Unbeaten Qasim ‘Cast Iron’ Niaz says it will be dream come true if he can clinch the WBC Youth Intercontinental title next month.

Qasim is going up against AJ Faizy on Saturday, October 17 in a showdown between two of the best boxing talent in the region. AJ Faizy will be no pushover but Qasim is looking forward to the challenge.

Qasim said: “Hopefully, I will put on a show for my fans. Two local boxers going for a world title in Blackburn is going to be great and great for boxing."

“This is a big opportunity for me. If I win this then I get a ranking with the WBC world rankings. I’ve always dreamed of things like this and all the hard work over the years will hopefully pay off.”

FROM BACK PAGE: Qasim said: “This is a big opportunity for me. If I win this then I get a ranking with the WBC world rankings. I’ve always dreamed of things like this and all the hard work over the years will hopefully pay off.”

Danny Garcia won this exact same championship in 2009 and then went on to become world champion, also beating Amir Khan.

“It will be an amazing achievement to get my name down along side these boxing superstars. If I win I will also become the first British Pakistani to win a professional youth title.

“I’ve been training all the way through Ramadan. That was really tough but I managed to get there. It’s been a long, hard training camp, mentally and physically. I’ve had a few personal issues but I’ve kept going strong and remained focused on what I need to do.”

Faizy is also good prospect. The 21-year-old, who was born in Afghanistan, has won five, drawn one and lost one of his seven professional bouts.

Qasim realises it won’t be easy and said; “Yeah, it should be a good fight.

“Since the age of 12 when I started boxing, I always dreamed of things like this, of becoming a champion as a professional and what better way to do it than in my home town in front of my own people.

“Winning this title will take me to the next level of professional boxing and I’ll be on my way to the big time.

“After being an amateur boxer from the age of 12 up until 17 I was doing well and then kind of went offtrack.

“It’s been four years now since I’ve been on the right tracks and during that time I’ve managed to turn my life around and became a professional boxer.

“And now I have chance to take it to the next level and become someone from the streets to a champion.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors AMT Lawyers, H&S Interiors and DVR car valeting'.

Tickets are available by contacting 07568 393341 or by calling the King George’s Hall Box Office on 0844 847 1664.