Shah gets his career off to a flying start

10:57am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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ALI Shah proved just why legendary trainer Brendan Ingle rates him so highly after kicking off his professional boxing career in devastating style.

The 21-year-old Blackburn fighter floored Amir Nadi three times on his way to a convincing points win at the Tara Sports and Leisure Centre in Oldham on Sunday.

Shah, who fights out of Ingle's Sheffield-based gym, completely outclassed his Birmingham opponent in the four round bout and knocked him down in the second, third and fourth rounds.

"I could not have wished for a better start to my professional career," said Shah, a former pupil at Daisyfield Primary School and Tullyallen Special School in Darwen. "In truth, I could have stopped him but I wanted to put on a show.

"He was a good opponent and every credit to him for keep on getting back up but I was just too good for him."

Shah is a stablemate of WBC world light welterweight champion Junior Witter, and Ingle - who mentored Prince Naseem Hamed - is backing his latest fighter to follow in his footsteps.

"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."

Lightweight Shah is now hoping his next fight is in his own backyard.

"I am from Blackburn and would love to fight in front of my own friends and family. I think a fight here would cause a lot of interest because I know a lot of people from Blackburn and Sheffield would come to watch me fight."

Ingle is moulding Shah in to the same sort of show fighter as Naseem Hamed and Johnny Nelson - two of his former world champions - and the former Blackburn College student is confident in his own abilities.

"This fight was a stepping stone for me. I want to be fighting for the British title within two years and I will definitely be a world champion," added Shah, who stands at 6ft 2inch tall. "The only person who can stop me is myself.

"I felt in really good shape. I'm taking a few days off before getting back in the gym and preparing for my next fight. I can't wait."

Shah, who admits to being something of a tearaway in his younger days, is delighted that Ingle has given him a second chance.

"When I was younger, I was always getting into trouble," said Shah, who was sent to Tullyallan Special School in Darwen because of his behaviour problems. "I had no self control, got into 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 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