Boxing influencer Ahmad Raza on his mission to join Team GB

Ahmad Raza, also known as AHD boxer, has built up a following of 17.6k on Instagram as he documents his boxing journey.

The 21-year-old influencer is on a mission to make a name for himself in the boxing ring and qualify for Team GB in the Olympics.

But when he’s not training, Ahmad is encouraging more youngsters to carve their own path in life and stay away from crime.

Ahmad, who lives in Girlington and receives coaching at Evolution Fitness Centre, said: “It’s just trying to show kids if you can put your mind to something, anything’s achievable.

Ahmad Raza, pictured (Image: Newsquest)

“I’ve always been into sports. I played for Leeds United football club when I was younger then I went into a bit of Thai boxing. I started at a local boxing gym, I’ve been there ever since. They say your passion becomes your obsession.

“I stopped for a full year, I stopped going to the gym, I was out late. My mum was saying she wanted me to go back into boxing and into college.”

Ahmad returned to the sport in 2018 and is now set to compete in national competitions in March. 

He is also preparing for the moment he gets an invite to Team GB's trials.

Ahmad Raza, pictured (Image: Newsquest)

The former Guiseley School student said: “It’s a lot of discipline. You’ve got to sleep on time. The small changes matter. You’ve got to do stuff outside the boxing gym. You can’t just train three times a week for two hours.

“For the young people, they like that little bit of satisfaction when you see you start performing. That small bit of satisfaction, that drives a person.

“The training is not something you enjoy. The fighting and the sparring aspect, that’s the most enjoyable. The training is just something you do, like a degree, you do the hard work, get a career at the end and starting enjoying it."

Speaking on crime and the challenges facing inner city areas, Ahmad said: "A lot of young people from my area, even at my age, it has influenced them and throughout the younger years I could go down that path. This [boxing] could be a way out for some kids. Some kids don’t like to study, don’t like to go to college.

“There’s so many ways of getting money that’s legit and you can feed your family well and not have to look over your shoulder. Even start a business. They just need that push. They like easy, fast money. They’ve got big egos so this [boxing] could fit their ego in an achievable way.”

In a message to other young people, he said: “Just get motivated, stay disciplined and work hard. That’s all you need.”

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