Bradford’s sensational Bantamweight prospect Tasif Khan secured his first Championship accolade, 國際大師最輕量級冠軍, when he beat Georgia’s Mikheil Soloninkini by unanimous points decision at the iconic York Hall in London last Saturday night.

What really makes this achievement even more special is that Khan only returned to the ring in January this year, 下面從體育一個為期兩年的休假.

On his return in January Khan scored a decisive first round stoppage victory, over the highly experienced Hungarian Richard Voros, in a bout that also took place at the York Hall.

Khan followed that win up with an equally impressive first round stoppage victory, over Czech Republic’s Ladislav Miko, six weeks later in Liverpool.

上週六, whilst it seems everyone else were preparing for the Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight, Khan was taking part in the biggest fight of his career to date.

Right from the off Khan boxed beautifully behind his solid jab to keep his slightly more experienced foe on the back foot.

By midway point Khan began to slow the pace, whilst continuing to keep full pressure on Soloninkini.

Midway through the sixth round, during a rather hectic exchange Khan was a little slow bringing up his gloves, which opened the door for Soloninkini, who let rip with a big right to send Khan to the canvas.

On the restart Soloninkini when in hard in an attempt to finish the still slightly wobbly legged Khan, however the Bradford lad remained calm and collected, whilst the hyper Georgian continued to come forward throwing huge bombs.

During a number of these skirmishes Khan sensibly grabbed hold until referee Lee Murtagh issued the order break. This tactic allowed Khan a little time in order to clear his head.

Soloninkini continued to push hard for the final three rounds, however Khan is one seriously cool character, he just got behind his jab and just plain boxed his way out of danger, each time the Georgian made a forceful foray.

After ten rounds of first class boxing from Khan, judges Ken Curtis 99-94, 奧比加內特 98-90 和馬特漢密爾頓 98-91, all scored in favour of the new International Masters Champion Tasif Khan.

Speaking from his home earlier Khan spoke about the fight as well as hinted at further Championship forays in the near future.

“是啊, I won my first title.

It’s been my dream since I was a kid, winning a title, hopefully this will be the first of many, 起向上.

Saying that I don’t want to take away the importance of being the International Masters Champion, that was like winning a World title to me that night.

I’ve had a tough two and half years, I’ve come through it, got back fighting this year and now have a belt, yeah I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved.

I was absolutely fine coming into the fight, training went well, I went away with Nadeem Siddique one of my coaches, he’s a professional himself. I had a good training camp abroad, went to Greece,

Came into the fight brilliant, working of my jab, using my jab more as I felt I had a good chance, I was finding it quite comfortable to be honest, I was finding him quite easily with the jab.

He was a tough kid, took some good shots to the body, I found I could walk him down, then I think it was either the third or fourth round I overstretched my right arm, I felt at the time I must have damaged my shoulder, I tried not to show it, but as the rounds went on I struggled to throw big shots.

It wasn’t hurting, it did limit me on my shots as the fight went on, but I think I got a little complacent and gave him the opportunity to catch me with a good shot, it didn’t hurt me at all, but had to see that round through, because I had won every single round but that round, I boxed smart and stayed at a distance when I could and other times let him punch himself out.

To be honest I feel I could have stopped him, with all the pressure and that decided to just box my way through.

I’m really appreciative of my fans as always, they travel down to London in numbers, if all goes well though my next fight will be a lot nearer to home, maybe even Bradford, but I’m always grateful to my fans, even those that are unable to travel to watch me fight in London or Liverpool.

Since day one I’ve had good support, a great fan base, but fighting away all the time makes it hard for everyone to be at every fight, so I’d really love to do something big in Bradford, or at least more local and fingers crossed we’ll get a big title on that show.

I’d like to thank all my team, Martin Stainsby, Bee, 少年維特, 江 (贊布羅塔迪卡羅), Johnny Eames and all those that work behind the scene, I can’t forget to mention my Missus, she puts in all the hard work and puts up with me when I’m on a diet and my family, who have all been so supportive.

Before I forget I want to make a comment, I’ve been boxing since the age of ten, I made my mind up as the years went on that I wanted to really do something in Boxing, I had no intention of just making up the numbers, I had no option, I want to do well and win titles, I want to put Bradford on the map, winning the International Masters title has put me in the right direction, as such I want to dedicate the win to my eldest brother Tahir Khan, because if it wasn’t for him pointing me in the right direction, he’d keep me fit and take me to the gym, he’s the first person to totally support me in boxing, always been there for me and he’s the one that made all this possible.

