Nadeem Siddique is being inspired to take boxing more seriously and rise to the top by his old friend Junior Witter. Siddique is unbeaten in 19 fights but admits he has only just started to take boxing seriously, despite winning British Masters and Midlands Area Titles up at welterweight..
The Bradford lightweight faces Tom Glover on the same Hennessy Sports bill as Witter, who defends his WBC Light-Welterweight title against mandatory challenger Vivian Harris (USA/Guyana) at the Dome at Doncaster Lakeside on Friday.
Siddique has seen Witter rise to the top of his division after dominating the British and European scene. Now Sid is out to try and do the same.
“I’ve known Junior since I was ten years old,” said Sid. “We went to the same school (Rhodesway School).
“We lived in the same area and he lived in the next street to me. I knew he would go all the way in boxing. Any boxer from the Ingle’s gym who can switch hit and dig is going to give anyone trouble.
“He has a chin as well. When was the last time you saw Junior Witter in trouble? The style he’s got I think he would give the likes of Shane Mosely and Floyd Mayweather a tough fight.
“Junior has put Bradford on the map in boxing terms and we are all very proud of him. He is someone for the kids to looks up to.
“He is someone I want to emulate and it’s great to train alongside him to see how he goes about his business. I train at the same gym as the likes of Junior and Esham Pickering and I’m doing fine with them in sparring so I think I’m coming on.”
The Hennessy Sports show in association with title partners GoldenPalace.com will be screened live on Sky Sports and also features the English Super-Flyweight Title fight between Robert Nelson and Andy Bell in an all-Yorkshire encounter.
Also in action is top domestic lightweight Lee Meager, who meets Hungarian Laszlo Komjathi in an international ten round contest.