Amran: I’m flash and bring entertainment

Poster for Shazad’s fight in Birmingham this Saturday

SHAZAD Amran’s second pro outing has been a long time coming.

Trained by respected Birmingham coach Shaun Cogan, the 25-year-old appears on Saturday’s Nxt Gen show at the city’s Eastside Rooms.

That’ll be Shazad’s first taste of action since outpointing Logan Paling last Christmas.

He should cruise to 2-0 on this weekend’s bill, promoted by Anthony Manning. Opponent Jules Phillips, from Islington, has lost 25 of 27 and is on a 13 fight winless streak.

Shazad, from Burton, appears to have a big following. The featherweight reckons as many as 130 fans will make the journey to watch him.

Cogan explained the long gap between contests. “There were personal reasons, then Ramadan got in the way. Ramadan meant we had to start from nothing again. We had fights lined-up, but they fell through.”

Shaun, who has been there, done that and worn the t-shirt, during a long career as a pro fighter and trainer, is not given to over-inflating his fighters’ worth. Of Shazad, he said: “He’s OK, not a bad fighter.”

The boxer, himself, is more dramatic in his assessment. “It was always my dream to turn professional and go all the way,” he said.

Shazad turned pro with Alfie Warren after a 14 bout amateur career for Burton Boys which saw him take a Haringey Cup silver medal.

“My boxing skills are my strengths,” he said. “I’m an entertaining, flash boxer.”

He should be able to show his full repertoire against Phillips.