Timour said, “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
By Chen Miaolin
“You will not walk again.” The doctor’s words echoed in the cold hospital room, freezing the young man in an icy grip of despair.
The young man, Timour Alserhan, with an imposing physique, spoke politely, his eyes conveying respect and courtesy. “I was devastated at that time because I thought I would never be a champion again,” he confessed.
This, however, was not an ending, but the prologue of a new story.
Dramatically, it turned out the doctor had mixed up another patient’s file with his. However, the doctor still insisted Timour's head was damaged and he could no longer box. This time, Timour listened to the unyielding voice within: “Boxing is in my blood, and I will become the Asian champion.”
True to his word, he returned to training and, at the tender age of 18, won the Asian championship just two months before his journey to China.
Born in Jordan, a country pulsating with the heartbeat of the Middle East, Timour was shaped by the vibrant spirit of his homeland. As a young boy, he found his first love on the soccer field. Yet, a chance encounter with a boxer friend and a fateful visit to a gym set him on a less traveled path. "I was just waiting for my friend," Timour recalled, "but Coach Muhammad Surf saw something in me, something I didn't see in myself."
The 12-year-old athlete, initially reluctant, soon found himself drawn to the discipline and rhythm of boxing. "It was like a game," he said, "but one that taught me about focus, strength, and the spirit of never giving up."
The transition from soccer to boxing was challenging. His mother, concerned for his safety, was initially against his new pursuit. But Timour's talent and powerful punches soon turned doubters into believers. "I had a hard punch," he says proudly. Within a month of training, he achieved his first victory in a Jordanian competition and went on to participate in various Arab and Asian boxing forums.
In the world of boxing, where raw aggression is often the norm, Timour stood out as more than just a man of brute force—he was a thinker and a strategist. "Boxing is not just about physical strength; it's a cerebral contest, much like a game of chess. It requires foresight, planning, and the ability to adapt to an opponent's tactics in real time. The essence of boxing strategy lies in remaining calm and focused under pressure. A smart boxer understands that controlling one's temper is as crucial as landing a punch."
To his dismay, life unpredictably cast a shadow over his boxing career with an eye injury, forcing Timour to hang up his gloves at his mother’s insistence.
It was then that he pursued a new chapter in China—a land he now proudly calls his second home. Drawn by China's vibrant business environment, he started his journey in 2015 in Wuhan City, where he studied business at China University of Geosciences. He stressed the importance of Mandarin, “The Chinese language is as important as English, being widely spoken globally.” Fueled by a thirst for learning, he continued studying Mandarin at Zhejiang University of Technology. Through long-term immersion in Chinese culture, he has found harmony between the discipline he learned from boxing and Chinese philosophies that value patience, preparation, and perseverance.
"Opportunity favors the prepared mind," he often says. Timour set clear academic goals and prioritized preparation. His academic achievements, including ranking second in his class and being the first to publish a paper, reflect his unwavering commitment to excellence.
In another realm, Timour served as a representative for a multinational solar energy company, navigating complex cross-cultural negotiations and bridging the gap between China and the Middle East, attributing his success to thorough preparation and a deep understanding of both cultures. "In boxing, you need to know your opponent's weaknesses and exploit them," he said. "The business world mirrors this strategy. To build successful alliances, one must comprehend their partners' culture, values, and expectations."
Despite the eye injury that pulled him back from the competitive arena, Timour's indomitable spirit remained undefeated. Beyond his academic and professional endeavors, he never abandoned his boxing roots. Today, he stands as a boxing coach. "See how my hip rotates with the punch? It's all about using your entire body to generate power," Timour said, stepping into a perfect boxer's stance with his feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, and sweat glistening on his brows.
Beyond boxing, Timour also shared what he has learned from life: “Life is full of ups and downs. When you are down, it's like you are trapped in a box. If you stay down, you lose. If you get up again and fight, you will embrace the light of victory.”