Al Harbi gunning at welterweight
Tuesday 23rd February 2010, 8:00AM GMT.
Unbeaten Birmingham prospect Nasser Al Harbi has vowed to take the welterweight world by storm after dropping down two divisions for a new push.
The 20-year-old will face his first test against experienced Latvian Segrejs Volodins, a natural welter, at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on March 14.
It’s the young fighter’s toughest test to date, against a stubborn opponent who pushed John O’Donnell close before the Commonwealth champion stopped him in the fifth round two years ago.
But Al Harbi has been buoyed by sparring with the likes of British and Commonwealth light middleweight champion Anthony Small in the run-up to the fight, and wants to be tested in 2010.
He said: “I don’t see anybody as a real threat to me and I have got no problem fighting anyone at this stage.
“I am a confident person, I believe in my own skills and my ability to go out there and do a number on certain people out there at the moment.
“There are realistic fights out there that could get me a title this year, I am only 20 but I believe I am ahead of my age as well.
“Boxing is all about belts, and I am no different in going for those sort of goals.”
Al Harbi, along with trainer and father Nadj, have concentrated on getting the weight down whilst retaining power at their Perry Barr gym.
It has also afforded the chance to recover from a number of injuries to his leg and ribcage, having not fought since last July.
There will be now some fine tweaking before fight night, but Al Harbi is raring to go.
He said: “I can’t wait really, I just want to get back in there as it has been a while since my last fight.
“This has been the best training program yet for me, I have peaked at the right time and I should be at my best come the fight.”
For tickets, contact 07796 293 980. The 12-fight show will also be broadcast online live on pay-per view at a cost of just £2.99, through Hatton TV at www.brandhatton.com.
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