He’s talked the talk, now it’s Raza’s time to walk the walk

Raza Hamza…big underdog for Friday’s British title chance

BIRMINGHAM feather Raza Hamza has always been able to talk the talk. He does it better than most.

On Friday, August 18, at York Hall, Bethnal Green, we find out if the 31-year-old can walk the walk.

Hamza, a former outstanding amateur, faces Nathaniel Collins for the Scottish southpaw’s British and Commonwealth belts.

He is a prohibitive underdog – and then some. One bookie has him 13/2 for victory.

The lengthy odds are understandable, the big opportunity long overdue.

After a stop-start career stretching seven years, 17 wins and one draw, yet none of those opponents representing a significant test, Hamza got his chance.

Frankly, he blew it.

Last December, against former British title challenger, James Beech, Raza lost over 10 rounds on points.

Bloxwich’s Beech went on to face Collins and was stopped in seven.

Logically, what Collins can do to Beech, he can do to Hamza. But this is a very different fighter than the one who lost his “0” to Beech, Raza insists.

He has learnt his lessons. He has relocated to the Rhondda Valley, under new coach Brett Parry, for his title chance. And being an underdog has bolstered him with a “nothing to lose” mentality.

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

“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.”

There has been a frustration about chronicling Raza’s pro career. He was an outstanding amateur, he has talent to burn and possesses hurtful power.

But for too long he appeared to be treading water. It seemed an age before he took the step-up in opposition.

I’ve often listened to Raza hold court, his vows of what is to come, and thought: “Do you truly believe that yourself?”

At times, I’ve detected a mental fragility. Make no mistake, he’ll need rock solid determination and confidence against Collins.

I believe there is an outstanding performance against top class opposition in Raza. He has the ability.

Yet it has been an age coming.

Could that magical moment come against the Scot?

“Collins is a good boxer, he’s been competing at a good level,” said Raza, “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.”

Raza’s career has been stalled by inactivity – and that’s not all his fault, he stressed.

“It’s been s***,” he said. “Boxing is not a sport, it’s a business. If your face doesn’t fit they leave you to rot. Part of it is my fault and in this business inactivity can overwhelm you.

“Four years ago I was the hottest prospect coming out of Birmingham, maybe even the country. I need to fight to catch up.”

This is Raza’s chance to show what he’s made of. It may be his only chance.

He needs to grasp it with both hands. He needs to come out all guns blazing because fans want to see Raza grit his teeth, survive rocky moments and grasp victory in a real dog-fight.