Zak the Ripper is ready for a fight
Unlicensed boxing star Zak the Ripper has told Chuck Jones to expect "a tear up" on his debut next week - when Jason Welborn will fight through the pain barrier.
Unlicensed boxing star Zak the Ripper has told Chuck Jones to expect "a tear up" on his debut next week - when Jason Welborn will fight through the pain barrier.
'The Ripper' - real name Saquib Amir - will box pro for the first time next Saturday night against Jones, provided the well-schooled Welshman is not stopped or cut fighting Paul Frost in Derby tonight.
Dudley's Welborn has also vowed to make the bill in Walsall, despite breaking two bones in his right hand in sparring, and take his place for a light middleweight contest against Lincoln's Rick Boulter.
'The Ripper' is also raring to go after what has been a long journey to the paid ranks, turning over at age 28.
The boxing bricklayer only came back to the sport last June but won an English title as an unlicensed fighter, before trainer Andy Flute brought him across to the pro game.
The Dudley dynamo has a good amateur pedigree, once sharing a ring with Birmingham's Commonwealth Games gold medallist Don Broadhurst.
But the featherweight knows he faces a tough test against Jones having watched his opponent's professional debut, a narrow points loss to Dudley's Dean Anderson at Birmingham's Holiday Inn last December.
He said: "Chuck is a sharp boxer, fit and clever, but he doesn't punch as hard as me. I am not being big headed, but for 9st I have got a bang on me, and power can control a fight.
"I will go in there and have a tear up. I don't like to chase people, so if he wants to come forward and fight that is better for me.
"I know myself that I can do alright in this pro game and I won't have a problem against him, I will send him back to Wales beaten."
Flute is the man charged with ensuring a smooth transition into the pro ranks for 'the Ripper' but will encourage aggression, having been a come-forward fighter during his own boxing career.
The 40-year-old for Coseley challenged for the British title at middleweight and contested some memorable brawls in the West Midlands, most notably against Wolverhampton hard-man Nigel Rafferty in 1990 and Errol McDonald in 1999, before hanging up his gloves in 2004.
Now Flute works the corner and 'the Ripper' believes his trainer is an example to follow.
He said: "Andy is a good role model, having him as a trainer does inspire me, because he's been there and done it.
"He encourages me to use my aggression in a controlled manner, as I have got to keep my composure."
For tickets, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
