Ex-Mongols bikie Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim is back to boxing after failed Melbourne gangland hit
Gangland shooting survivor Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim is back in the boxing ring just three months after he was shot in a botched assassination attempt.
Abdulrahim, 32, shared the video on Monday after announcing his shock return to professional boxing three weeks ago.
The ex-Mongols bikie was shot eight times in his Mercedes-Benz after his cousin’s funeral in Fawkner Cemetery, in northwest Melbourne, on June 25.
He managed to escape the scene and drive himself to a nearby police station to seek help.
Abdulrahim shared a photo of his chest riddled with four bullet wounds just two weeks after he was rushed to hospital and expected to die.
Ex-Mongols bikie Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim (right) is back to his professional boxing training regime just three months after a failed assassination attempt saw him shot eight times
Armed Crime Squad Detective Sergeant Bradley Potts said it was ‘a miracle’ the underworld figure survived the shooting and no one was harmed in the crossfire.
‘The offending took place in a public area, in broad daylight with numerous other road users in close proximity,’ he said in September.
‘The offenders discharged a firearm with the sole intention to cause death to Abdulrahim without any regard for the safety of others in the vehicle, or those in the immediate area.’
Earlier this month Abdulrahim announced his return to boxing on Instagram.
‘IM BACK & READY!! FIGHT NEWS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON. STAY TUNED!!’ he captioned the photo from his gym.
A source close to Abdulrahim said he is training daily to prepare for a big comeback he hopes will launch him to worldwide fame.
Abdulrahim shared a photo of his four bullet wounds on his chest (above) just two weeks after the failed Melbourne underworld hit
Abdulrahim announced his comeback on Instagram three weeks ago with a photo from his gym (above) captioned ‘IM BACK & READY!! FIGHT NEWS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON. STAY TUNED!!’
‘He’s fighting fit,’ they told the Herald Sun. ‘He’s back. He’s got his eyes on the prize.’
Abdulrahim is trained by Pierre Karam, the ex-sparring partner of professional American boxer Thomas Hearns.
Six people, including three teenagers, have been arrested in relation to the failed hit on Abdulrahim with police believing the two alleged shooters fled overseas within 48 hours after the attack using fake passports.
‘We know who they are. We know where they are. And we will be bringing them back in due course to face justice,’ Detective Inspector Mark Hatt said.
Yasir Al Qassim, 18, was one of the six arrested and has been charged with attempted murder.
Prosecutors alleged he dropped one of the alleged triggermen to a stolen car used in the shooting and helped them flee the country.
18-year-old ‘baby face’ Yasir Al Qassim (above) was one of the six arrested in relation to the shooting and has been charged with attempted murder
The two alleged shooters (one pictured above) are believed to have fled Australia 48 hours after the attack using fake passports
Melbourne Supreme Court Magistrate Donna Bakos refused the ‘babyface’ teen bail despite reassurance from his family and a $100,000 surety offer.
She cited evidence Qassim allegedly accessed a firearm at an abandoned demolition site a month after the shooting as well as his alleged links to a Middle Eastern youth crime gang as reasons for concern.
However, Qassim’s lawyer Adam Chernok argued the 18-year-old was ‘vulnerable’ and taken advantage of.
‘Your Honour can see from the photograph that he really is very baby-faced,’ he said.
‘You can already hear the wolves circling from here.’
Qassim is also facing charges for firearm possession, theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended licence.