IT has been a tough camp for Zain Ali – possibly the toughest since he turned pro.
But tomorrow (Saturday), the wildly popular light-middleweight puts the problems behind him and seeks to extend his unbeaten record to six on manager Anthony Manning’s “Nxt Gen” show at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms.
In the opposite corner will be Swindon’s Jensen Irving, a seasoned 35 fight campaigner who has only once failed to hear the final bell.
It was supposed to be a six rounder – the Alum Rock favourite’s second over the distance.
But a twisted ankle restricted Zain’s roadwork and the contest has been reduced to four.
Zain intended to scale bang-on the light-middleweight limit of 11st. He’s now looking to come in at around 11st 4lbs.
There have been issues away from the gym, too.
But despite those hurdles to overcome, pulling out of the contest was never an option for likeable Zain.
“I just want to keep fighting, I don’t want a long lay-off,” he said. “The opponent changed, but I’ll adapt to anything he brings. I’ll use my head and box.”
As always, the 26-year-old will enjoy big support inside the small hall, with close to 120 tickets sold already. The family man, owner of a fast-food establishment – Frankie’s Pizzeria in Stechford, is a very popular character in his postcode zone.
Under Manning, Zain has become one of the Midlands’ most improved performers. The career start was stuttering, with two draws – and Ali appearing to flag down the stretch both times.
Since then, he has shown better conditioning, more confidence and improved technique.
“I’ve never doubted myself,” he said. “I’ve shown what I’m capable of and what I can do. At the start I was just cutting corners.
“As an amateur, I’d get the wins but didn’t train as I should have – I never did any running. The skills and ring IQ have always been there, it was just the fitness side of things. The draws helped me, because if I’d won those fights I would’ve continued to cut corners.”
The improvements made mean Zain can now look to bigger things and the Midlands title is definitely on his radar.
“I’ve told my manager Anthony I’m ready to step-up. I’m not calling anybody out, but I think me and Hamza Azeem, of BCB, would be a good show.”
Fellow Brummie Azeem has lost only one of nine – and that came in Riyadh’s glitzy Grand Prix tournament.
“I’ve come on leaps and bounds,” Zain said. “I’m progressing nicely, I’m ready to go.”
Manning has compiled a solid bill. Flyweight prospect Brad Coley and exciting featherweight newcomer Jay Van-Gelder are in action, Remi Boxill makes his long awaited debut and top lightweight Cori Gibbs also boxes on the card.
Bolton’s Lee Gormley also has a slot on the show.
