Beeston boxer has eyes on national stage
A boxer’s first year as a senior is so often the defining year for their sporting career. Will they make it to the big time or will they struggle to make an impact outside of the junior divisions?
For Leeds boxer, Ismail Khan, his inaugural term in the ‘big leagues’ couldn’t have gone much better, with his latest call up to a Great Britain assessment camp the icing on the cake.
Over the past 12 months, the 18-year-old Bradford College student has won the English elite title belt, the northern belt and made it to the final of the Senior Elite Championships – despite being the youngest competitor.
This weekend he will face off against representatives from across Great Britain as he takes his position as the England representative in the Three Nations in Dunfermline, Scotland.
After a whirlwind rise in the sport, Khan says he is ready for any challenge which may lie ahead.
“It’s been an amazing start to my first year as a senior and it’s only getting better,” he said.
“I will perform to the best of my ability in the Three Nations and that will hopefully result in me getting a place on team GB.
“There are busy times ahead and I am more than ready.”
Khan fights out of the KBW Boxing Gym in Dewsbury and is coached by his father, Rash.
The close-knit family team say they have high hopes for the near and distant future with national international stages calling for the local big hitter.
“In his first senior year, he’s succeeded way beyond my expectations,” Rash said. “He’s really had an amazing year and excelled so much.
“I think there is even more to come for him yet and we couldn’t have asked for a better year.”
Success in the GB assessment could potentially see Khan signed up to the GB Podium squad with such a move potentially opening doors to future Commonwealth and Olympic opportunities.
“That’s our goal,” Rash added. “If he keeps training and developing his technique the way he has been, I don’t see why he can’t go all the way.”
