DREAM START: Ali Shah with trainer Brendon Ingle who is expecting big things of him.
Ali Shah could not have dreamed of a better start to his professionl career.
The 21-year-old floored Amir Nadi three times on his way to a convincing points win at the Tara Sports and Leisure Centre in Oldham.
Shah, who fights out of Ingle's Sheffield-based gym, completely outclassed his Birmingham opponent in the four round bout and knocked him down in the second, third and fourth rounds.
"I could not have wished for a better start to my professional career," said Shah.
"In truth, I could have stopped him but I wanted to put on a show.
"He was a good opponent and every credit to him for keeping on getting back up but I was just too good for him."
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Shah is a stablemate of WBC world light welterweight champion Junior Witter, and Ingle - who mentored Prince Naseem Hamed - is backing his latest fighter to follow in his footsteps.
"This boy will cause a few upsets, I am sure of that," said the 66-year-old Irishman.
"He is a very good fighter and in the time I have worked with him, he has shown he has the dedication, desire and commitment to go all the way to the top.
"I can see Ali winning British and Commonwealth titles and challenging for world titles in a few years. Some people may think I am mad but I think Ali is a real talent."
Lightweight Shah is now hoping his next fight is in his own backyard.
"I am from Blackburn and would love to fight in front of my own friends and family. I think a fight here would cause a lot of interest because I know a lot of people from Blackburn and Sheffield would come to watch me fight."
Ingle is moulding Shah to the same sort of show fighter as Naseem Hamed and Johnny Nelson - two of his former world champions - and the former Blackburn College student is confident in his own abilities.
"This fight was a stepping stone for me. I want to be fighting for the British title within two years and I will definitely be a world champion," added Shah, who stands at 6ft 2inches tall. "The only person who can stop me is myself.
"When I was younger, I was always getting into trouble," said Shah, who was sent to Tullyallan Special School in Darwen because of his behaviour problems.
"I had no self control, got into a lot of fights and was always in trouble with the police.
"If it wasn't for boxing then I know I would have ended up in prison."
Shah said his time at Tullyallan and Blackburn College, where he studied a sports science course, helped him control his temper.
its great to now that a sport ike boxing can really help people and i wish this guy good luck for his future as you can see him for a good role model for youths out there who cant control their behaviour..become aggressive and violent
its great to now that a sport ike boxing can really help people and i wish this guy good luck for his future as you can see him for a good role model for youths out there who cant control their behaviour..become aggressive and violent
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