Fantastic four progress to national semi-finals
The small town of Dewsbury is building up quite a reputation on the amateur boxing scene after four fighters from the area progressed into the semi-finals of the England Boxing National Junior Championships.
Adeeb Ajmal, Amaar Akbar, Subhaan Mohammed and Moqeet Rehman will all compete in Portsmouth this weekend after success in their respected weight-division’s quarter-final contests.
Ajmal, boxing out of KBW, is currently competing in the 78kg category despite only having three competitive bouts under his belt.
Facing off against much more experienced opponents, the relative newcomer to the sport is hoping to secure his first national title after receiving a bye in the semi-finals to progress to the final.
Clubmate, Mohammed, who previously reached the quarter finals in the same competition, is through to the semis after securing a unanimous points victory against Stocksbridge’s Joe Armer.
Making it a hat-trick for KBW is Rahman. His good form this season continued after defeating Sam Turner, of Croxteth Boxing Club, in Liverpool. A heavy handed fight saw both boxers land heavy blows yet it was a point’s decision that eventually gave Rahman the win.
The fourth boxer from Dewsbury, making the trip down to the south coast will be Akbar. The Warrior Breed Boxing Club representative is looking for his second national title this season.
He has already knocked off the challenges of Harry Fryer and Owen Rees, the latter boxing out of the famous Birtley Boxing Club – to secure his place at the semi-finals.
Shammy Cheema, from KBW, said the young competitors had all done the local area proud.
“It is a remarkable achievement considering Dewsbury has never been known as a predominant boxing tow, compared to the likes of Leeds and Sheffield for example,” he said.
“To have four boxers reach such late stages of a national competition is something that only usually happens in large cities.
“All of them will now be heading to Portsmouth this weekend to box in the semis and look to bring the national titles back to Dewsbury.”
