Boxing
Aqib Fiaz 'prepared to excel' against big domestic rival
Itauma vs Franklin: Subscribe to watch - Jan 24
Aqib Fiaz believes he is a class above Jordan Flynn ahead of their clash on January 24.
The pair meet on the undercard of Moses Itauma's heavyweight contest with Jermaine Franklin at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena and the stacked card will be live and exclusive on DAZN.
Both men have bounced back from their sole defeat with two victories and neither can afford another loss in this crossroads bout.
Fiaz (14-1, 2 KOs) thinks he has mixed in better company than Flynn (13-1-1, 2 KOs) and he hopes that will show on fight night.
Fiaz told The Ring: "For me, he’s got a big following and a big name but really and truly accomplished nothing. He's beat who? Nobody. That's what I think.
"That's the difference. You go through our records and you see who's got the padded record. You see who's having tickover fights with journeymen between these fights.
"I'm a real fighter, always have been. Since I was 18 I've always been in real fights."
Fiaz was very young when he turned professional in 2019 and quickly found himself boxing on big shows.
While he lost his unbeaten record to Reece Bellotti in October 2023, the 26-year-old feels he is much more mature now and better equipped to deliver on his undoubted potential.
"I wouldn't say it's a brand new start. I feel like when I was coming in on these big shows and fighting on TV as a youngster before my loss, I was 21-to-23 and had already been through a lot," he added.
"I was carrying a lot of trauma from the things that happened in my personal life. I kind of probably wasn't ready to do this but now feel like I'm a man. I feel like I'm much older, much more experienced. I’m a father and fighting for that bit more now.
"I feel like I'm prepared to excel and do what I always set out to do now."
Watch Itauma vs. Franklin with a DAZN subscription
Raising star Moses Itauma faces his toughest test yet against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday, January 24, as part of the Queensberry Magnificent 7 fight card. Watch exclusively with DAZN a subscription, monthly and annual options available.
