Shabir’s set to thaw the ice at Planet Ice

Shabir Haidary…fresh from a demolition job in Swindon

AMONGST the talent on display at Tommy Owens’ marathon Planet Ice, Solihull, show this Saturday, one rising star, in particular, is worth witnessing.

Shair Haidary, the self-styled Afghan Warrior, looks set for a bright and explosive career. The 24-year-old junior-lightweight is a human whirlwind in the ring. The southpaw’s red-hot style threatens to melt the ice at the rink.

Haidary warmed up for this weekend’s encounter by demolishing Elicier Quezada at the MECA hall, Swindon, on Saturday, June 3.

The Spanish based Nicaraguan is no slouch. He came into the ring with 40 bouts under his belt, more wins than losses – 24 and three draws – and has mixed in good company, although his best days were at flyweight.

But he had no answer to Haidary’s buzzsaw style. Haidary simply slung leather until Quezada wilted on the ropes in the fourth and final round. A storm of hooks to head and body connected before referee Lee Every stepped in at one minute, seven seconds.

That’s Haidary’s fourth win on the spin and his second stoppage. He has the style and amateur background to go far.

Based in Gloucester, Shabir told me: “You’ll see fireworks on Saturday for sure. Before the Swindon fight, I’d been away for a long time (he last fought in November, gaining a six round points decision), but I’ve stayed sharp.

 “I’m going all the way. I’m in it to win it – if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t bother.

“English, Commonwealth, British, European…all the way to world level. If I didn’t think I could achieve that I wouldn’t do it.”

He added: “I always wanted to go pro. I’ve always had a pro’s style. There are things that can be improved on, but we are an unfinished book.”