Saarah Kariem announced her arrival in the professional ranks at the weekend with a decision win against Seani Morite.
Image: Buntu Gotywa
There are few moments in sport more touching than witnessing a father and daughter standing side by side, expressing pride in one another — not just as athletes, but as human beings striving to uplift each other.
It’s a scene that speaks volumes about love, commitment and the power of family bonds. In the world of combat sports, such stories are not uncommon. Many young fighters grow up shadowing their parents, learning discipline, resilience and the spirit of competition from the very people who raised them.
This was exactly the case at Fight Island 2.0 in Cabo Beach, where 21-year-old Saarah Kariem made her professional boxing debut.
Her performance was a statement, a bold one at that, composed and commanding. But beyond the punches and footwork, what lingered in the air was the unmistakable pride of a father watching his daughter announce her arrival in the world of professional boxing.
Presented by Savva Savvas' Insane Boxing Promotions in partnership with ML Boxing Management, the Fight Island event once again delivered fireworks. But one of the night’s standout moments came from the Lotus River boxer as she stepped into the ring against the tough Seani Morite from Limpopo. The crowd was electric and from the opening bell, Kariem had them on their feet.
Saarah Kariem sizes up her opponent in her boxing debut.
Image: Buntu Gotywa
Controlling the pace with a sharp jab and calculated movement, she displayed maturity beyond her years in this official debut.
Her punches were precise, her defence tight and her ring awareness impressive. After four high-paced rounds, she secured a points' decision victory. Despite the dominant showing, Kariem remained grounded.
“I’m happy I got the win, but it didn’t all go according to plan,” she said after the fight. “We can definitely do better.”
Her not being impressed by her own performance, one that had the crowd glued to every moment in the ring, could be a scary thought for her future opponents. If there is more to that performance as she and her coach/father say, boxing fans are in for a treat.
It’s this hunger to improve, even after a solid performance, that speaks volumes about her potential. Throughout the fight, she pushed for a stoppage, but Morite proved to be very stubborn, refusing to buckle under pressure. While the crowd cheered with appreciation, Kariem’s focus remained sharp.
In her corner, her father and coach, Zain Kariem had a face that lit up with pride. For him, the win was about more than just victory inside the ring; it was a culmination of perseverance through a challenging training camp, one that coincided with the holy month of Ramadaan and came with its fair share of setbacks.
A right hand from Saarah Kariem lands during her fight against Seani Morite.
Image: Buntu Gotywa
“I’m incredibly proud of her,” he said. “We had to train through Ramadaan, she picked up injuries, struggled with her weight cut and even battled the flu. But she didn’t complain. She stayed disciplined and went out there and did what she had to do.”
For Saarah, boxing is not just a sport, it’s in her blood.
“I was born into this,” she said. “As a little girl, I used to watch my dad training at the gym. I’ve always wanted to make my family proud. They’re the ones guiding me, supporting me every step of the way, that is why I want to make them happy.”
Her ambition is clear: “The fact that we got the win means the world to me, but this is only the beginning. I want to go all the way. I want to be a world champion.”
A strong mindset, combined with a strong foundation and unwavering family support, there’s little doubt that this is just the first of many nights where Saarah Kariem’s name will echo through boxing arenas. For now, it’s back to the gym — to sharpen, improve and chase perfection because she says being good is not enough, she wants to be great.