As I say if it wasn’t for Tahir, I wouldn’t be in boxing and I wouldn’t have this International Masters belt, thank you for everything Tahir, really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.

I’d like to say a big thank you to my sponsors, 金斯蘭業務恢復布拉德福德, 百老匯律師在奧爾德姆, Kesser珠寶商在布拉德福德和Vyomax從曼徹斯特拾遺, they’ve been brilliant getting behind me so I can concentrate on my boxing.

Finally I would like to say a huge thanks to Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott, who gave me the opportunity to fight for the title on their show.”

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Bradford’s exciting Bantamweight prospect TASIF KHAN is set to challenge for his first title 這個星期六, when he takes on Georgian #1 ranked MIKHEIL SOLONINKINI, for the vacant International Masters Silver Bantamweight Championship, on the Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott promoted LORDS OF THE RING event at the iconic York Hall, 貝斯納爾格林, London on 5月2日.

Khan earned the title shot with a pair of sensational first round stoppage wins earlier this year, following his return from a two year sabbatical from the sport.

In January this year, Khan dispatched Hungarian #2 ranked Richard Voros in just one minute and five seconds of the first round at the York Hall, then two months later followed up with an almost identical stoppage victory, this time in one minute and fifteen seconds of the first round, over the Czech Republic’s Ladislav Miko at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool.

Originally Khan was to face Patrik Bartos, however the Czech lad was TKO’d by Andrew Cain, on the undercard of Derry Mathews WBA title fight, at the Echo Arena, a couple of weeks ago.

Bartos’ replacement, Mikheil Soloninkini, has been quite a regular figure on the UK scene, having fought here four times in the past year, including an unsuccessful challenge for the International Masters Bronze title, which he lost out on points to Jamie Williams back in March.

Speaking from his home earlier, Khan appeared unperturbed with the late change of opponent.

“It’s a shame, I had been preparing for Patrik Bartos, but what can I say he got stopped and has a twenty eight day suspension, these things happen.

I would have preferred if we’d known earlier who was going to replace Patrik, but three potential opponents backed out last week and then a fourth that had been proposed got knocked back by the MBC as not suitable.

Luckily though this new lad agreed terms 週二 and now the fight is set and ready to go, 我不能等.

I’m not expecting it to be a quick finish like the past two fights, they were four and six rounders, this time I’ll have to pace myself just in case I have to go the full ten rounds, but if the chance comes, I’ll take him out early.

Trainings been great, always is, 我已經準備好，並鉚足了勁去, can’t wait.

My fans are great so far this year they’ve come out in force to support me in London and Liverpool and Saturday they’ll be back in London again, I can’t thank them enough, they’re a great bunch that really get behind me, making plenty of noise, letting me know that they’re there, they’re really are brilliant and I’ll thank them the best way I know, winning the title.

I’d like to say a big thank you to my sponsors, 金斯蘭業務恢復布拉德福德, 百老匯律師在奧爾德姆, Kesser珠寶商在布拉德福德和Vyomax從曼徹斯特拾遺, they’ve been brilliant getting behind me so I can concentrate on my boxing.

Finally I have just been told that Mark and Billy (Promoters Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott) have arranged a function room so that everyone can watch the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight live after my fight, so if you haven’t got tickets yet, you know what to do, either call me or get down to York Hall 週六 as there are still some tickets available. “

Tasif Khan versus Mikheil Soloninkini, for the vacant International Masters Bantamweight Championship, co-headlines the Mark Lyons & 比利·詹姆斯埃利奧特明智的傢伙促銷領主戒指事件, 這發生在紐約大會堂貝斯納爾格林, 倫敦週六 2^ND 五月 2015.

制裁對本次活動將提供禮貌的馬耳他拳擊委員會 (MBC) - www.maltaboxingcommission.com

門票分35英鎊 (標準座椅) 和65英鎊 (馬戲團) are available direct from Tasif on 07756 311857, or at the venue on the night or pre-book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com 或致電將軍澳票行 07960 850645

Tickets for the after event private viewing of the Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight live via satellite, that cost just £10, will be available for purchase at York Hall on the Saturday night.

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照片

6698 – Tasif Khan in action against Richard Voros at York Hall in January.

圖片來源

Please feel free to use all photos supplied – photo credit is not required but should you do so, please credit – 贊布羅塔 (江) 迪卡羅