Ijaz Ahmed reckons that justice will be done if he can claim the British and Commonwealth super flyweight titles.
His latest opportunity is upcoming at Dudley Town Hall, when fight night arrives there on Friday (March 17), hosted by BCB Promotions. It will be the first time that the British title has been contested for 32 years. Last time out Tipton’s Roy Skeldon was stopped by Leeds’ Crawford Ashley for the light heavyweight version of the Lord Lonsdale belt. The Commonwealth strap will also now be up for grabs.
‘Jazzy’ is looking to seize the vacant honours at the third time of asking, after two tugs-of-war with Kaisy Khademi both ended in 12-round draws.
Ahmed does hold a victory over Khademi, though, having outpointed him for the IBF and WBO European baubles, at super fly, in their maiden encounter, over 10 rounds.
The 29-year-old Brummie, from Bordesley Green, has been due to make it a quartet of contests with Khademi, for the British crown, only for his opponent to withdraw twice.
In comes Liverpool’s Marcel Braithwaite to fill the breach, another old rival from Ahmed’s amateur career, who has held the English strap and challenged for the British title.
Ahmed, who represented the St Francis Boxing Club, in Handsworth, as an amateur, held and defended the Midlands flyweight title once, before going up a division.
His pro record stands at 10 wins and two losses, alongside that duo of stalemates with Khademi, with a fifth round TKO registered against Alejandro Torres last year.
Only Brett Fidoe and Harvey Horn have beaten Ahmed, in a paid ring, with Khademi now out of the reckoning to decide the new British boss.
Ahmed said: “He’s injured again and it’s not the first pull-out from him. I got the feeling that he’d end up not fighting and I was proved right.
“First it was due for December 3 and then March 3, so I’ve been in training since November and, of course, I don’t want to let that fitness go.
“There’s also Ramadan (from March 22 to April 21) for me to consider, so I had to get this in before then. I’m ready and raring to go.
“I was asked if I wanted a replacement opponent and we took that to the board (British Boxing Board of Control). The title is vacant and I deserve my chance.
“As far as Kaisy Khademi goes, I’ve beaten him and, in my opinion, won the other two against him, but I didn’t get the decision. I should already be the British champion.
“He’s been in the way of me progressing in my career and all credit to Marcel Braithwaite for stepping up and taking on the challenge. He will go in there confident, the same as me.
“Our paths have crossed before, when we boxed in the amateurs (England Elite Championships). If I’m honest, I think I beat him two rounds to one (three-rounder).
“He got the victory over me, on that occasion, but it was a long time ago now. We have both come on a lot, since then, and me getting this title is long overdue.
“My tactics won’t change. I’ll just get my head on, do my thing and take care of each round. There will be no slacking from me and there’s nowhere to hide.
“To get my hands on the British title would mean the world to me, it’s what every boxer wants to do. I’ll show that I’m capable of achieving that.”
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