Amaar Akbar has ambitions of inspiring the next generation in his hometown of Dewsbury, ahead of his professional debut on Saturday.
Akbar, a two-time national champion signed with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in May and makes his first bow against Chris Adaway on the undercard of Anthony Cacace’s British Super Featherweight title defence against Leon Woodstock at the Copper Box Arena, live on BT Sport.
The 20-year-old Super Lightweight prospect, became the first fighter from Dewsbury, Yorkshire to ink a promotional pact with the Hall of Fame promoter and feels like he can use his platform to good effect.
“Amateur wise, there’s so many [fighters], Dewsbury is massive boxing-= wise,” Akbar told proboxing-fans.com.
“There’s a lot of gyms in Dewsbury, but professional wise I think [there’s] one or two, I think I’m the first person to ever sign with Frank from this town.
“Hopefully that inspires the youth to know they can do it as well. I’m just an ordinary guy really just trying to chase my dreams, working hard.”
🌟 𝐏𝐑𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐔𝐓 🌟
Outstanding amateur talent and former number one GB seed for the senior elite championships @AmaarTheProdigy will debut on February 27th 🥊 pic.twitter.com/LZeKZ5fE2r
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) February 5, 2021
Akbar, who has also tried his hand at MMA as a youngster, had the intention of continuing his amateur career prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, but admits the opportunity to turn professional under Warren’s guidance was too enticing to resist, as he looks to bring a versatile style to the paid ranks.
“The original plan we had was we were going to do the GB Assessment and then do the Seniors one more time.
“But, when Frank come it was a no brainer really to just turn over, opportunities like this you can’t turn them down.
“I’m known for [being] a slick boxer, but I can actually fight. Whatever my opponent comes with I’ll have an answer for.
“For the first fight we didn’t want anyone who’s just going to lie down really. He comes to fight, he comes to win, it should be good.”
Known as ‘The Prodigy’, Akbar has already experienced the highest level of sparring with the likes of former IBF Featherweight world champion, Warrington and most recently with former WBA Welterweight titlist, David Avanesyan who stopped Josh Kelly in six rounds at the SSE Arena on Saturday night.
Akbar believes that his tough early grounding will serve him well heading into his early years as a professional.
“[I’ve had] some good spars, Tommy Coyle.
“I’ve been chucked in the deep end from my dad from a young age, so I’ve gained all the experience and I think it’ll help me for my pro debut.
“I sparred him [Warrington] when I was 18 and I think he was one or two [fights] away from the world title.
“I’ve learnt a lot from them spars, just pacing myself, knowing how to pace myself and it’s completely different from the amateurs really.
“The gloves are smaller, the pace is different, everything is different, the atmosphere is going to be different for this one, so yeah it’s been good.
“But, I’m just thankful for them for giving me even the opportunity to even get in there with them at the age of 18.”
Watch the full interview with Amaar Akbar below ahead of his professional debut on Saturday night:
