Huddersfield Gladiators Boxing Academy should be confident of success at the amateur show on November 7, as they will have three strong competitors in action at the Burlington Club in Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham.
Debutant Jacob Quinn takes on KBW’s Kassim Hussain at 60kg in the Featherweight division, Connor Doyle also fights a KBW representative, Mohammed Hussain, at 48kg in a light fly-weight contest and, at 52kg, Ammar Akbar goes head-to-head against Hawzeen Azeez from Parsons Cross.
Quinn is looking forward to impressing the viewers as he steps in the ring for the first time.
The Holmfirth boxer has worked hard for this opportunity and will make sure he grabs it with both hands by showing to trainers that he is a worthy recipient.
“This opportunity is a long time in coming, I was supposed to fight a guy a few weeks ago but he pulled out”, said Quinn.
“I believe no-one puts more effect in training than me for an amateur anyway.”
Quinn trained in Rawthorpe before joining the academy in Linthwaite. Being taught the basics and fundamentals of boxing by Chris Aston, support from the professionals has helped him thrive in training and now he wants to replicate that form inside the ropes.
“I have learnt a lot, I thought I knew everything about boxing before coming here but I was wrong,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe it when I first trained with Tyrone (Nurse), he inspires me. In Rotherham I will show people what I am capable of, I want to please the fans and be noticed”.
Doyle is a keen learner and hopes to climb the boxing ladder quickly but first he must showcase his skills at amateur level.
“I am hoping to become a professional in the coming years; I need to be challenging for Yorkshire titles which will help get more fans behind me,” said Doyle.
With dad, Dennis, a trainer at the gym, it is good for the 17-year-old’s development as he keeps an eye on his fitness and training.
“It helps working with my dad, I can’t cheat myself if he is there, so there is no hiding – I need to be on my game at all times,” he said.
“I also look up to professionals like Ismail Anwar and Tyrone to inspire me. Also, I learn from their mistakes because you can’t get too complacent.”
With role models of his own, Doyle wants to set an example for the boxers younger than him at Gladiators.
Already having five fights under the belt is good experience at home but a contest outside Huddersfield will provide a different challenge.
“I will be nervous but I am confident. With people paying to watch me it provides pressure, but I enjoy it because I like to be the centre of attention,” he added.
Like Doyle and Quinn, Akbar’s attention will also be on a good performance in the quest to be a star of tomorrow.
The show is this Friday, November 7, at the Burlington Club in Rotherham and tickets are on the door for £10.
