‘They told me to choose between my hijab and boxing’

Zeina Nassar sat down with her parents in their Berlin living room, arranging her notes in a pile, and prepared to explain why they should allow her box.

The 13-year-old immediately felt a connection to the sport after watching YouTube training videos of female fighters. The punches’ pounding, the rhythm of each movement, and the power of each movement.

Nassar, 27, tells BBC Sport, “I watched it again and again.” I was aware that this is what I want to do.

So Nassar argued for her future while acting as a young attorney.

She recalls telling them that boxing was about respect and discipline and that it would help my focus at school.

As a Muslim teenager who proudly wore a hijab, Nassar, who was born in Germany and of Lebanese descent, would soon discover that her greatest challenge lay beyond her immediate family.

Although hijabs were prohibited from competing at the time, she joined her neighborhood boxing gym. She would have to defend her competitive rights.

She says, “People told me I had to pick my hijab over my sport.” Why should I make a decision, I thought? Nobody is being hurt by me. Just to box, I say.

Her career would eventually depend on that desire to challenge injustice.

When she makes her professional Pakistan debut on Wednesday, Nassar will wear her full body covering and hijab. Living legend Roy Jones Jr., who will act as a trainer and mentor, will be in her corner.

There are no known high-profile instances of a professional woman boxing in a hijab, which adds to Nassar’s debut even more significant.

In order to compete in long-sleeved combat, Nassar helped to change German amateur boxing rules at the age of 14.

But she could feel her eyes racing as she entered her first amateur competition.

She claims, “I noticed that there were so many people looking.” Some even threatened to strike me, and I responded, “Please, we just changed the rules.”

It should be about my performance and how good I feel in the ring, I just didn’t understand. There were so many people who opposed it.

Nassar dominated the ring and changed her mind, winning both times and holding the title of true to her beliefs.

She hit a wall when the International Boxing Association (IBA) made an invitation to the European Championships. Worldwide, the hijab was still prohibited.

So she began organizing campaigns at age 19 to change the law.

She claims that “Germany wasn’t supporting me.” But I had a lot of ambition. I aspired to fairness like everyone else who competes.

The hijabi ban was lifted by the IBA in 2019. World Boxing, which also permits hijabs and full-body coverings, is now the official bodyguard for Olympic boxing.

In 2017, she attracted Nike’s attention as a face of the brand’s new hijab for athletes thanks to Nassar’s campaign, which changed the amateur world.

What about the ranks of professionals, though? What regulations apply? A hijab might be dangerous. Would it be advantageous in any way?

Several governing and sanctioning bodies contacted BBC Sport. Local commissions are responsible for making attire decisions under the WBO (World Boxing Organization). There are no specific regulations for religious headgear at the IBF (International Boxing Federation).

The British Boxing Board of Control, which regulates professional boxing in the UK, permits hijabs made of sports design.

Oliver Wittmann, president of the German Boxing Federation, acknowledges that there is little precedent, but he worries about the threat of a hijab falling off during a fight.

Nassar uses her own experience to refute Wittman’s assertions. It has never caused a problem in “about 100 amateur fights,” she claims.

The medical experts concur. According to Professor Mike Loosemore, who has served as Team GB’s medical officer, “it’s not an issue.”

He said, “Hijabs are made of light, breathable fabric.” I don’t mind people boxing while wearing hijabs.

More than 20 000 fans are expected in Lahore over the course of four days of professional fights, compared to Pakistan, which is not often associated with a global boxing championship.

A number of local and international fighters will appear on the show, including James Metcalf, Jimmy Kelly, and Alex Dilmaghani, who are supported by the Punjab government.

It is an “honour” to fight in a nation where there are Muslims, according to Nassar.

The Liverpudlian organizer of the event, Chris Glover, states that “boxing is for everyone.” For all I care, Zeina could wear a cowboy hat if she wanted to wear a hijab. She is an innovator.

Jones Jr., the four-weight champion turned coach, will be in her corner. Years ago, Nassar first met him at an IBA event.

She laughs, “I couldn’t believe I was seated next to him.”

He then began demonstrating moves to me, offering me advice, and keeping in touch. He has taught me a lot about footwork, power, and belief.

In six or seven fights, Nassar has a bold goal of becoming a world champion.