they're also helping change the face of boxing. 'There aren't many British South Asian fighters,' says Vijayraj. 'We're representing a whole demographic — showing that people from all backgrounds can make it.' The Ingle school of champions
The twins live and train in Sheffield under the watchful eye of Dominic Ingle, one of the UK's most respected boxing trainers. Known for coaching legends like Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, and Kell Brook, Ingle saw something in the boys early on.
'They didn't have a typical amateur style,' says Ingle. 'And in the UK amateur scene, if your face doesn't fit, you don't get a fair shake. But their style — it was built for the pros.'
Unable to fight in the UK, Ingle recommended turning pro abroad. 'I told their father (Mayus Karia), let them start overseas. Build experience. Treat it like an apprenticeship. Now they're six and seven fights in, and they're maturing fast — fighting men aged 21 to 30. At 17, that's unheard of.'
Ingle's philosophy is deeply rooted in discipline, intelligence, and control. 'Boxing isn't just crash-bang-wallop. It's a thinking man's sport. You've got to stay calm under pressure. It's not about just throwing punches — it's about navigating every round with precision.' Enter Kid Galahad: From World Champion to mentor
Kid Galahad — real name Abdul-Bari Awad — knows what it takes to reach the top. And from the moment he saw the Karia twins in his gym at age 15, he knew they had the hunger.
'They live it,' Galahad says. 'Most 16-year-olds are playing games or hanging in the park. These boys moved to Sheffield, train twice a day, eat, sleep, breathe boxing. It's not a part-time job. It's a lifestyle.'
He's already setting bold expectations. 'By the time they're 21 or 22, I expect them to be world champions. They're on track.'
This October, when the twins turn 18, they'll finally get to fight professionally in the UK. But Dubai will always be their starting point. 'We're going to keep our Dubai licenses,' says Yuvraj. 'Even though we'll be fighting in England, this place gave us our first chance. We'll keep representing it.'
They've already faced adversity. In their bout on Sunday's EMD Fight Night in Dubai, Vijayraj dislocated his left shoulder mid-fight. 'Every time I threw it, it popped out of the socket,' he recalls. 'So I switched stance mid-round and boxed orthodox with my right hand. That's the kind of improvisation we've learned, to stay calm and adapt.'
That mindset, that ability to adjust under pressure; it's what Dominic Ingle has drilled into them. 'Hard work. Focus. That's the lesson that's stuck with us,' Vijayraj says.
Yuvraj echoes the same. Not in words, but in attitude. He doesn't name any boxing idols. 'I just listen to my coach and do my job,' he says. 'I stay focused on what I need to do.'
It's all part of a larger story, Yuvraj reiterates.'We're not just fighters, we're trying to show that background doesn't matter. Hard work does.'
And that's exactly what they've done — with their fists, their feet, and their hearts, starting right here in Dubai.