Interview with Adnan Amar

By Gary Smith: Adnan Amar (25-1, 7 KO’s) is a 29 year old welterweight from Nottingham. He is fighting for the vacant English welterweight title on March 17 on the undercard of the Kell Brook v Matthew Hatton fight at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

You take on Lee Purdy on 17 March in Sheffield for the vacant English welterweight title. How do you see that playing out?

Lee will come forward and try and impose himself and force a pace, however I will have sharp punches and combinations and movement, controlling the pace with my jab, and landing the telling punches. I hope to break him down by 6 or 7.

You are 29 now and have a great record of 25-1. Why do you think you have never had a shot at the British title?

There could be a number of reasons why I have not had a British title shot yet. Politics! Not being a signed fighter therefore not getting the opportunities a signed fighter would get! Kell Brook was British champion whilst I held the English and we train in the same gym and we’re not likely to fight! Another reason my progression has been slow is due to the fact that many opponents pulled out of scheduled English title challenges set by the board.
Some good fighters have come out of the Ingle gym and many have that distinct Ingle style. Do you have that style as well?

I have always watched Ingle fighters ever since I started boxing and followed the Ingle gym. Obviously for me the biggest inspiration and influence was from Naseem Hamed, but I watched them all, Ryan Rhodes, Johny Nelson, Herol Graham, Junior Witter etc. I’ve always boxed with a hit and not get hit style, the sweet science as it’s called, Brendan Ingle’s basic philosophy on fighting.

Apart from yourself who do you rate as the 3 best British welterweights?

Top 3 in the uk, not inluding myself, would be Kell brook, Junior Witter and Colin Lynes.

The main fight on the bill on 17 March is Kell Brook v Matthew Hatton. How do you see that going?

I see Kell outclassing Matthew. Kell knows too much and has so much skill compared to Matthew but it’s still an interesting fight and one to look forward to as Matthew has proved his toughness and has a big heart.

Do you have a boxing nickname and if so, how did it come about?

I don’t have a boxing alias but I don’t use the common “Team Joe Bloggs” for my team. For instance instead of “Team Amar” I opted to use “The A Team” using my initial which of course is from the popular TV series from the 80′s.

What was your amateur record and did you fight anyone who is now a big name in the pro’s?

I didn’t have much of an amateur career. I was on and off boxing for 2 years, only had about 12 fights and won about 8 I think.

Your only defeat was an 8 round TKO at the hands of Dean Hickman. Would you like to fight him again to avenge that loss?

It would have been nice to fight Dean Hickman again soon after, while he was still unbeaten, to avenge the loss and sort of set the record straight and at welterweight as light welterweight was definitely not my weight. However he’s had a string of losses since then, most by KO so for me it’s not proving anything and a step backwards.

I only want to beat the best and be recognised as the best.

Which music track do you make your ring entrance to?
It varies.
What made you decide to take up boxing?

Naseem Hamed and Brendan Ingle from the video, Natural Born Thriller.

You’ve stopped 7 of your opponents. How good is your power?

I have a very deceptive record in terms of showing my punch power as there are only 7 KO’s. What they don’t know is most of those opponents I knocked out cold. I’ve used a lot of my opponents to learn off and get rounds under my belt. I have spent countless hours harnessing my punching technique and it has improved. I’m not a naturally big puncher but I am accurate when I land.

Who is a) the best boxer and b) the hardest puncher you have faced at pro or amateur level?

I have sparred people much better than any I have fought, as I don’t remember having any hard fights. Brook, Witter, Khan, DeGale, and Proksa (fights for the European Middleweight title on 17th March) have all been good spars, better than any opponents.

Who are your boxing heroes?

My boxing heroes are Muhammed Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Naseem Hamed and Junior Witter.

Where would you most like to headline a fight?

Las Vegas or Wembley Stadium

Out of the current prospects in British Boxing, apart from yourself who do you predict can go on and become a world champion?

My close friend, Abdul Barry Awad aka Kid Galahad at bantamweight.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career and in what way?

Brendan Ingle has been the biggest influence in my career by far. I’ve known Brendan almost 10 years now and he speaks to me exactly the same as he did the first time I met him, as if he’d known me all my life. I’ve learnt so much in the time I have been with Brendan and his sons, John and Dominic. We are very close.

I have learned a lot from listening to Brendan, from how to fight and be a successful boxer to being an upstanding member of the community. Basic morals and principles and everyday common sense.

Give me 3 words to describe your personality?

Determined, relaxed, positive.

Who are your closest friends in boxing?

Everyone in the Ingle gym, it’s like a big family. I’m quite close to Brendan, Kid Galahad, youtube sensation Usman “Uzzy” Ahmed, Amir Khan, Kell Brook and Junior Witter. Nadeem ” Golden Boy” Siddique is a very close friend and has helped me throughout my career and also Richard Towers because he is a very close friend.

What do you hope to have achieved by the end of 2012?

I want to be British champion and defending it or challenging for European or even a world title.

Finally, do you have a message for your supporters?

I am flattered and humbled by the support I get from my fans. I wish I could meet them all individually and thank them but I just hope they keep supporting me and following my career for years to come.

Remember, be sure to check out Adnan Amar vs Lee Purdy on March 17th at Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, and you can follow Adnan on Twitter @adnan_amar for further updates on his career