BRADFORD’S newly crowned world champion boxer, Tasif Khan, has dedicated his latest victory to his loyal promoter Stanley Williams.
Williams, of Monarch Promotions, guided Khan to the Bukom Boxing Arena, Ghana last Friday where the Bradford star was crowned WBC Silver Super Flyweight Champion of the World after a clinical knockout victory.
After putting down his Venezuelan opponent David Barreto (17-3-0) in the first round with a fierce body shot, Khan made no mistake in getting a knockout in the third round to claim the WBC world title.
Amidst the joy of being crowned champion of the world, the super flyweight star told the T&A that these life changing opportunities wouldn’t arise if it weren’t for his promoter.
Khan said: “I’d like to dedicate this victory to my promoter Stanley Williams and Monarch Promotions.
“I’m so grateful for the belief and trust they’ve shown in me over the last few years. They’ve given me the platform and opportunities to showcase my talent across the world and I can’t thank them enough.”
It’s been five days since Khan lifted the belt in Ghana and he admitted that even now the feeling remains the same.
He said: “I’m still absolutely buzzing from my victory because a win like this represents a massive milestone for myself. Growing up though boxing, the WBC green belt is so prestigious and it’s one that you want to win during your career, so to have it in my hands last Friday was a dream come true for me and my family.”
Khan added: “We’d been in talks for a fight of this magnitude for a while and originally we were discussing a fight for the Intercontinental WBO title, but this opportunity came up to fight for the WBC title and it was an offer we couldn’t refuse.
“The title that I was fighting for on Friday was an interim world title, so this victory legitimately puts me in-line for one of those big fights against the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada and Román González. So, winning that silver belt means everything to me, and hopefully it gives me the chance to look forward to a special fight in the future for the WBC main title which is held by Estrada.”
Reflecting on his performance against Barreto, Khan said: “Me and the team were delighted with my performance on Friday because my opponent was a world level fighter; he’s shown that by fighting for a world title against a Russian opponent two fights before the one against me. He only lost that on points.
“We were never underestimating Barreto because he has 17 wins to his name with 16 of them coming through knockout, so we knew he could punch very hard. For me, I had the reach advantage, so it was about making the most of that. I managed to do that and kept him at arm’s length.
“I felt quick, agile and strong in the ring and my knockdown in the first round set me up nicely for the rest of the fight. I was able to use my jab effectively and then I caught him with an overhand right in the third round to win the fight. Overall, it was a very strong performance and it was one that me and the team could all be proud of.”
Khan confirmed that his next fight date will be announced in due course and hinted towards a bout in the USA.
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