FOR most fighters, landing a spot on the bill of Anthony Joshua’s seismic rematch with Andy Ruiz Jnr in Kuwait would be an incredible achievement in its own right.

But the long and winding road that takes Blackburn boxer Omar Dusary to the card supporting the most talked-about fight in boxing means the biggest night of his sporting life will be all the more remarkable.

Born in neighbouring Kuwait, the 25-year-old will be just over the border in Dirijah when he takes on London-based Saudi Zuhayr Al Qahtani in front of a worldwide television audience on December 7.

Dusary left his homeland as a youngster and made his home in East Lancashire with his heritage part of the reason he has been chosen for this once in a lifetime opportunity to announce himself after just eight fights as a professional.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia The Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia

His story is one of hope, hardship and ultimately overcoming the odds, something he will looking to do once again when he travels back to the Gulf, having returned only once to Kuwait to see his mother and father’s graves.

“I was 12 or 13 when I came to this country with my brother,” said Dusary.

“I didn’t have my mum or dad and when I arrived couldn’t count from one to 10 in English.

“I went to high school and was bullied, I couldn’t speak a word of English and if people said things to me I couldn’t react. They would shout and swear and I didn’t know what was happening. 

“My mum then passed away when I was 17 and my world shut down.

“We used to speak every day and then I couldn’t get back for the funeral. I didn’t have a passport and it would have taken too long to get one sorted.”

Despite all that, trained by Jason Curtis at Kokoro Boxing in Accrington, Dusary is a success story in more ways than one.

Lancashire Telegraph: Dusary with trainer Jason Curtis Dusary with trainer Jason Curtis

Starting at Beardwood High School, he picked up boxing in after school classes put on by headteacher Ruby Hussain.

He would then go onto Blackburn College and study for a degree in electrical engineering before moving onto the University of Bolton to complete a masters in electrical and electronic management.

All that meant fighting has not always been at the top of the agenda, his eight contests in the paid ranks – seven wins and a draw – coming over a three year period.

“When I was at university I had to take time away from boxing,” Dusary said.

“I was working part-time, studying and trying to fit in the boxing.

“The boxing wasn’t bringing in money so I had a time about 18 months, nearly two years off when I was doing my masters.

“I achieved that dream and now I’m looking to achieve another.”

His journey means that he is keen to give something back.

Working with the Switch Youth Community Organisation, he sponsors children, does sessions with them and gives them tickets to his fights, the last of which came with victory at the King George’s Hall on November 2.

“I did all of it to make sure I got out of trouble,” Dusary said of his boxing roots. 

“People look at me fighting but I’m not that kind of person. It’s not about me fighting people. I like to set an example and inspire people maybe.

“It’s a dream come true to get this fight.

Lancashire Telegraph: Andy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnAndy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie Hearn

“My dream was just being a professional boxer. I did that, had my first professional fight and then knew anything was possible.

“I want to be number one in the world. You’ve got to aim high.”

The fight against Al Qahtani has come at short notice and sees Dusary jump up from featherweight to lightweight.

But such are the problems he’s faced in his life, little is fazing the Blackburn fighter with a whirlwind couple of weeks to come before the biggest fight of his life.

“I’d fought in my home town for the first time which was great and then I was getting ready for December anyway,” said Dusary, managed by Kevin Maree who did the deal for the fight with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn. 

“He’ll be the favourite because he’s from Saudi Arabia. It doesn’t matter to me really, a fight is a fight.

“I didn’t have to think about it all. It’s a big fight.

“Anyone in England would want to be on this fight, one of the biggest in history maybe.

“These opportunities come once in a lifetime.

“He’s a man, I’m a man, and as long as we both come out healthy that’s the main thing.

“I want to win, of course, and I’ve put the hard work in.

“All my life has been for this opportunity.”