A KEIGHLEY boxer is over the moon to be fighting on the undercard of one of his role models this weekend.
Ibrahim Nadim (5-0) is set to lace up the gloves on a bill headlined by Amir Khan v Kell Brook at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.
'Ibby' has admired Olympic medallist and former world champion Khan ever since he started out in the sport a decade or so ago.
Therefore, he is extremely grateful to be afforded the opportunity of fighting on the same bill as his hero.
Nadim said: "I am really excited to fight in a decent arena and on a great card.
"Amir Khan has been someone I have looked up to since I was like 11 or 12.
"It is his boxing style for me. He is always entertaining whether he wins or loses."
It is a rivalry that has been brewing for what seems like forever between the welterweight stars hailing from Bolton and Sheffield.
Now we are finally here, Nadim can see a tight fight that only ends one way.
He added: "I think they are both at the stage of their careers, where they are past their best, so I just think it is about who turns up on the night and follows the gameplan.
"Either one of them is going to get stopped, I don't see it going to points. I am going with Khan."
The 22-year-old has already fought at the historic venue, back in contest number two (a win on points over journeyman Stefan Nicolae) on the Scott Quigg-Jono Carroll card.
Nadim expects a similar experience this time out, with him fighting before the main card, which is on Sky Sports Box Office, again.
The Ricky Hatton-trained talent will be up against a familiar foe to fans across the district.
Bradford prospects Hamed Ghaz and Amin Jahanzeb have both boxed their ways to points wins over Taka Bembere.
Given those results and the fact Bembere has only been stopped on three occasions in his 23 outings (1-22), Nadim feels if he can gain a maiden knockout for himself, it would be really impressive.
The featherweight added: "I am fighting early on, like last time, but it will still be a good experience even under those circumstances.
"I have not seen much of my opponent. We just needed one on short notice, so we took him.
"He has fought decent boxers. He has only been stopped three times, so he is quite durable.
"I just want to get as many fights in as I can at this early stage of my career.
"It would make a great statement if I could stop him."
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