Amir Khan throws weight behind KBW’s charity night

The charity evening is being held in aid of the Syrian refugee crisis and has been endorsed by the Amir Khan Foundation, who help support disasters around the world.

Former WBA and IBF light welterweight world champion Khan will be in attendance as special guest, along with Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff.

The home show comes just a week after KBW boxer Ismail Khan secured success at the National Club for Young People (NCYP) Championships finals last week.

The championships began over four weeks ago with regional heats, which saw three KBW boxers becoming Yorkshire champions.

KBW’s Adnan Khan entered the tournament having had just three bouts but overcame boxers with vastly more experience on his way to reaching the national quarter-finals.

Ismail Khan is a Bradford College Student who lives in Beeston but travels to train out of the Dewsbury gym, making his debit in the summer when he secured a unanimous decision win against Three Nations gold medallist Nicky McDonagh

Ismail fought his way through the NCYP regional heats in the 52KG category before progressing to last Thursday’s national final, held at the St Phillips Centre in Croydon.

Ismail faced a tough challenge in the final when he boxed James McDonagh, of Northolt ABC, who went into the bout having only one loss on his record.

Both boxers made a cautious start, opting to fight on the back foot and waiting for openings.

Khan landed some decent combinations in the second round, while moving away from dangerous counter shots from McDonagh.

Khan dominated the second and third rounds to claim a unanimous points decision and claim the NCYP 2015 title.

Speaking after his championship win, Ismail said: “I was really happy to win this title and I’ve worked extremely hard to get it this year.

“In the past I missed out narrowly and in some cases I really thought I should have made it to the next rounds but it wasn’t meant to be.

“I knew this year was my year, since joining KBW. We have an excellent team and good sparring for all and I have progressed really well since I moved.

“I’d like to give a big thank you to my father and coach Rash Khan for putting the time in with me over the years and also my KBW coaches Alan Haque, Tanny Hussain, Shammy Cheema and my old coach Keith Tate and all team mates and friends.”

KBW Boxing Club now turn their attentions to Friday’s home show when tickets are priced from £12, with all proceeds going to charity.