Akash Tuqir determined to be a world beater

Tuqir is part of the 13-strong England team heading to St Petersburg for the 2016 AIBA event, writes Craig Birch.

The competition is staged every two years and takes place from November 17-26, with the Shropshire teenager flying out from Heathrow Airport with the squad on Sunday.

They will adjust to their surroundings and put the finishing touches to preparation with England Boxing coaches, before action gets underway the following weekend.

Eight first choices and five reserves compose the line-up, with Tuqir the sole pick at 52kg. For the 18-year-old, it will prove his Youth swansong.

In fact, had he been the same age next year, under new rules, he would have been forced to step up to the seniors as soon as he turned 18.

The tall southpaw instead undertakes a final mission at the top of table of international Youth competition, having previously been a European champion.

He failed to replicate those accomplishments at this year's EUBC Championships, losing at the first hurdle on a points split decision after going up a weight.

But the flyweight is determined to summon the energy that took him all of the way in the EUBCs of November 2015, after dropping back down to 52kg.

He said: "I'm under no illusions that this is the hardest test of my career, but I'm confident in my ability. I don't feel that anybody in the world can beat me at 52kg.

"Becoming EUBC champion in Poland will always be in my mind and I know I can do that again, as long as an unfair decision doesn't go against me. My confidence is not a problem.

"I'm a stand off boxer with an awkward style who is quick and hits hard with my left hand, so it's not tippy tappy stuff. I want to win each bout convincingly and see where it takes me.

"So far I've won a national title, Three Nations gold and the Europeans and this is the last one to get involved with. I've got the experience of the big stage that you need.

"This is my world title fight, another massive opportunity and I don't want to go into the seniors with any regrets. That's a fresh start, I'll be starting from scratch again there."

Tuqir plans to go back up to bantam as a senior, too, and doesn't just blame the weight for failing to make it a second Euro crown.

A family bereavement hampered his camp ahead of crunch time, which was also in Russia, with Georgia's Naveriani Otar getting the better of him.

He had become Euro and then England Youth national club champion in succession beforehand and is adamant he will get back to winning ways.

Tuqir and club coach Khalid Hussain, from Leegomery, are now back training close to home on a regular basis, after coming under the banner of the Len Woodhall Community Club in Madeley.

His 80 unpaid bouts have produced 75 wins, starting at Donnington Boxing Club where he won the Three Nations as a schoolboy. He and Hussain last served Merridale in Wolverhampton.

Tuqir said: "I've been boxing for seven years and I've had a few months to get myself right for this one. I've come down a weight but I'll be going back up, doing it properly this time.

"Before the second Euros, I spent a lot of time in hospital with my grandmother who, sadly, later passed away from a kidney problem. It was a difficult time for me and my family.

"No one can take away what I achieved at the first Euros. I boxed four times and didn't lose a round. Few fighters win a gold medal that easily.

"I'm determined to do well at the worlds and the bar will continue to go up in the seniors. I'm there on merit to show what I can do."