A mother from Somalia showed unwavering support at her son's boxing match held in London in 2018.

Mahmud Saiid was filmed by his mum as he fought against his opponent at the National Novice Alliance Championship semi-final. She is heard continually screaming "yes Mo!"

Saiid said: "When I started boxing my mum wasn’t very happy as she had ideas of me finishing university and becoming a doctor. She felt as if her retreat from the civil war in Somalia and the struggles she’s been through shouldn’t go to waste to give me a better opportunity in life.

"She came around once she saw the benefits boxing has had in my life such as confidence, perseverance and determination.

"This was the semi-finals of the National Novice Alliance Championship semi-finals, so it was a big deal, with my mother cheering and support I was able to push myself through the four intense rounds and was able to gain the victory over my tough competitor."

Saiid's mother lets out an ecstatic roar as her son wins the match.

when I started boxing my mum wasn’t very happy as she had ideas of me finishing university and becoming a doctor. She felt as if her retreat from the civil war in Somalia and the struggles she’s been through shouldn’t go to waste to give me a better opportunity in life.

She came around once she saw the benefits boxing has had in my life such as confidence, perseverance and determination. This was the semi finals of the national novice alliance championship semi finals, so it was a big deal, with my mother cheering and support I was able to push myself through the 4 intense rounds & was able to gain the victory over my tough competitor


A mother who fled Somalia due to civil war. Shows support for her son in boxing semi-finals after initially not supporting his choice to pursue boxing over finishing university to become a doctor.