Raza set to hit heights with Falcon

THE MIDLAND BOXING BEAT WITH MIKE LOCKLEY

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RAZA Hamza, the Birmingham boxer who has frustrated and dazzled in equal measure, has landed a dream deal with Pakistan's leading promotional outfit.

Financial terms have not been revealed, but if Hamza strings together a winning run for Falcon Promotions, he claims the cash could be “life changing”. It is a two-year contract with the potential to make him “the face of boxing in Pakistan”, the former British title challenger has announced.

The partnership kicks off on November 29 when 33-year-old Raza boxes in a spanking new 5,000-capacity stadium in Lahore. The show also features Pakistan’s former world flyweight title challenger, Muhammad Waseem.

“I'll be fighting four times next year, and that’s the worst-case scenario,” said Raza, who is part of McCracken’s gym. “The plan is to get someone who's decent, then my second fight in April will be for a title, something down the WBA route. Fighting on the same bill as Muhammad Waseem is a dream come true.”

“This is major,” the super-lightweight stressed, “this is backed by the government there. It can change my life if I win my next few fights. The aim is to become the face of boxing in Pakistan. I can talk and I can fight.” For Raza, the good news caps a frustrating ten-year pro journey. He hits hard and has talent to burn but seemed destined to incinerate those gifts on a bonfire of inactivity.

In a stop-start career, Raza built a long, 18-fight unbeaten run before being outpointed in 2022 by James Beech.