Ijaz vows to continue quest for British title

Ijaz Ahmed…contemplated retirement after last month’s draw

THE public can brace themselves for a sequel to the cracking Ijaz Ahmed-Marcel Braithwaite British super-flyweight title fight after Birmingham’s Ijaz vowed to continue with his career.

Ahmed admitted he was pondering his future after the pair drew, with the Lonsdale Belt on the line, at Dudley Town Hall last month.

Liverpool’s Braithwaite took the contest at around two weeks notice, yet left the ring with many believing he’d done enough to win.

I had Ahmed, from Bordesley Green, edging it on industry…just. One thing’s for sure – the contest served-up non-stop action.

The local favourite’s frustration is understandable.

That’s the third time he’s drawn in British title fights. He and Quaise Khademi had previously featured in two stalemates.

The Khademi saga has now been replaced by the Braithwaite saga.

Ijaz, aged 30, told me today: “And the time I was disappointed and I do feel hard done by. However, I’ve had time to look at it (the Braithwaite fight), weigh-up the options and I’m giving it another go.

“The change of opponent happened at such short notice we didn’t have enough time to prepare for the change of opponent.

“This time we’ll have a full camp and so will he, but I know for a fact he was fit (last time). Even if you’re not in a full camp, you’re in the gym, still training, the weight is still off. Maybe he was training for a fight, only he knows that.

“It’s Ramadan. As soon as it’s over, I’ll be back in the gym and speak about a date.”

Ijaz added: “Some of the decisions I’ve had, you feel like hanging up the gloves, but you have a bit of time to think about it and regroup.

“Everything happens for a reason and it was not God’s plan at that moment. Keep plugging away and if it’s written, it will happen. If it’s not, it won’t.

“I’m a very religious person, I take my religion very seriously.

“When the rematch is confirmed, we’ll start putting a game plan together.”