BERLIN — An undefeated female boxer from Germany was shot in her dressing room by her stepfather before a title fight, leaving her with injuries to her hand, knee and feet.
Rola El-Halabi was struck at close range by a man who was once her manager. The injuries to the 25-year-old boxer are not life-threatening but could imperil her career.
El-Halabi was awaiting a bout with Irma Balijagic Adler of Bosnia for the vacant IBF lightweight title Friday night when her 44-year-old stepfather entered her dressing room and shot her.
He also shot two security guards before he was arrested, Berlin police said. The three victims were taken to a hospital for surgery.
Sunday's edition of the Bild newspaper identified the gunman as Roy El-Halabi and reported that 800 spectators were evacuated from the arena.
"Papa rushed into the room," Rola El-Halabi told the newspaper. "He threatened us with a gun in his hand and shouted 'Everyone out!' And then he shot me in the hand from three meters. I cried and screamed."
Bild reported that El-Halabi split from her stepfather as a manager in January.
"When I had problems I could talk with him about anything, except when it was about boys," El-Halabi said. "That was taboo."
El-Halabi won the WIBF and WIBA world titles in 2009. She has an 11-0 record with six knockouts.