Kabil ( CNN ) -- Millions of Afghans were glued to their television sets on Tuesday night to watch the first ever professional boxing match staged in the war-torn country . They were treated to a title fight between Hamid Rahimi , who was born in Afghanistan and grew up in Germany , and Tanzania 's Said Mbelwa , with the World Boxing Organization 's Intercontinental middleweight belt up for grabs . While millions watched it live on two Afghan TV channels , including state-run RTA , hundreds of people , including senior government officials , lawmakers and diplomats packed into the Loya Jirga hall in Kabul amid tight security to watch the fight , with tickets changing hands for between US $ 50 and US $ 100 . Rahimi claimed victory in the seventh round after Mbelwa 's shoulder was injured . `` This belt is not mine , this belt is Afghanistan 's belt . It 's yours . I love you , '' an ecstatic Rahimi told the crowd from the ring . The event , billed as the `` Fight 4 Peace , '' was another milestone in the country 's rehabilitation after life under the Taliban , when it would likely have been banned . The group , which ruled much of the country between 1996 and 2001 , prevented the population from taking part in many activities seen as un-Islamic , with restrictions placed on many sports . Kabul 's main sports arena , Ghazi Stadium , was infamously used as a venue for public executions and stonings during the 1990s . `` I am sure none of the two [ fighters ] would even dare to get into the country , if the Taliban were still ruling . I am so happy that now we are moving towards a future where the world is giving us a recognition , '' Sayed Ahmad Peerzada , a shopkeeper , told CNN . The excitement was also echoed on social media , with thousands taking to Twitter and Facebook to show their support for the match . Khalid Quraishi , an Afghan living abroad , wrote on his Facebook page : `` Hamid Rahimi opened a new chapter in the boxing history in Afghanistan ! Thanks to his opponent for accepting to come to Kabul too ! '' The result even resonated at the Presidential palace in Kabul , as President Hamid Karzai offered his congratulations to both boxers . `` The president , besides congratulating Rahimi , thanks his Tanzanian opponent who came to Afghanistan to take part in this fight , '' a statement from Karzai 's office said . Rahimi was born in Afghanistan in 1983 and escaped to Germany with his family in 1992 after the country was embroiled in civil war . He has won 20 of his 21 matches so far .
Afghan-born fighter living in Germany takes part in Afghanistan 's first pro fight . Rahimi claims victory in the seventh round after Mbelwa 's shoulder is injured . Sports such as boxing faced severe restrictions under the previous Taliban regime . Comment: