YOUNG Bradford boxer Mohammed Subhaan Ahmed is now 2-0 in the professional ranks, as he inflicted his opponent’s first knockout defeat in nearly five years.

Super-lightweight Ahmed, who is from the BD3 area and openly admits to wanting a fight in his home city soon, was taking on Lithuanian journeyman Simas Volosinas (7-108) on Saturday night at Rotherham’s Magna Centre in a four-round contest.

And while he was expected to win, he did what no-one had done since Reece Mould in December 2017, and stopped Volosinas, doing so just over a minute into the final round.

It was just the ninth knockout defeat of the Lithuanian’s long professional career, and a delighted Ahmed told the T&A: “It was a brilliant night for me.

“I went in the ring, put on a show, and got the stoppage.

“I was happy, and everyone coaching and supporting me was happy too.”

As his stats suggest, Volosinas is a difficult man to knock out, but Ahmed said: “I just listened to my corner.

“I wanted to blast my opponent away from the start, but I had to take the advice of my coach Dom (Ingle).

“He told me just to work on the guy’s body, which I did, and after wearing him down, I finished him off quite easily in the end.

“That was the challenge for me, as he’s tough and powerful, so not easy to stop.

“But I showed I was capable on Saturday night, just by following instructions.”

Mould, the last person to record a knockout win over Volosinas, has since won an English Featherweight title and is due to take on Bradford’s Hamed Ghaz for the vacant English Lightweight title on February 10 next year.

Ahmed will hope for a similar career trajectory, though the 22-year-old understands why he has only fought journeymen so far.

He said: “If it were up to me, I’d step up and take bigger fights now, but it’s about going back to my team and them discussing what they feel is best for me.

“I’d love to have bouts with more rounds in soon, and show off my skills, which you can really do against better opponents.”

That wish may come true as soon as next year, with the Bradford talent saying: “I want to get out there and have as many fights as possible in 2023.

“The aim is certainly to have four or five, maybe even six or seven if things go well.

“Both of my fights so far have been at the Magna Centre, so I’d love to get out to some new venues, possibly a bit closer to home, maybe even in Bradford itself.”

Ahmed is desperate for a professional bout in his home city, saying: “It would mean the world to me to have a fight in Bradford.

“I’ve only fought here once, as an amateur, and it was the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced at one of my bouts.

“It would be an even better atmosphere if I were to fight here as a professional.”