Uddin: I want to be covered in title belts

Hamza…big-hitting flyweight being tipped for big things. Pic: Matchroom

HAMZA Uddin, the Walsall pocket rocket with pure dynamite in each fist, is being tipped for very big things.

And the 20-year-old has no doubt his career will live up to those heady expectations. The flyweight may be short on stature, but he’s certainly not short on confidence.

Uddin, a former all-conquering amateur who bagged eight national titles, speaks with a self-belief reminiscent of Prince Naseem in his pomp.

And he possesses the former world featherweight champ’s appetite for showmanship in the ring. Uddin – a boxer with a huge following - shimmers, shuffles and fires strange shots from strange angles.

But he disagrees with those who dub him “cocky”. “I just tell it as it is,” he stressed during our interview. “I deliver on what I say.”

Some would buckle under the weight of expectation on Uddin’s shoulders. He relishes it. “I think it’s my time,” he said matter-of-factly. “I love the attention and spotlight.

“Some of the showboating is because of that, because I’m putting a show on for a lot of people.”

Uddin is certainly being groomed for stardom, having signed with mighty promoters Matchroom. That means his apprenticeship is being served on major TV shows, not in the small hall shadows.

As a good-looking KO artist who flogs plenty of tickets, he has a lot going for him.

And the man who carries the ring nickname “Thriller” certainly made an explosive start in the paid ranks by demolishing Santiago San Eusebio with one mighty left hook in April.

In fight number two, at the Genting Arena last month, Uddin had to settle for a landslide points win over Giulio Commerso. It was a typical Uddin performance – heavy shots and showboating. The Spaniard, who entered the ring with only one loss in four, possessed a remarkable ability to soak-up punishment.

Of that performance, Uddin said: “To be fair, I’m always critical – I never given myself 10 out of 10. I showed a different part of my game, I showed skills and sharpness.”

A stellar amateur career led many within the game to dub Hamza an exceptional talent. He now intends to storm the professional game.

“Since I became a senior (in the amateurs) and the headguard came off, I haven’t lost,” he said. “It’s been ages since I lost.

“I am a flyweight, which is ironic because I haven’t boxed as a flyweight since I turned pro.” Uddin’s reputation makes finding bouts at his natural weight difficult.

“The power I have is God given power – sparring partners have been rolled over. Flyweights aren’t supposed to have power, you don’t expect to see someone flattened. My power is real.

“Eddie (Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn) is a massive fan of me. He wants me out (on shows) all the time.

“When I signed with Matchroom I said I wanted to be a world champion at multiple weight divisions. I want to be strapped up in 10 different belts – round my shoulders, round my waist…”

Uddin is yet to conquer the world, but he’s already a known name in his home town.

“I’m a mini celebrity in Walsall,” he added. “I can’t go out for a takeaway any more without being stopped. I like it.

“Walsall hasn’t got many boxers, so I’m not just fighting for myself, I’m fighting for the town.”

As a parting shot, the sport’s latest Golden Boy laughed: “I want you at all my fights. Make sure you’ve got your passport ready because I could be fighting in Saudi Arabia.”

Hamza Uddin can talk the talk. He’ll need stiffer tests before we really know if he can walk the walk.

The journey is certainly going to be fun.