Matchroom Boxing are delighted to announce the signing of Bantamweight contender Kash Farooq on a multi-fight promotional deal.
Nicknamed ‘The Untouchable’, Farooq (13-1 6 KOs) debuted in 2015 at just 19, winning a comfortable points decision in Glasgow.
The now 23-year-old notched five more points victories consecutively, before securing his first stoppage victory as a professional in September 2017, dismantling Bulgaria’s Georgi Andonov in the first round setting himself up for his first shot at a title in the paid ranks.
Farooq took this opportunity with both hands, stopping Scottish compatriot Scott Allan in the eighth to claim the Scottish Area title at 118lbs to move 8-0.
His knockout run continued into 2018, disposing of Jose Hernandez in the second round before stopping Jamie Wilson in the first three minutes to scoop the vacant British title, an admirable achievement in just his tenth pro outing.
Two more defences of the prestigious British crown followed, before Farooq would face his toughest challenge to date against former amateur teammate, unbeaten Commonwealth Champion Lee McGregor.
The fight did not fail to live up to the expectation, a 12 round war between the pair ensued with Mcgregor getting the nod with a heavily debated split decision win.
There is the potential of some big fights in 2020 for Farooq, who will be hoping to return to winning ways early in the new year.
“Eddie first contacted my manager about a week and a half after the McGregor fight,” said Farooq. “It was really exciting to hear that Eddie was watching my fight, he thought that I won the fight as well. I’m really excited to be part of the team now and I can’t wait to get started under the Matchroom Boxing banner.
“I came to Glasgow in 2002, I was born in Pakistan. I’ve been in Glasgow about 17 or 18 years. It’s been my home for a long time and I’d rather be there than anywhere in the world. Its been great to me, the people are great and I’ve loved every minute. I’d love to bring some more big fights to the city.
“Going into the McGregor fight, he was always the bigger name, everyone knew who he was down south. I surprised a lot of people with my style. I proved that I’m a threat at the weight. I was really confident going into the fight and I thought I did enough to win. I put on a great performance but it just went the other way. I’ve just got to move on. This is boxing and things like that happen all the time.
“For me it’s all about moving on, keeping my head up and not letting things like that keep me down. I would love to get the rematch but do I think it’s going to happen in the next fight? No. I would love it down the line somewhere though. Now it’s all about winning and getting better and better every fight. I’m always learning. You only stop learning once you retire. I’ll get better every fight and this is just the start for me. New fans can expect a fan friendly style from me, a clever style. You’ll see something different, that’s all I can say.”
“I’m delighted to welcome Kash to the team,” said Eddie Hearn. “He is a special talent that really impressed me last time out and I believe he has so much potential in the sport. He will be back in a title fight in the spring and I look forward to many exciting fights with him in Scotland and around the world.”
DEBUTANTS OUT TO IMPRESS ON JD NXTGEN SHOW
Ignatius and Nadim set to join the pro ranks at York Hall
Franklin Ignatius and Ibrahim Nadim will be hoping to impress on their professional debuts on Thursday’s JD NXTGEN show at York Hall topped by the vacant British Cruiserweight title clash between unbeaten contenders Richard Riakporhe and Jack Massey, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.
Ignatius, a former London ABA Champion and Harringey Box Cup winner, will make his debut at Heavyweight after representing the renowned Repton Boxing Club during a short 20-fight amateur career.
Managed by Charlie Sims, the 24-year-old from Dagenham is excited by the thriving Heavyweight landscape and feels that now is the perfect time for him to throw his hat into the mix.
“It’s the right time for me to turn pro,” said Ignatius. “My mum passed away this year and she told me it was the right time for me to turn pro before she passed. She knew my coach very well and she was always at my fights supporting me. I’ve got a very supportive family.
“The Heavyweight scene is very interesting right now and I feel like it’s the right time for me to come in there and make some noise. I’m a student of the game and I love the sport. I love Larry Holmes’ jab but at the same time I’m a big fan of the way Ezzard Charles boxed. My favourite fighter of all time has to be James Toney, he was a big inspiration to me.”
Former Bury ABC fighter Ibrahim Nadim will make his professional debut in a four round Super-Bantamweight contest after signing with British fight legend and former two-weight World Champion Ricky Hatton earlier this year.
The 20-year-old from Keighley in Bradford, West Yorkshire is hoping to emulate ‘The Hitman’ in the paid code after a successful spell as an amateur that saw him win a number of titles.
“I wanted to turn pro and I’d seen Ricky working with other prospects and he looked really good on the pads,” said Nadim. “I reached out to Ricky and his team and we’ve been working with each other for a few months now.
“As an amateur I won three national titles, schoolboys, youths and then the seniors. I won a senior GB title as well. My favourite fighter growing up was Amir Khan and I’m a big fan of Lomachenko and Crawford now.”
Speaking earlier this year on Nadim, Hatton said: “I don’t want to put any pressure on such a young man’s shoulders. It is very very early days. He punches very well. He fights up close.”
Main event sees unbeaten Londoner Richard Riakporhe (10-0, 8 KOs) clash with Derbyshire’s undefeated Jack Massey (16-0, 8 KOs) for the vacant British Cruiserweight title, Crystal Palace Light-Heavyweight Craig Richards (15-1, 8 KOs) returns after his win over Andre Sterling in June, Luther Clay (12-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight title against Freddy Kiwitt (17-2, 10 KOs), Northampton’s Kieron Conway (13-1-1, 3 KOs) meets Dublin’s Craig O’Brien (11-1, 1 KO) in a 10 round Super-Welterweight contest, Watford Bantamweight Shannon Courtenay (4-0, 1 KO) looks to end the year in style, Sheffield Lightweight Donte Dixon aims to go 2-0 and Light-Heavyweight Malik Kareem makes his pro debut.