‘BK’ joins Boxing Connected
Talented amateur Bolu Kareem has joined Paul Webb and the Boxing Connected promotional team as he plans to begin his professional boxing journey.
East London-born Kareem will be trained and managed by Paul Webb under the Boxing Connected banner, as he plans to go up in front of the British Board as soon as possible.
As an amateur, Kareem operated at light-heavyweight and won 14 from 18 bouts, with five stoppages, collecting the British Universities & Sport Colleges light-heavyweight title in 2012. He also tested himself in the unlicensed circuit, where he KO’d nine opponents from 14 fights, with just two losses.
As a pro, ‘BK’ is training at Hockwell Ring in Luton with trainer and manager Paul Webb, alongside gymmate Kay Prospere (14-1-1, 7KOs), who is the current English super-lightweight champion.
The debutant was poised to turn pro back in July 2019, but a few things got in his way at the time, he explained, “I’ve moved around a bit but now I’m settled in Luton. I’ve done a few odd jobs here and there, like warehouse work and sales, but was made redundant recently because of the pandemic. Just been training hard with Paul [Webb] since being in Luton.”
Bolu grew up in Upton Park until his family relocated to Stevenage, which is where he first walked into a boxing gym, but the youngster has since lived in Kent and Birmingham with various family members until his latest move to Luton.
Kareem revealed how the connection with his trainer Paul Webb materialised, “He called me a while ago before I was even thinking of turning professional and he told me how I’m capable of winning titles, but I was never really around that area and I had to move around to different places a lot.
“Then I just gave him a call one day; I knew him from a long, long time ago, but for one reason or other I wasn’t in a position to be training in Luton, but now that’s all changed.
“They’ve got a pretty good set up. The plan is to work my way up through the British rankings and obviously the main goal is to get my hands on a Southern Area title first, then defend it as soon as I can.”
Part of Boxing Connected, who also promote boxing events in Kent, Yorkshire and Doncaster, Webb hosts shows in Luton at the Dunstable Conference Centre with promoter Joe Elfidh. The expanding Boxing Connected stable boasts three Prizefighter finalists, as well Southern Area and English champions.
Boxing Connected hosted their first Luton-based event last October and followed up with another one in March this year, headlined by Kay Prospere as he defended his English championship to Bilal Rehman (13-2, 4KOs) vis unanimous decision, just two weeks before lockdown.
The current climate doesn’t provide a very positive prospect for many small hall fighters to look forward to presently, however.
“I haven’t got a specific date yet, and I know it’s tricky at the moment, but Paul is my manager as well as my trainer and he’s trying to pull a few strings to get me out a soon as possible.”
News of BK’s debut will be announced soon.
You can follow Bolu Kareem on Instagram here: @bk_boxing3
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