BRADFORD boxer Hamed Ghaz says he is confident he can win the first title of his career in his re-arranged fight this weekend.

The 25-year-old is hoping for second time lucky when he faces Italian champion, Vincenzo Finiello, for the IBO Continental Lightweight Title at Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield on Saturday.

Ghaz was meant to face Finiello for his title last month, but the show featuring their bout, was cancelled three days before due to a medical issue.

Now it is take two for Ghaz who also lost out on a honeymoon trip to Dubai, booked for two days after the original fight was due to take place, so he could concentrate on preparations for this Saturday's clash.

Ghaz concedes he was disappointed to miss out on the original fight and his trip to Dubai, but says the extra few weeks preparation time can work in his favour.

He has won all 17 of his professional fights including a third round technical knockout against Liam Shinkwin in his last bout in June.

Ghaz is also confident he can win the first title of his career when he faces Finiello, a show to be screened live on Fightzone.

He said: "It's for my first title.

"It would be amazing to win my first title, it would feel really good.

I'm 100 per cent ready. I need to grab this opportunity with both hands

"I feel really happy that the fight is going ahead. I was really devastated when the fight got cancelled three days before. It was devastating as I put so much effort into it, the time, training in camp.

"I kept on going. I kept in the gym and training hard.

"I was supposed to go on holiday after the last fight was due to take place.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Hamed Ghaz, right, in action during a previous fight. Picture: Brian Hanley (One Touch Photography)Hamed Ghaz, right, in action during a previous fight. Picture: Brian Hanley (One Touch Photography)

"I've been boxing all of my life, I have devoted my life to it. I decided not to go on the holiday as I want to chase my dream.

"This has given me more time to prepare and to be in the gym. At least I know that the fight is happening now."

Ghaz, who turned professional in 2014, says he has plenty of support coming from Bradford, Leeds and across Yorkshire to Saturday's fight and hopes to be the home crowd favourite. Bradford is his adopted city after he was originally from Afghanistan.

He said: "I have a lot of people coming to support me.

"It's going to be really good. I have a lot of people coming from Bradford to support me. It should be a big crowd.

"They are also coming from Leeds and all around Yorkshire. Hopefully the crowd will cheer me on."

The Undercliffe-based fighter says he has a tough test ahead of him against the 37-year-old southpaw.

Ghaz added: "Finiello is a champion in Italy. He has a good record and he will come to win. He was the same opponent I was meant to be fighting on the show a few weeks ago.

"He is in good shape. I'm confident. I've been doing it all of my life.

"I will have challenges on the way, but I will keep on pushing through to my ultimate goal of being a world champion.

"I want to be the best fighter to have come out of Bradford. It's a big ambition and it's going to be hard work, but it has to be done."