Ahmed in Split Draw for British
Birmingham’s Ijaz Ahmed took on Quaise Khademi for the second time this time for the British Super Flyweight title (28,8,21). Ahmed beat Khademi in their last encounter in a cracking contest on a majority decision for the WBO and IBF European Super Flyweight titles in February of this year. The fight was part of the Queensberry promotions show that was being shown live on BT sports at the Arena Birmingham. Ahmed weighed in 8 stone 2 and Khademi coming in the same for this 12-round contest with Steve Gray refereeing the fight.
Both fighters started fast as let their hands go from the first bell with Khademi winning the round with the cleaner shots. The second was another close round with both fighters letting their shots off with Ahmed not taking a step back edging the round. The third was another high tempo round with great shots coming from both fighters, could not split them. Non-stop action in the fourth as both boxers got great combinations off, Ahmed nicked the round with some great inside work.
Ahmed continued to press in the fifth and never took a step back with relentless punching and accuracy to win the round. Khademi kept it long in the sixth and moved well switching from orthodox to southpaw, Ahmed came back strong near the end of the round but Khademi won it. Khademi got on his toes in the seventh and got some great shots off from a southpaw switch, Ahmed continued to press but Khademi won this one. The pace seemed to slow in the eighth as both fighters continued to exchange shots, even round.
The ninth was another even round as both fighters continued to trade shots. Khademi was caught early in the tenth round sustaining a cut above his right eye, this spurred Ahmed on who banged in good shots, Khademi came back with a late rally but it was Ahmed’s round. Great right hand by Khademi at the start of the eleventh round, Khademi kept it long and moved well to nick the round. A back and forth final round as both fighters left it all in the ring, great end to a great fight could not split them.
The three judges had it as this Ian John Lewis had it 115 to 113 Ahmed, John Latham had it 115 to 114 Khademi, and Marcus McDonnell had it 114 to 114 split draw. Myself I had it 116 to 116 draw.
Dexter’s Thought’s
What a great fight this was, definitely a contender for fight of the year the two fighters can be very proud of themselves. Both fighters gave it everything they had and a rematch has to happen, this was a great mix of styles and has all the ingredients for a great trilogy. Ahmed will always be in great fights because of his style, but his style always makes them close exciting contests due to the level of fighter he is taking on. This fight could have gone either way and most rounds in this fight came down to one eye-catching punch in around, it was that close. I really look forward to the rematch and have a feeling ‘Jazzy’ will come out victorious. Birmingham’s Ijaz Ahmed took on Quaise Khademi for the second time this time for the British Super Flyweight title (28,8,21). Ahmed beat Khademi in their last encounter in a cracking contest on a majority decision for the WBO and IBF European Super Flyweight titles in February of this year. The fight was part of the Queensberry promotions show that was being shown live on BT sports at the Arena Birmingham. Ahmed weighed in 8 stone 2 and Khademi coming in the same for this 12-round contest with Steve Gray refereeing the fight.