Hamza gets date for British title chance

Raza Hamza….will fight champ Nathaniel Collins at York Hall

RAZA Hamza will bid for the British featherweight title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on August 18.

And for the first time in his 19 fight career the Birmingham boxer will start an underdog. The 31-year-old knows it and has shifted training base to the Welsh valleys to prepare for southpaw champ Nathaniel Collins.

He must also know he’s fortunate to gain the gilt-edged opportunity.

The form-line does not favour Raza. In his last contest, back in December, the slick puncher was outpointed by Black Country contender James Beech: that remains Hamza’s only loss in a career stretching eight years.

Reigning Commonwealth king Collins, from Bearsden, Scotland, faced Beech for the vacant British title in March and halted him in seven rounds.

Logically, what Nathaniel, unbeaten in 12, did to James he can do to Raza. But this is boxing – logic often goes out of the window.

To an extent, Raza lost his way in the professional ranks. Fans believed they were witnessing something special when the former amateur star peeled-off three first round stoppages in his second years as a pro.

Since then, there have been periods of activity and a number of trainers. The time for the talent to step up to the plate seemed a boxing eternity. When he did, against Beech, he was undone.

Raza has relocated to South Wales’ Rhondda Valley, away from the comforts and distractions of his Birmingham home, for the big fight.

This one is make or break for Raza – and he knows it.

He has distanced himself from the Second City and is pushing his body through the rigours of preparation for a 12 rounder in the former Welsh mining village of Maerdy. Trainer Brett Parry has been tasked with getting Raza fighting fit.

“I’m in the valleys,” Raza told me during an interview. “I’m isolated, we’ve gone back to the A,B,C and D of boxing.”

He realised the odds are stacked against him and, to an extent, that eases the pressure on his shoulders.

“I’m in the game for hard fights and believe this will be my time. I’ll be the first British Pakistani to win the British and Commonwealth title. I have the chance to make history.

“Collins is a good boxer, he’s been competing at a good level, he’s beaten a man who beat me. They have underestimated me.

“You have to look at the bigger picture. After the loss to Beech, I know what I need to do. The Raza Hamza who faced Beech could’ve been hurt by Collins.”