Shazad Amran reckons he’s on the fast track to success after teaming up with Shaun Cogan for his professional boxing journey.
His paid bow comes at the Eastside Rooms, on Woodcock Street in Birmingham, as part of BCB’s closest card to Christmas, with a festive fight night set for Thursday December 22.
Amran, from Burton-on-Trent, regularly makes the trip, by train, from his hometown to Birmingham, where ex-pro Cogan’s gym is based.
Brummie Cogan was a contender for Midlands and Commonwealth honours, in his own pro career, and has got his newest charge an introductory fight date in the second city.
Arman’s grounding came with Burton Boxing Club, where he started at the age of 13, undertaking his first amateur bout a year later.
His amateur career ended with an unspectacular four wins from 14 bouts, although he did claim a silver medal at the 2016 Haringey Box Cup.
The 24-year-old super featherweight has whipped himself into great shape, to get himself ready for a return to the ring, and is feeling in buoyant mood.
He said: “I train in Digbeth with Shaun (Coogan, coach), I get the train to Birmingham every day so I can get to the gym. Sometimes, I do two sessions a day when I’m there.
“I’m Burton born and bred, I’m married and my family live there, so that’s where I’m going to stay. I like Shaun’s style of coaching, though, so I want to carry on with him as well.
“We’ve been working hard together and I’m so much fitter now than I was. I put a lot of weight on, because of the pandemic, but I’ve lost it all again. That’s 24kg in total!
“I’m buzzing just thinking about my debut. If I can do good, pull it off and I’m looking like a seasoned fighter, in the process, then I must have something there.
“Ever since I started boxing, I knew I had the pedigree to be good at it. I’ve sacrificed a lot and it can be a struggle, but I’m determined to get to the top level.
“I wanted to turn pro just before Covid started (2020), so I’ve been waiting nearly three years for this! I got married that October, in a garden with a marquee, so it was a small event.
“I’m the oldest of seven children, we are a big family and I’m very close to them. I’m away with training, a lot, and they are very supportive.
“I’ve got tunnel vision, with what I want to achieve. I’m in the pro game for learning, initially, and then we will see what I can do from there.
“It’s time to switch on. When I get in there, I’ll have a full bag of tricks. I’m more of a boxer and my boxing IQ is high. I’ve soaked everything up that I’ve been told.”
Tickets for the Eastside Rooms bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
