Amir taken distance for first time as a pro

Amir Abubaker with manager Anthony Manning

THUNDEROUS punching Amir Abubaker experienced something new in his third professional outing on Saturday.

He actually went the distance. As bull-like Amir put it: “I had a sweat on for the first time.”

On manager Anthony Manning’s show at The Hangar, Wolverhampton, the marauding middle had to settle for a shut-out 40-36 decision over squat and strong Serge Ambomo.

The Sheffield based Cameroonian, a veteran of 66 fights, knows how to survive. He may have won only 11 (three draws), but he pulls off the odd upset and seldom fails to hear the final bell.

It was the first time Abubaker, a Coventry barber by day, heard it following two quick-fire victories.

“I wasn’t too happy,” the 27-year-old told me. “I felt I lost because I didn’t stop him.”

You can’t stop them all and 37-year-old Ambomo knows how to tuck-up and ride punches.

“He tucked up and I couldn’t counter,” said Amir. “I had to show something different – I slipped and side-stepped and the crowd loved it. I could hear them roar. He didn’t give me a lot to work on.

“I had people from all over the country come to watch, but I was a bit disappointed there weren’t more from Coventry. This is going to be an exciting journey and I want them to be a part of it.”

Abubaker is a man on a mission. He wants to be the country’s first Kurdish British champ – and he wants to be fast-tracked to titles.

Amir added: “I’ll fight anyone, I’m ready. Just give me the right notice and I’m there.”