A TOP Bradford boxer has helped pupils learn the joys of reading after he visited their school to talk about his favourite book.

Tasif Khan, who recently made his boxing comeback after a few years sidelined with injuries, spoke to over 50 boys at Dixons Allerton Academy yesterday.

The talk was part of the Bradford Literacy Campaign’s ongoing work to provide children with strong male role models who read and write for enjoyment.

Tasif, from Girlington, helped launch the campaign last year, and spoke to pupils about his favourite book - Mohammed Ali's autobiography "The Greatest: My Own Story."

Run by the National Literacy Trust, the campaign has linked up with local sports stars like Tasif, and players from Bradford City and Bradford Bulls as a way to encourage more boys to get enthused about reading.

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Before his talk yesterday, Tasif said: "I've been into boxing since I was about 10, and when I was younger my favourite books were ones by Roald Dahl, like George's Marvellous Medicine. As I got older I read Muhammad Ali's autobiography, he was a big role model to me. He was the greatest boxer, but as I read this I found out he was much more than that, that is what stuck with me, it is not just what he has done in the ring.

"He did a lot to fight for racial equality and the civil rights movement. Reading this taught me a lot about being strong minded.

"A lot of the kids in this school come from quite deprived areas, so it is good to do positive things like this and get people on board.

"A lot of boys say they don't like reading, but it is something that is so important. I've known that when I have to do things like read contracts."

He pointed out that reading books like autobiographies gave children a much better understanding of issues than skimming for information on google or Wikipedia.

Having recently returned to boxing, Tasif hopes to rise up the ranks and further cement Bradford's place on the sporting map. He also wants to hold some of his bouts in the city so all his fans get to see him on his home turf.

Imran Hafeez, Bradford Hub manager at the National Literacy Trust, said: “When children see how reading benefits the people, they look up to it can have a really powerful impact. This is why it’s fantastic to have the support of a local sports star who finds motivation to achieve success through reading as part of our continuing work to promote strong reading role models in Bradford.

"Kids really enjoyed meeting Tasif at the launch of the Bradford Literacy Campaign last autumn and I know he’ll inspire them to seek out books which will help raise their aspirations. We want they to enjoy reading."