Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
‘The Platinum Kid’ in line for Hamilton chance
Mandatory British light-welterweight title challenger Adil Anwar
is ready for his shot at the Lonsdale belt after a comprehensive ten-round win
over Dave Ryan on Saturday night in Aintree, Liverpool.
The 24 year-old, who scored his 17th professional
win at the famous racecourse, revealed to WBN that he broke his hand early on
in the fight and had to adjust his tactics to make sure he continued on the
path to victory.
“In all honesty it wasn’t my best performance. Without
taking any credit away from Ryan, I know I could have performed better and
probably ended the fight by way of knock out much earlier on,” Anwar told World
Boxing News.
“I must admit Ryan was a good challenger. He is clearly a
technician and I’m sure he has a successful future ahead of him.
“It was clear from the start he came into the ring focused
to win and I could tell throughout the rounds that he was giving it his all.
But from round three, one of my shots caught Ryan awkwardly and it turns out I
broke my hand! So from then on, I was in excruciating pain.
“Every punch I landed with my right sent shockwaves through
my body. It was hell. But I had to remain focused and even with a broken hand I
managed to put him down twice and finish the fight with a unanimous win.”
Anwar was on a
two-man shortlist to step in to face the then champion Ashley Theophane in the
run up the fight, but as the titlist chose Hamilton rather than the Leeds man,
Anwar isn't worried about not getting chance to fight the US-based Brit.
“Theophane’s fight was boring,” stated Anwar. “I have never
been excited by Theophane’s fights and found them all too rigid. I’m a stylist.
I grew up watching and admiring the likes of Ali, Prince Naseem and Amir Khan.
“I naturally developed to follow in my heroes footsteps and
adapt my style to create a show, entertain and get the crowd cheering.
“Theophane thought he had that fight in the bag and it was
extremely arrogant of him to take the title before the judges’ decision.
“Granted Theophane is a good operator but Hamilton took the
fight with four days’ notices and clearly was more hungry for the win. Hamilton
stuck through the rounds and like a true gentleman remained humble until the
title was passed his way. I have a lot of respect for Hamilton.
“I think a fight with Hamilton will be more exciting as
opposed to sharing a ring with Theophane and the attitude he has towards me. It’s going to be much more exciting getting
into the ring with Hamilton, who I can have a laugh with.
“At the end of the day we have mutual respect and love for
one another, but I love the belt more so friendship will have to be put aside
on the night we meet.
“I have proven to audience I’m a worthy challenger. Lenny
Daws backed away. Theophane backed away and I took the English title at four
days’ notices last year,” he explained.
All that now remains is whether Steve Williams, who pulled
out injured to enable Hamilton to claim the title, will be put forward for an
eliminator with Anwar or whether ‘The Platimun Kid’ is now ahead of the
Wallasey fighter in the pecking order.
“Time and time again my record shows I’m ready to go
straight for the belt. But it depends on what the BBBofC say. I shouldn’t have
to fight Williams, but boxing politics states ‘anything goes’.
“One minute I thought I was fighting, the next I’m not. My
team have worked tirelessly to express to the Board that I am worthy of a title
shot and it feels like every time we get one step closer, another obstacle is
put in our way.
“Whatever happens I don’t care. One way or another I’ll be
fighting for the British belt and if it means fighting Williams, Daws,
Theophane, whoever, I’ll do it to get it,” confirmed Anwar.
On what the future
holds for Anwar, the Yorkshirman added: “It really depends on how the domestic
scene pans out. Once I win the title I will have to assess my options. I
genuinely believe I am worthy of fighting at European level and with the right
exposure, experience and training, International level too.
“However, if the offers don’t come my way I am happy to make
a name on the domestic scene and become the first British Asian boxer to win
the Lonsdale belt outright.
“Just winning it once will be making history,” he added.