Shabir closes in on his first pro crown

Shabir Haidary…fighter who believes he’s destined for the very top

THE hardship Shabir Haidary endured through childhood has honed a formidable fighter.

Gloucester is not known as a boxing hub, but it may have a real gem in Haidary, who fled war-torn Afghanistan as a 12-year-old.

The switch-hitting southpaw saved a baby from drowning as the crammed dinghy they were in approached the Greek coast.

Harrowing situations such as that have help hone a fighter who looks, at this stage, something special.

We’ll know more about how special on November 25 when featherweight Shabir, unbeaten in six, faces the biggest test of his short career.

At MECA, Swindon, the 25-year-old takes part in his first 10 rounder and competes for his first title, probably an international belt. An opponent has yet to be named.

Shabir told me: “I’m more than ready for it. I spar 10 rounds and my engine is good – I start the 10th round like the first.

“Fans can expect fireworks. I approach each fight with three aims – to win the fight, to enjoy the fight and to give the crowd value for money.”

A boxing coach by day, Shabir believes he’s destined for the top.

He said: “I’m made for the pros, 100 per cent. I’m learning so much sparring top lads, I’m jumping ahead of myself.

“Every boxer I’ve faced has come to have a go. We are going all the way, we haven’t even scratched the surface yet.”

If boxing glory was based on self-belief, Shabir would be nailed on for world honours.