Ijaz: I should already be British champion
Ijaz Ahmed…Friday night bid to take the Lonsdale Belt
IJAZ Ahmed reckons justice will be done if he claims the British and Commonwealth super flyweight titles on Friday night.
His latest chance takes place at Dudley Town Hall on a bill staged by BCB Promotions. It will be the first time that the British title has been contested in the Black Country town for 32 years.
Last time out Tipton's Roy Skeldon was stopped by Leeds' Crawford Ashley for the light heavyweight Lonsdale belt. The Commonwealth strap will also be up for grabs on Friday.
“Jazzy”, from Bordesley Green, is looking to seize the vacant honours at the third time of asking after two tugs-of-war with Kaisy Khademi both ended in 12-round draws.
Ahmed does hold a victory over Khademi, though, having outpointed him for the IBF and WBO European baubles, at super fly, in their maiden encounter, over 10 rounds.
The 29-year-old Brummie was set to make it a quartet of contests with Khademi, for the British crown, only for his opponent to twice withdraw.
In comes Liverpool’s Marcel Braithwaite to fill the breach, another old rival from Ahmed’s amateur career, who has held the English title and challenged for the British title.
Ahmed, who represented the St Francis Boxing Club, in Handsworth, as an amateur, held and defended the Midlands flyweight title once, before going up a division.
His pro record stands at 10 wins and two losses, alongside that brace of stalemates with Khademi. He scored a stoppage over Alejandro Torres last year.
Only Brett Fidoe and Harvey Horn have beaten Ahmed in a paid ring.
Ahmed said: “Khademi is injured again and it’s not the first pull-out from him. I got the feeling that he’d end up not fighting and I was proved right.
“First it was due for December 3 and then March 3, so I’ve been in training since November and, of course, I don’t want to let that fitness go.
“There’s also Ramadan (from March 22 to April 21) for me to consider, so I had to get this in before then. I’m ready and raring to go.
“I was asked if I wanted a replacement opponent and we took that to the board (British Boxing Board of Control). The title is vacant and I deserve my chance.
“As far as Kaisy Khademi goes, I’ve beaten him and, in my opinion, won the other two against him, but I didn’t get the decision. I should already be the British champion.
“He’s been in the way of me progressing in my career and all credit to Marcel Braithwaite for stepping up and taking on the challenge. He will go in there confident, the same as me.
“Our paths have crossed before, when we boxed in the amateurs (England Elite Championships). If I'm honest, I think I beat him two rounds to one (three-rounder).
“He got the victory over me on that occasion, but it was a long time ago now. We have both come on a lot since then and me getting this title is long overdue.
“My tactics won’t change. I’ll just get my head on, do my thing and take care of each round. There will be no slacking from me and there’s nowhere to hide.
“To get my hands on the British title would mean the world to me, it’s what every boxer wants to do. I’ll show that I’m capable of achieving that.”
*Tickets for the Venue bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.