AMBREEN SADIQ - A KNOCKOUT INSPIRATION

Ambreen in a typical boxer's pose

Ambreen with the certificate she gained for winning a silver medal in the ABA nationals at Liverpool

 

Ambreen in action at the national semi-finals in Liverpool in December (above) and (below) Ambreen with former coaches Mark Robinson (left) and Naz Jalil.

 

 

MANY great boxers have entered the ring inspired by a determination to make someone special proud of them.

Mike Tyson never had the late Cus D'Amato - the veteran trainer who turned the boxer's troubled life around - far from his mind during his successful quest to become the youngest-ever heavyweight champion, and in his many defences thereafter.

And former world light-welterweight and welterweight king Ricky Hatton often cited a devoted young fan, James Bowes, who outlived a deadly brain disorder, as his big inspiration each time he stepped between the ropes.

For up and coming female amateur boxer AMBREEN SADIQ from Keighley, West Yorkshire, the person who motivates her most is even closer to home.

Three years ago the lives of Ambreen and her family were turned upside down when the boxer's brother Zeeshan was seriously injured in a road accident.

"We were devastated," she recalls. "We were told he had a 5% chance of living and even if he survived he would spend the rest of his life in bed.

"But Zeeshan proved the doctors wrong. Now he's talking, walking and he never stops smiling.

"He did suffer some brain damage which means he can't do some of the things he did before, but he's still made amazing progress.

"I was so upset by what happened I was going to give up boxing, but Zeeshan has pulled through so much, I've been inspired by him to continue.

"Now I want to achieve as much as I can in the sport for Zeeshan.

"He's my heart and soul and my inspiration when I step in the ring. He wants the best for me and I'll do everything I can to make him proud."

As well as having a very close brother-sister relationship, it is thanks to Zeeshan that Ambreen got into boxing in the first place.

"I first became involved in boxing when I was 13," she said.

"I was always into sports at school, I was a bit of a tomboy, and I was encouraged by my brother to go with him to the local club where he went with Muhammad Ali (now a top prospect and a world junior silver medallist).

"When I walked into the gym I was fascinated; I was like a kid in a candy store.

"I'd never been in a boxing gym before and all of a sudden I was seeing boxing gloves, boxing bags, I was hooked from that moment.

"I'd tried football, cricket, basketball before but from that first day boxing was the sport for me."

After initially working out on the pads and heavy bag, Ambreen began sparring, with her brother and others, then eight months later her coach suggested the possibility of a contest.

"I didn't even know women could box!," admitted Ambreen. "I'd been training more for the fun of it, but I soon decided I wanted to box competitively.

"My dad and mum were up for it - mum was a bit worried about me getting hurt at first - and my brother was really keen so I went for it.

"I struggled initially to get a fight in my age group and weight, but I had my first contest at 15 in Leeds, won it, and was named Boxer of the Night."

With Ambreen being Britain's first female Muslim boxer, Channel Four showed an interest and filmed her third bout.

Ambreen currently has a record of seven wins from 12 contests.

She was a national junior champion at 16 and won a silver at the senior nationals last December.

The Keighley fighter boxes in the 48-51kg category, the same weight as Britain's Olympic champion Nicola Adams.

Adams' former trainer, Bradford's renowned Alwyn Belcher, who once coached Naseem Hamed and Amir Khan, is a confirmed fan of Ambreen's skills.

"He's told me he wants me to take over from Nicola once she retires," said Ambreen.

"My main goal is to box at the 2020 Olympics and then turn pro."

While there has been no end of positive messages supporting Ambreen in her boxing career, she has had to overcome the prejudices of traditionalists who believe a Muslim woman has no place near a boxing ring.

"A lot of people were not very happy about it; I guess everyone's got an opinion," said Ambreen.

"But my mum and dad and my brother have always been behind me and I've proved people wrong by going out there and doing it."

As for role models, Ambreen cites two big boxing idols of her own.

"My female role model is Laila Ali (daughter of three-time world heavyweight champion the great Muhammad Ali)," she said.

"In the beginning her dad wasn't happy with her boxing, but she went on to become a world champion.

"I'm also a huge fan of Mike Tyson. I model my style a little bit on his and like to think I fight a little bit like he did."

Ambreen's inspirational story has been made into a stage play called No Guts, No Heart, No Glory.

It was performed at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival by the Common Wealth Theatre Group and will be on stage at the Theatre in the Mill, Bradford, from September 11-21 following a showcasing at Ambreen's own gym, Huggy's, in West Bowling.