ASIAN LEADER COMMENT

When I'm looking for a story about a young rising sports star in the North, Martin Bateson's Burley Hill Amateur Boxing Gym in Leeds is a regular haunt – he has a stable of the some of the best young Asian boxers around.

Now, thanks to some substantial funding from Sports England, in recognition of Bateson's great service to the local community, the boxing coach looks set to continue his good work for many years to come.

Fourteen-year-old Qais Ashfaq is one of Bateson's prize assets, a two-time National champion at the Golden Gloves, whose slick 'in and out' fighting style is attracting plenty of praise.

Qais told Leader: "I'm fighting in the European Box Offs later this month and when I win there I'll be able to represent England in August – then I can win there too."

The youngster certainly doesn't lack in confidence, but his coach agrees he has potential to progress further in the sport.

"Qais is capable of beating any of the lads at this 'box off' event and because of some of the European rulings he could go up against lads a little older with more experience, but I'd be confident putting him in against them – he's that good."

Another name to keep an eye on from the gym is Adil Anwar, 20, bursting with similar levels of confidence after recording a first win in the professional ranks, over Barnsley's Craig Tomb at Elland Road on 14 June.

Anwar says: "It was six rounds of two minutes and I felt good, I've been doing a lot of sparring in preparation and I was consistent in every round, it was an easy fight for me.

"It was time for me to go pro and I haven't found it difficult, I feel much freer without the head guard and I'm ambitious to do well."

Bateson agrees: "Adil was having a great amateur career, but it was getting to the point where finding opponents was getting increasingly difficult – nobody wanted to fight him.

"He's a clever switch boxer and throws some great combinations – I had no hesitations in letting Adil turn professional, because if he commits himself to the training like he has been doing then he can do very well for himself."

Also in Bateson's impressive stable of boxers is Golden Gloves silver medallist Hisan Yaqoub, and fellow Golden Gloves finalists, identical twins Ben and Damon Jones.

The Leeds based trainer is currently putting the finishing touches to the regeneration of his gym and is committed to engaging with the local communities within Leeds to encourage more kids to get involved in sport.

He says: "I look after all the boxing stuff and we're now working with areas such as Burley, Meanwood and Seacroft, but my wife also looks after cheerleader classes and we have dance coaches, so we want kids and adults, boys and girls, to take advantage of these new facilities.

He added: "We're working alongside schools as well with the boxing and if any of the kids are good enough then the idea is that they can start training here."

It seems therefore that Bateson's Gym will be providing sports stories to Asian Leader for a long time yet to come.

ENDS