Qais Ashfaq signs deal with Matchroom Boxing
Thursday 1 February 2018 11:54, UK
Olympian Qais Ashfaq has signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing and will make his debut in Manchester on February 25.
Ashfaq represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the culmination of a blossoming amateur career that included Commonwealth Youth Games gold and silver in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.
I'm out to prove a point and I want to be part of the big shows coming up in the next few months. I've got a lot of catching up to do and I want to be as busy as possible.
The Leeds talent has now turned his attention to the paid ranks and the 24-year-old is determined to make up for lost time and build a fan base all over the UK.
"I'm so happy to be joining Matchroom Boxing and to be on Sky Sports, it's the best place for me to be to showcase my skills and I'm excited to make my debut," said Ashfaq, who will campaign at super-bantamweight.
"I'm out to prove a point and I want to be part of the big shows coming up in the next few months. I've got a lot of catching up to do and I want to be as busy as possible.
"It's been stop start and I've lost a year of my pro career so I feel that I have something to prove, not just to the public but to myself.
"That's why being with Matchroom is great because there's so many fight nights coming up all over Britain and I think I can progress quickly and pick up fans everywhere. I'm a Leeds boy though so of course I would love to box in my city.
"I really want to fight on Amir Khan's comeback show in April. He's got at least three fights with Matchroom and it would be amazing to be on those bills. Amir's been such a huge inspiration for me and it's great to be part of the same stable as him.
I'm delighted to welcome Qais to the team. He is a richly talented fighter and one that will become an instant hit with fans all over Britain.
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: "I'm delighted to welcome Qais to the team. He is a richly talented fighter and one that will become an instant hit with fans all over Britain.
"I'm looking forward to his imminent debut and then showcasing him all over the UK."
