Granite Chin Promotions has announced the signings of light heavyweights Mohammad “Lightning” Alyazouri and Barrett Hanlo to exclusive promotional contracts. Both fighters turned in memorable professional debuts on August 29th at the “Boston Harbor Fight Night 2” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions and CES Boxing, at Encore Boston Harbor Casino in Everett, Massachusetts. They are tentatively scheduled to return to the ring at the same venue on November 7th in separate bouts. Alyazouri, age 30, was a member of the Jordan National Boxing Team for a decade, 2012-2022, posting a 83-8 amateur record. The gifted Jordanian now resides in Burlington, Vermont with his wife, Kate. In his pro debut, he used a powerful left hook to drop Charles de Sousa twice, the second ending the match at the thirty-five second mark of the first round.

 

“My debut was the most important step of my life because it was time to show up or be put on the shelf,” Alyazouri vividly remembered. “It meant way more than just a win for my future because everything was on the line. When my hands were lifted upwards (after the fight) it was epic to see all my dreams were in front of me and I won. My goal was to go pro and I had deals from promoters from Dubai and Germany, but I came to the United States three years ago, and I live in Vermont with my wife in Burlington. We own a gym (Emerge) in Winooski, VT. My wife is a mobility coach who gave me advice for my injured shoulder. We started dating.”

 

Alyazouri was very happy with the way his pro debut turned out. “It was amazing to make my pro debut at Encore, the best way to be seen and recognized,” he said. “There was an amazing crowd with a lot of people who really care about boxing. I never felt so free as I did making my walk to the ring. Chris Traietti [the president of Granite Chin] can take me where I want to be, building my career the right way. He can get me a regional title shot. One reason I signed with him is he’s an ex-boxer, which is very important because in my environment it’s important that we speak the same language. He has been where I want to be.”