Melbourne venues torched in lead-up to underworld figure’s boxing match

Police investigating fires in Thomastown and Thornbury, where former Mongols bikie Sam The Punisher' Abdulrahim was to fight

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Arsonists have targeted two Melbourne venues in the lead-up to an underworld figure's boxing match.

Sam The Punisher" Abdulrahim was due to fight at the Furlan Club at Thornbury in Melbourne's north on Saturday, with the venue set alight on Thursday.