Ahmed: this is start of journey to the top

Hamzah Ahmed…a young fighter not short on self belief

THE countdown has begun for the paid debut of one of region’s most exciting young guns.

Junior-lightweight Hamzah Ahmed makes his long awaited bow on manager Anthony Manning’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, show on June 23.

Dubbed “Nxt Gen” the bill sees a string of Manning fighters make their pro start.

For Ahmed, from Walsall, the wait since signing pro forms has been long. A brain scan query – now cleared – added months to the process.

But according to the man himself, fans are in for something special. “Fireworks,” he pledged following a six round Sheffield sparring session with hot prospect Jordan Flynn.

If self-belief is a barometer to boxing success, Ahmed is destined for very big things.

And, in fairness, he has the amateur pedigree to cause a stir. The 23-year-old won 50 of 60, claimed 10 Midland titles, a British Universities title, national title and boxed for England. He also beat such vaunted amateur fighters as Lewis Coley and Macauley Owen, both now making waves as pros.

Ahmed said: “My career is a marathon, not a sprint and it’s going to be an exciting marathon. It’s going all the way to the top – I haven’t dedicated my life to boxing to stop half way.

“If I didn’t believe I was going to be a world champion, I wouldn’t do it. I can box, I can dance if my opponent wants to dance and I can put it on an opponent.”

In a previous interview, he told me: “I know what I bring to the table. I’m an exciting fighter, I can talk well, I’m confident, I’ve got that charisma and I can punch a bit. There were three standing counts in my last five amateur fights. I’ve got a good following – 7,000 on Instagram.

“What I’m doing with Anthony (Manning), it’s very technical and I can see how my style has improved.”

Away from the ring Hamzah is a support worker, helping those with health issues.

But, at present, there’s only one thing on his mind – becoming a pro champ.

“I haven’t got time to chill,” Hamzah added. “I’m chasing the dream, I’m on an exciting journey.”

That journey starts on June 23. It’s time to see if the new hope lives up to his own hype.