Hamza Uddin says the power of his local community will help push him on to fulfil his dream of becoming boxing’s first-ever British-Bangladeshi World Champion.
The 20-year-old underlined his promise as a ’star to watch’ when he sensationally stopped Santiago San Eusebio on his victorious professional debut in Liverpool back in April.
Now the exciting Flyweight prospect is planning another highlight reel knockout when he fights in front of a legion of home supporters just a stone’s throw from his hometown of Walsall this weekend.
Uddin, in his second pro fight, takes on Jose Maria Hernandez at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena this Saturday June 22 on a stacked card headlined by Tyler Denny vs. Felix Cash for the European Middleweight Championship.
The former Team GB fighter is an eight-time National Champion with seven international golds and three GB titles – but opted to turn professional instead of pursuing Olympic glory at this summer’s Paris Games. And he wants to show the world why the pro game is right for him.
Ahead of his upcoming bout in Birmingham, Uddin put on a clinic at the Fearless Boxing Academy in Walsall in front of a large group of aspiring amateur boxers before moving on to his local mosque where he delivered a presentation to attendees to reveal all about his incredible journey from grassroots to elite, first with Team GB and now Matchroom.
“It’s an absolute honour to have the Walsall community and the British-Bangladeshi community behind me for this fight,” said Uddin. “It truly is special how much these communities have supported me. Not just during my professional journey but ever since I started boxing, which is going back some 15 years.
“For me, to have this much support and for so long, it is fantastic. It is one of my main motivating forces to become the first-ever British-Bangladeshi World Champion.
“The support I have received is second to none. So many of the people who were here today will also be at my fight on June 22. I can’t wait to achieve my dreams and aspirations, not only for myself but for those who continue to be by my side and have believed in me since the beginning.
“I am dreaming of one day becoming a multi-weight World Champion. I want to do it for my father, all the local community and everyone who has back me since day one and believes that I will fulfil my aspirations. Their support will carry me through and provide the extra push I need to be successful.”
An excited Uddin added that he cannot wait to fight in front of hundreds of his Midlands faithful this Saturday – live worldwide on DAZN.
“My next fight is as close to a homecoming that I can get,” he said. “I haven’t boxed in the Midlands or anywhere near it in a very long time due to be away at various international tournaments as an amateur.
“But now, as a professional, I finally get the chance to show everyone here my skills and what I can do. I can’t wait. It’s a great show but I can promise you now, I will be the star performer on the night. Inshallah I know that for sure.
“The way I box attracts eyeballs. I know I have already attracted a big local following but after June 22 that will get even bigger.”
As he plans to put on another memorable performance in front of his supporters at Resorts World Arena, Uddin believes it is vital to continue to be a positive role model for his community where he hopes to pave the way for the next generation and inspire its future stars – especially in Walsall.
“Big shoutout to Matchroom – they’ve got such a strong foothold in this country and globally. But they’re going above and beyond to put in the hard work outside the ring with local communities and helping shine a light on the good work that goes on.
“Take for example my hometown Walsall. We’re only used to seeing big boxing on the TV. Now we have Matchroom coming here to put on a great event for us, to bring people from the local community together. It really is an honour to be a part of, witnessing the next generation of aspiring boxers.
“Many of the young fighters we’ve seen today could well be the next superstars of tomorrow. So well done to the team at Matchroom, who are ensuring they are there to support this generation of boxers and the next generation too.”
Uddin vs. Hernandez is part of a big night of action in Birmingham, the main event sees Tyler Denny (18-2-3, 1 KO) defend his European Middleweight Title against former British and Commonwealth Champion Felix Cash (16-0, 10 KOs), Belfast’s Welterweight powerhouse Lewis Crocker (19-0, 11 KOs) looks to extend his unbeaten run when he meets Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker (13-2-1, 5 KOs) in what promises to be an explosive match-up over ten rounds, slick Blyth prospect Cameron Vuong (4-0, 3 KOs) takes on late replacement Jeff Ofori (13-7-2, 4 KOs) over ten rounds at Super-Lightweight, Watford’s Shannon Ryan (7-0) and Newark’s Emma Dolan (6-0, 1 KO) create history when they become the first women to contest the British Super-Flyweight Title, with Dolan’s Commonwealth Title also on the line, Oldham’s Aqib Fiaz (12-1, 1 KO) and Birmingham’s Kane Baker (19-11-2, 1 KO) clash over eight rounds at Lightweight, Birmingham Lightweight Ibraheem Sulaimaan (3-0, 2 KOs) looks to impress on home soil when he meets JesusGonzalez (3-1) over six rounds, Leicester Super-Bantamweight Muhammad Mustafa Ali (4-0, 1 KO) fights Kelvin Madjid over six rounds and Hamburg Heavyweight Emanuel Odiase (2-0, 1 KO) kicks off the Before The Bell action.
