Ijaz stopped in nine for super-fly crown

Braithwaite raises his hands in victory. Pictures by Jack Perry

THE British title stalemate that has swamped Ijaz Ahmed’s career for two years is finally over. He is at last free from a near unbelievable saga that has seen the Bordesley Green boxer draw three times for the super-flyweight crown.

But it has not ended with the Lonsdale Belt strapped around Ahmed’s waist.

On a stormy Friday night, Toxteth’s Marcel Braithwaite rained on “Jazzy’s” intended coronation, halting the 30-year-old in the ninth.

Judging from his performance at Birmingham city centre’s Holiday Inn, Britain has a very worthy champion in Braithwaite, whose Commonwealth belt was also on the line.

He entered Ahmed’s backyard, he faced a noisy, partisan crowd on a bill staged by the Birmingham’s contender’s own promoters, BCB, and claimed the prize.

Last time the pair faced each other for the vacant title, in March, Braithwaite took the 12 rounder at just over three weeks notice and felt the draw was an injustice.

Ijaz Ahmed in his corner after the stoppage

This time, he showed the difference a full camp makes, he put rivalry to bed with a performance that was beyond argument.

Ahmed, who fought bravely and attempted to force the action throughout, was dropped by a swinging, round-house right in the ninth. He rose on unsteady legs and lurched across the ring like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Referee Parker correctly called a halt at one minute 37 seconds after another clubbing right caused Ahmed to jack-knife to the canvas.

In the aftermath, Ahmed was a study in silent contemplation, the former Midlands and European champ no doubt pondering his future after a 16 bout career (three losses).

He complained the telling blows were to the back of the head, but they were muted protests. On the night, 29-year-old Braithwaite was the better man. It was close and competitive until the sixth, when Marcel opened the throttle.

“It is what it is,” Ahmed said. “There were a lot of illegal blows. He hit me on the back of the head and the legs, but it is what it is.”

Jubilant Braithwaite told me: “This was my destiny, I’ve given blood, sweat and tears for this moment. He’s game and tough, but the body shots took a lot out of him.

The new champ proudly displays his collection of belts

“I was a little eager, it’s been a long time coming. I got there in the end.”

Ahmed gave it his all. Supremely fit, he applied his trademark relentless pressure, marching forward with stiff, straight punches. When Braithwaite forced him back after the half-way stage, however, he struggled.

Errol Johnson, BCB boss, called it correctly. He said: “Ijaz was doing well, but he dipped after a body shot in the seventh.”

Braithwaite (8st 2lbs 12oz) targeted the body with wide hooks throughout and gave a taste of what was to come in the first when an overhand right made Ahmed’s legs buckle.

Ijaz (8st 1lb 8oz), chants of “Jazzy”, “Jazzy” filling the hall, drove himself forward in the second as Braithwaite retreated around the ring, hands low, and Marcel seemed content to fight in the corners in the following session, looking to land hooks before spinning to safety.

There seemed a possibility Ahmed’s pressure would prevail. The more eye-catching bursts came from Braithwaite, the industry from Ijaz.

He landed a hurtful left hook to the body in the fifth, but copped two good left hooks and a right in reply.

The pair embrace in a show of mutual respect after the battle

On my card, Braithwaite took control from the sixth. He worked Ahmed’s midriff and landed two heavy rights near the end of the seventh. For the first time, Ijaz was on the back-foot.

Clusters of shots pierced Ahmed’s guard in the eight, then Braithwaite delivered found the finishing punches in the ninth.

He had managed to do what Quaise Khademi had failed to achieve in two previous British title fights with Ahmed: put a dent in the tough fighter, hurt the tough fighter.