Muslim women's boxing coach 'pushing for change'

A women's boxing coach from Birmingham said she would keep "pushing for change" in the sport after her work was recognised at the Muslim Boxing Awards.

The awards, which took place at the Grand Botanical Suite on Saturday, were set up to celebrate local talent and inspire young people to take up the sport.

Samera Ali, England Boxing's first Muslim female director, won the Female Community Impact Award.

"Women and Muslim women deserve a place in boxing," she said. "This recognition isn't just for me; it's for every young girl who has ever been told she doesn't belong in the ring."

Haseebah Abdullah, who trains up to 40 Muslim women weekly at Smethwick's Windmill Boxing Gym, was also given the award after she played a crucial role in changing strict dress code rules to allow more women to compete in the sport.

"It's an honour to be recognised, but for me, the real reward is seeing more Muslim women step into the gym, gain confidence, and break barriers," she said.

The awards were hosted by former boxing world champions Amir Khan and Johnny Nelson.

"Muslim boxers have been making history for years, and now they're finally getting the recognition they deserve," Khan told the BBC.

"More importantly, events like this can inspire young people to choose the ring over the streets."

Shabaz Masoud, 29, from Stoke-on-Trent, was awarded both Super Bantamweight and Golden Glove Muslim Boxer of the Year.

"I grew up in a rough area, and it would've been easy to take the wrong path," Masoud explained.

"Boxing gave me discipline, a purpose, and a future. If this event helps even one young person find that same path, it's worth it."

The awards also highlighted the sport's role in tackling youth crime, after a recent Sport England report found that young people engaged in structured sports like boxing, were 60% less likely to be involved in violent crime.

Adil Hussain, founder of event sponsor Legal Blows, added: "The goal is simple – to get kids into boxing and off the streets. If even one young person chooses gloves over gangs, this event has done its job."

Ziyad "Zizo" Almaayouf, pioneering Saudi Arabian professional boxer, also attended the event.

"This night is not about me flying in, it's about inspiring the young ones that we want to keep off the streets, they can look up to the talent here today," the 24-year-old said.

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