The career of prominent heavyweight kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik has taken a significant blow outside the ring. The fighter has been sentenced to 40 months in prison by the Antwerp Court of Appeal in Belgium, following the rejection of his appeal in a case involving money laundering and forgery. The court upheld the initial conviction, finding him guilty of laundering over €1.2 million.
This legal outcome also impacts others involved. Ben Saddik’s brother, Saïd Ben Saddik, received a sentence of two and a half years, while an associate identified as Emad N. was sentenced to four years. Authorities have confirmed the seizure of the full laundered amount, totaling €1,230,000, as part of the judgment.
Under Belgian law, prison sentences below 36 months do not automatically require full-time detention, adding a layer of uncertainty regarding the exact duration Ben Saddik will spend behind bars, despite the 40-month ruling (of which half is suspended).
The case brought to light connections to a criminal network, reportedly linked to Dutch national Karim S. The investigation uncovered a scheme involving fraudulent contracts and real estate scams. During the initial raids related to the case, law enforcement confiscated over €500,000 in cash, along with numerous falsified documents.
Adding another layer to his recent troubles, the Dutch-Moroccan fighter had only recently returned to competition after more than two years away from the sport. His comeback was short-lived, marked by a defeat in the semifinals of the recent Last Heavyweight Standing tournament less than two weeks ago, where he lost to Sofian Laidouni due to a severe cut on his shin. While overcoming ring rust and opponents inside the circle is one challenge, navigating the complexities of the justice system and losing a legal appeal proves to be a different kind of fight entirely.
With the appeal process exhausted, the court`s decision appears final, leaving Ben Saddik and the kickboxing world to grapple with the significant implications of this legal ruling on his future.
