Bradford Muay Thai fighter Sohail Khan injured in fight

Things had been going to plan for the Abusins Muay Thai prodigy when disaster struck. He was roared to the ring by the army of supporters who had made the long journey to Banbury to see him crowned champion.

Fighting in front of his home supporters, Morley came out of the blocks fast but was quickly stunned by Khan. The 23-year-old leaned heavily on his boxing skills and took the wind out of his opponent’s sailed with some vicious body punches. A minute into the first round Khan dropped his opponent heavily with a fierce right hand. Morley beat the count but was soon back on the floor when Khan landed another heavy blow. The bell at the end of round one rescued Morley but it seemed to be a matter of time before Khan ended the contest.

The second round began in a similar fashion: Morley pressing forward gamely and Khan stopping him in his tracks with more of his trademark power punching. However, a seemingly innocuous clinch triggered a freak shoulder injury and, recognising what had happened, Khan’s experienced coach Alex Abusin quickly pulled his man out of the contest.

Khan was naturally disappointed but immediately turned his thoughts towards an inevitable rematch. “I thought I was on the verge of getting the win when the shoulder went but life throws these things at you and it’s how you handle them that defines you. It’s going to take a little time to rehab but wants once it’s ready we’ve got to run it back. The bigger the setback, the bigger the comeback. I promised I’d bring the belt back to Bradford and I’m going to deliver on it - even if it takes a little longer than I hoped.”

Khan’s coach Abusin, himself a former English champion, was equally stoic despite the setback. “I’m gutted for Sohail,” said Abusin. “He’s worked hard to get here and practically had one hand on the belt when the injury happened, but he’ll be back. We’re going to focus on his recovery for now but he’ll be back, don’t worry about that.”