British Pakistani boxer Atif Shafiq says he intends to create history for the sporting union of Britain, Pakistan and himself by becoming the first British lightweight champion of Pakistani origin, reported The Star on Friday.
The 24 year-old rose to prominence after knocked down Rotherham fighter Lee Appleyard three times.
‘By the end of the year I want to be the first British-Pakistani ever to have won that’ he said in reference to the British title.
‘I was born in Britain but obviously I am of Pakistani descent. ‘I would love to put my name in the history books,’ Shafiq told IFL TV.
According to Shafiq, his abilities have been ‘propelled to a different level’ after training with Jason Quigley, Kid Galahad and Kell Brook.
‘My performances will get better and better and I will continue to step up to the plate’ he said.
‘I know I can puck a punch. ‘Once they (rivals like Appleyard) get in there they feel the power and the shock but it’s too late, they are not prepared, and get took out,’ he added.—APP