In a ruling that underscores the often-thin line between professional sport and external criminal elements, former heavyweight contender Jamal Ben Saddik has been handed a substantial four-year prison sentence by an Antwerp court for his involvement in a high-stakes kidnapping scheme.
From the Ring to the Dock: A Disastrous Turn in Antwerp
For years, Jamal Ben Saddik represented the imposing presence of the heavyweight division in kickboxing, known for his explosive power and bitter rivalry with reigning champion Rico Verhoeven. However, the latest ruling delivered by the court in Antwerp places his combat career in an indefinite hiatus, cementing his reputation not as a champion, but as a key figure in organized crime activities.
The core of the legal proceedings revolved around an incident last summer involving a dockworker at the pivotal Port of Antwerp—a major entry point for international narcotics into Europe. The victim was allegedly approached on the street and subsequently forced into a vehicle at gunpoint. The objective was straightforward, yet audacious: to coerce the dockworker into assisting with a significant cocaine shipment.
The Anatomy of Coercion
The ordeal was characterized by intense pressure and intimidation. During the drive, the dockworker was urged to “cooperate” by his uncle, who called him while he was being held. This phone call proved to be a critical piece of evidence linking the participants. Fortunately for the victim, he refused the demands and was released after his sister alerted the authorities. The incident did not end without further disruption, as the dockworker’s home was reportedly ransacked during the period of duress.
The Court`s Verdict: Operational Leadership
In determining the sentences for the four defendants, the Antwerp court concluded that Jamal Ben Saddik was the operational director of the kidnapping scheme. This assessment earned him the heaviest penalty: four years of incarceration. To provide technical context, one of the men involved in the physical abduction and armed coercion was sentenced alongside him, while the victim`s uncle, who urged cooperation via phone, received 30 months.
For an athlete accustomed to leading the charge in the center of the ring, this classification of `operational leader` in a criminal context is perhaps the most damaging aspect of the ruling. It suggests a level of planning and responsibility far beyond simple participation.
The Denial and the Appeal
Ben Saddik has vehemently rejected the verdict. Through his representatives, he stated that he would not accept the ruling, asserting that the court’s decision to label him the operation’s leader was “completely unjustified.” This denial is characteristic of high-profile defendants facing career-ending convictions, yet it sets the stage for a protracted legal battle.
An appeal has officially been filed. Given the complexity of the case and the Belgian legal system, a new trial could take many months to commence. Until then, the sentence stands, placing an abrupt hold on any prospect of a return to high-level competition.
A Legacy Defined by Legal Tangles
The legal consequences for this kidnapping are not isolated. This conviction follows closely on the heels of previous significant legal setbacks that have systematically dismantled Ben Saddik’s career trajectory. In recent years, he has faced:
- A conviction for money laundering.
- A lengthy suspension in 2022 for doping violations.
Once a genuine threat to the heavyweight hierarchy, Ben Saddik’s narrative has tragically transitioned from a tale of athletic rivalry to a cautionary legal dossier. The Antwerp court’s decision serves as a decisive punctuation mark on a period of increasing criminal entanglements, leaving the sporting world to reflect on the immense potential derailed by illicit associations.
Gareth Fenton 
Ellis Thorne