Ameen Khalid believes his tools have been sharpened to great effect for the transition from amateur to professional fighter.
That switch will take place when it’s show-time in the Stadium Suite at Walsall FC’s the Banks’s Stadium, on the Sunday afternoon of September 26.
Khalid reckons he’s in the fast lane for success, after coupling boxing with working as a delivery driver for Uber Eats, which fits around his training sessions.
The 24-year-old lightweight has been preparing at Amin Khan’s Truth Boxing Club (MTK Gloucestershire), which is relatively close to his home in Worcester.
New coach Khan takes over the mantle from Mick Underwood, who was a mentor to Khalid since he walked into Worcester City Boxing Club as a youngster.
He went on to amass an amateur record of 25 wins from 35 contests, with nine TKOs among those victories. Some 28 of them were senior bouts, so without a headguard.
Khalid claimed area honours and reached a national semi-final in the England Elite Championships, although he’s tight-lipped about what titles he can achieve as a pro.
He’s wholly focussed on his debut, with the feeling that he has all bases covered through his training camp and natural skillset.
Khalid reckons people will sit up and take notice as his pro journey goes on, which is a long way removed from where he started.
He said: “I was 16 when I started boxing, before that me and my mate used to do a bit of sparring in the park. We would just put some gloves on and fight!
“My dad (Khalid Khalid) told me to get down the boxing club, Worcester was the nearest one to me and Mick Underwood, the coach there, was with me for all of my amateur career.
“This is the first fight I’ve ever had without Mick in the corner, so it might be a bit weird hearing a new voice, but I’ve got used to that in the gym.
“I’ve already been through eight years of boxing, so I think the time is definitely right for me to turn pro. I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’ve been in the ring with some good competition, as an amateur, and I’m confident that I will do well as a pro, with the skills that I have.
“I’m a slick boxer, who can move with technique and I like to pick my opponents apart. The stoppages I got, as an amateur, came with me not forcing it.
“I always try to set the pace and keep the jab going, but there are going to be times when I have to stand there and trade. I know I can do that.
“I’m only getting stronger with the training, running, strength and conditioning that I’ve been doing. We’ve upped everything in camp.
“I think I’ll be at my very best when I make my debut, it’s the first task and then we will see where we go from there. It’s one step at a time.”
Four other fights feature on the show, which is sponsored by Principle Partners Alliance Scaffolding, Jobsworth Recruitment and GPW Consulting.
Walsall’s two-weight Midlands Area Champion, James Beech Jr, and Birmingham’s very own Kane Baker also feature.
Two other debutants complete the card with Wolverhampton’s Traian Tudosache, and Bloxwich’s Lewis Morris.
Tickets for the show, on Sunday 26th September, are on sale now and available from the boxers priced at £40 standard and £75 VIP Ringside with buffet.
They can also be purchased from the boxers or online from myfighttickets.com:
https://myfighttickets.com/…/ols/products/crashbangwallop