'Proud' Akbar celebrates winning start to professional career

Super lightweight Amaar 'The Prodigy' Akbar produced a fine performance to defeat the more experienced Chris Adaway in his professional debut last Saturday.

Akbar, who won two national titles as an amateur, admitted to being nervous and ring-rusty before the fight at London's Copper Box Arena but came through to claim a unanimous points victory.

The Dewsbury-born boxer who signed for Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions last year had not competed for more than 18 months but showed his class to defeat a vastly more experienced and tough opponent in front of the BT Sport cameras.

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Akbar said: "I felt rusty and not as sharp as I could be - maybe at 40 per-cent of my best but I am very happy to come away with a victory.

"It's good to get the debut out of way. I had big crowds for my amateur bouts and judging from the amount of support I have received, the support now is even larger.

"I am looking forward to when crowds are allowed back into stadiums and local support all getting together. The best feeling was when they introduced me, saying I was from Dewsbury. I am proud to be putting my local area on the map for the right reasons."

He added: "I would like to say a big thank you for the support and long may it continue. It appeared to bring everyone together and everyone showed love, specially boosting morale in this difficult time. It was as though people needed this little boost. A special mention to my main sponsors Emojies."

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