ALEX Abusin is hoping to add another champion to his emerging stable of fighters when Owais Khan heads to Runcorn for a tilt at the English Muay Thai title on Saturday night. 

Abusin is no stranger to championship action himself, having held the British crown during an illustrious career, but Saturday’s event will be another chance to add to the growing reputation of his burgeoning fight camp.

The opportunity comes a matter of weeks after another of his fighters, Sohail Khan, had one hand on the English 64kg belt before a freak shoulder injury forced him to be withdrawn from his own title bout.

 However, there is a quiet confidence in the gym that Owais Khan will go one step closer when he challenges incumbent champion Joe Swinnerton this weekend.

 Despite dealing with injury setbacks of his own, Khan has built a reputation as an all-action, technical fighter and there is a growing belief in the gym that this Saturday could be his opportunity to announce his presence amongst the sport’s domestic elite. 

Over the past decade, Abusin’s Killinghall Road Gym has become a cornerstone of the local community, providing a focus for local youths and a platform for aspiring athletes.

Victory for Khan this weekend would add to the gym’s prestige, but Abusin has his eyes on a more important goal.

He commented ahead of the bout: “This sport has been everything to me since I was a teenager - it literally changed my life.

“What we’re doing here goes beyond sport though. When I look at Owais, I don’t just see an outstanding athlete, I see an outstanding young man.

“The dedication he has for training and the way he conducts himself inside and outside of the gym is exemplary. The kids round here are crying out for role models and that’s exactly what Owais is. Win or lose on Saturday he’s already a champion in our eyes.”

Khan will be joined on the card on Saturday night by two of his team-mates. 20-year-old prospect Adam Hussain will be looking to impress when he takes on James Ojounru in what promises to be one of the stand-out bouts on the undercard.

Elsewhere, Josie Windle will make her long-awaited debut when she takes on Ailish Glover.

“This is the tip of the iceberg,” Abusin added. “We’ve got talented fighters all lining up to compete, but we’re also offering somewhere that anyone can walk through the door, train alongside champions and learn to be the best version of themselves.”