Sohail Ahmad spars with English champ Mitchell Smith in preparation for October 11 fight
Unbeaten light welterweight, Sohail ‘Showstar’ Ahmad 4(1)-0-0 was put through his paces by English super featherweight champ, Mitchell ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ Smith 9(4)-0-0 in preparation for the Afghan boxer’s fifth professional fight on October 11 at the York Hall, London.
Speaking afterwards from SW Gym in Essex, Ahmad reflected, “I sparred with Mitchell Smith who holds the Southern Area and English super featherweight titles. It was a top quality and educational sparring session for me, especially ahead of my fight on October 11th.”
Mitchell Smith known as the Baby Faced Assassin, ranked in the top ten in the UK defeated Peter Cope at the York Hall last July to become the English super featherweight champion, winning all ten rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards and knocking his opponent down in the sixth round thus becoming the first blemish upon the southpaw from Hartlepool’s record.
The pair will be planning on having many more sparring sessions together, Ahmad stated, “We will be working together from now on as we are a good match for each other and because he is someone that I can learn from and improve on my boxing.”
Londoner Ahmad, originally from Afghanistan, used the sparring session as vital preparation in his training for forthcoming fight with Kristian Dochev, known as ‘The Warrior’ from Razgrad, Bulgaria in a four round contest on October 11 at the York Hall. Coming into this fight off the back of a stoppage win over Graham Fearn last September at the York Hall means that Ahmad will be brimming with confidence and looking to continue the momentum in this next bout. Caution will be required, however, as 21-year-old, Dochev has four TKO’s on his ledger and has lasted the distance with prospects Keiron Farrell, Rakeem Noble, Ohara Davies, Luke Paddock and Adam Dingsdale. Commenting on his forthcoming foe, Ahmad said, “It's a tough fight for me and I need to stay focused and stick to the game plan and need to learn from this fight. We had a great training camp and have been learning new things with my trainer, Rod Julian in RJ’s Gym.” The fight is part of a packed Goodwin Sports show titled ‘The Natural Time’ featuring three title fights headlined by Prizefighter winner, Larry ‘The Natural’ Ekundayo as he enters into his first title fight when he takes on Stanislav Nenkov for the International Masters welterweight title. This will be the first time a Nigerian boxer has been the main event at the York Hall when Ekundayo 7(2)-0-0 takes on Stanislav Nenkov 11(1)-8(3)-0, also from Razgrad, Bulgaria in a ten round International Masters welterweight contest.
Chief support on the bill comes in the form of Ilford’s “The Green Machine” Kevin Greenwood 5-4(1)-0 as he competes for his first title when he challenges for the International Masters super middleweight title against Nikolay Kolyandov 4(1)-6(3)-0 from Bulgaria. Joint chief support fight features Saint George Jupp 9(3)-2-0 defends his recently attained International Masters super featherweight title in a 10 round contest against an unconfirmed opponent. John Cash 3(1)-0-0, 23-years-old from Hitchin looks to extend his unbeaten run to four out of four against Danny Shannon 1-3-1 over six rounds at light middleweight.
Johnny Garton 11(1)-1(1)-0 looks to bounce back after his Prizefighter disappointment in April this year losing to Sam Eggington in the quarter-finals due to a severe cut above the right eye in second round head clash. The No.1 ranked Bulgarian welterweight, Vasil Vasilev 4-10(4)-0 is the chosen opponent for The Pexican over six rounds.
Light middleweights Paul and Sonny Upton and light welterweight, Anthony Upton known collectively as The Upton Clan all compete over four rounds. The brothers are all based in Manchester, trained and managed by The Hitman Ricky Hatton.
Sidcup’s super featherweight, Martin Hillman 2-1-0 is up against Sheffield’s Ryan Hanson 0-3(1)-0 over four rounds. 31-year-old light heavyweight, Remel Scott 1-1(1)-0 is keen to double his win ratio as he competes in a four round contest with middleweight Jimmy White 0-2(1)-0 meeting at super middleweight level. Scott suffered a shock loss last time out but has now moved down a weight to super middleweight and changed trainers to Rod Julian. The team are expecting a much different fighter in Scott this time.
Debutant Jose Lopes embarks upon his first pro outing against an unconfirmed opponent over four rounds at cruiserweight. The 24-year-old Dagenham lad nicknamed ‘The Look’ is just that, he certainly looks the part in top condition and ready to win over the York Hall faithful in his pro debut.
30-year-old Surrey light heavyweight, Jason Turner 1-0-0 takes on seasoned veteran, Elvis Dube 6(5)-27(3)-1 in a four round light heavyweight contest. Turner will be looking to double his win ratio but Derbyshire’s Dube comes into the fight confidently after recently stopping Remel Scott, knocking him down three times before referee, Jeff Hinds called a halt to the contest at 1:38 into the third round at the York Hall in July.
Tickets are priced at £35, £60 and £100 and are available directly from the Showstar Team on 07554 665 407. As well as standard, unreserved and ringside tickets you can also purchase £100 VIP tickets which provide a guaranteed ringside seat in the first two rows and a free private bar from 5pm until 7.30pm which also includes food.
Sohail would like to thank his sponsor, Universal Alliance Group www.universalalliancegroup.co.uk and PR Manager Tim Rickson.
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