Shooting at Dutch Kickboxing Event Leaves Local Promoter Dead

Monday, 12 November 2012 00:30

Written by Dave Walsh

Kickboxing has been a lightning rod for controversy in the Netherlands over the past few years. We've spoken extensively about the BIBOB laws that were instated in Amsterdam and neighboring cities that required promoters to undergo thorough background checks and for events to be policed heavily. In cases that were iffy, a promoter's license could be withheld if the government felt that the promotion had organized crime connections. We saw this come into full effect last year when an It's Showtime event was canceled in the Netherlands and there have been no bigger events in the area for quite some time now.

Well, the latest chapter in this saga has gone down today and it leaves a local promoter known for working with It's Showtime, Youssef Sabbahi, dead at the age of 35. Another person is in critical condition in the hospital and officials are already quick to blame the sport like they have in the past. There have even been reports of violence at the hospital and SWAT teams dispatched to keep the peace.

If there weren't enough problems for the Dutch and their Kickboxing scene, this might be the final straw. [source]

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