Young Walsall boxer scores stunning national title win

Uddin, the younger brother of professional star Hamza, repeated the feat of his older sibling by winning a senior national title aged just 18.

His victory over Billy Macey in the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs Championship (NABGC) was all the more impressive for the fact it was his first fight since losing to the same opponent in the National Amateur final seven months previously.

This time Uddin came out on top from a thrilling bout, taking a 3-2 split decision.

“For this fight I was able to prepare 100 per cent and show my true ability,” the light-flyweight told the Express & Star. “I truly believe I can beat any fighter in Europe.”

Uddin has an impressive amateur pedigree having also won three national titles as a junior and youth.

His next target will be the National Amateur Championships in the spring, before he boxes for England in the Three Nations tournament. 

Already on the radar of Team GB, he has aspirations to box in the Olympics or quickly follow Hamza into the pro ranks.

The latter, three years his senior, is the reigning English flyweight champion.

Yusuf, who also studies sport science at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “Hamza is one of my biggest inspirations and we coach each other behind the scenes.

“I am just as obsessed with boxing as he is. I always have been. I would have been about two and him five when we had our first bout in the house! I think we are going to be the best brothers in boxing.

“My long-term goal is to be a professional world champion. In the short-term, I just want to keep racking up the titles.”

Proud dad Raj, who also coaches both sons, said: “Yusuf was brilliant. He went seven months without a fight and then goes straight back in and boxes the lad who beat him last time out.

“It was a great performance, the best bout of the entire tournament. The way he turned things around was really excellent. 

“He’s got a lot to look forward to and is very ambitious but there is no rush.”