Ali is the real deal says legend Ingle

9:55pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

Comments (5)   Have your say »

By Steve Tinniswood »

LEGENDARY boxing trainer Brendan Ingle believes he may well have unearthed his next world champion - Blackburn's own Ali Shah.

Ingle is confident the 21-year-old Sheffield-based fighter can follow in the footsteps of Naseem Hamed, Jonny Nelson and Shah's sparring partner, Junior Witter, on to the world stage.

The former Daisyfield Primary School pupil makes his professional debut at the weekend with Ingle insisting it should be the first step in what could be a glittering career.

"This boy will cause a few upsets, I am sure of that," said the 66-year-old Irishman. "He is a very good fighter and in the time I have worked with him, he has shown he has the dedication, desire and commitment to go all the way to the top.

"I can see Ali winning British and Commonwealth titles and challenging for world titles in a few years. Some people may think I am mad but I think Ali is a real talent."

The softly spoken Dubliner has been in the game too long to make rash judgements but he has been impressed with the boxer who phoned him up out of the blue and asked for his help.

"I think everyone should be given a chance," added Ingle. "He did phone me up out of the blue so I asked him to come down and we'd have a look at him.

"He could certainly talk the talk but, after watching him spar, I told him to move over to Sheffield, get himself enough money to last a few weeks and we'd take it from there."

Ingle's success has been built on the hard work put in in his famous gym and teaching what he calls freestyle' boxing.

But it was a style that somewhat hampered Shah's amateur career as he lost six of his 21 fights.

Ingle added: "Amateur boxing is all about keeping your two hands up at all times and fighting what the boxiner fraternity consider to be the right way.

"I have always taught my boxers to fight in freestyle and I know that cost Ali some of his fights."

Shah is delighted that Ingle has given him a second chance as he admits he was heading for a life of crime had it not been for boxing.

"When I was younger, I was always getting in to trouble," said Shah who was sent to Tullyallan Special School in Darwen because of his behaviour problems. "I had no self control, got in to a lot of fights and was always in trouble with the police.

"If it wasn't for boxing then I know I would have ended up in prison."

Shah said his time at Tullyallan and Blackburn College, where he studied a sports science course, helped him control his temper - but it was only when he phoned Brendan on the off chance that he really got his life in order.

"When I took up boxing, I knew I was good," said the 6ft 2inch light welterweight. "I had good footwork and other fighters found it very difficult to touch me. I went to a lot of clubs but didn't feel at home at any of them.

"I knew about Brendan, got his number and phoned him up out of the blue and asked him for help. He invited me to his gym and it all went from there."

Since then, Shah has been totally focused and committed to the sport.

"I am working with one of the best trainers in the world and, in Junior, I am sparring with one of the best fighters in the world. As far as I am concerned, Junior is number one."

Shah will be hoping that all the hard work comes to fruition when he steps in to the ring at the Tara Sports and Leisure Centre.

"I can't wait for this fight," said Shah who won 15 of his 21 amateur fights. "This is stepping stone for me. I want to be fighting for the British title within two years and I will definitely be a world champion. The only person who can stop me is myself."

If Shah fulfils the potential he believes he has, then a fight against Amir Khan could be looming somewhere in the future.

He said: "I have nothing but respect for Amir. He is a class act and a role model, not just for the Asian community, but for all young boxers.

"You don't win Olympic Games silver medals without being a bit special. But a fight between Amir and myself some time in the future would be well worth watching."

Victory on Sunday will be just one small step towards realising such heady dreams For Shah knows the hard work has only just begun if he is to get anywhere near those illustrious fighters before him.

But with Ingle in his corner muttering wise words in his ear, then anything is possible.