Former world champion Amir Khan tipping Black Country teenager to be next boxing sensation

Khan, 33, heaped praise on talented boxer Haaver Ali Tazeem, who fights out of Pound 4 Pound Boxing Academy in Walsall.

Tazeem already has a number of gold medals to his name from international competitions.

Khan, former unified lightweight champion, from Bolton, has been following Tazeem’s career for four years. He has paid him visits to the Walsall gym.

Khan told the Express & Star: “I definitely think he is the next big thing for sure.

“I mean, the skillset he has, the movement, everything really reminds me of myself when I was younger and how I used to fight.

“Definitely, I think he has got everything it takes (to succeed).”

In 2017, Tazeem was listed among the top seven international young boxers by a national newspaper. His defensive capabilities were particularly highlighted.

Tazeem caught Khan’s attention in 2016 when he won two gold medals in the Bristol Box Cup.

Khan continued: “What was particularly impressive for me was he moved up a weight class to make it more challenging, and ended up winning gold in both weight categories (at Bristol),” said Khan. “Since then, I have kept in touch with him.”

Tazeem has added an array of gold medals to his trophy cabinet since then, including gold at the Main Event Box Cup held in London, and gold in the Black Forest Box Cup in Germany.

Khan recalled Tazeem’s other impressive achievements.

“He again won gold in the Monkstown Box Cup in 2017 – which is the biggest boxing cup internationally, with over 1,000 boxers competing in three days over three fights,” he said. “He was awarded the best junior boxer of the tournament.

“Later, in 2017, he again won gold and best boxer of another international tournament, this time HSK in Denmark.

“Ali competed in the 2018 and 2019 King of the Ring tournaments, held in Sweden, where over 600 boxers compete. He won two golds in two consecutive years and, again, won ‘best skilled boxer of the tournament’.

“In the same year (2018), he again won gold in the Wexford International Box Cup and Ali also achieved gold in Odivelas Box Cup held in Portugal (also in 2018).

“Ali has also won gold in the East Midlands Box Cup and many other titles in the UK.

“In addition, Ali was also selected by England Boxing to be on the England Pathway (talent programme).”

Khan added: “I firmly believe Ali will be the next me and will make history like myself.”

Follow Tazeem on Instagram at @alitazeem_