Type one diabetic boxer from Rochdale first to be granted professional licence

Muhammad Ali Zahid (second from right) was granted a professional boxing licence on 9 May 2018

A Rochdale-born boxer with type one diabetes has become the first in the country to be granted a professional licence by the British Boxing Board of Control.

After 10 years of fighting for a licence, Muhammad Ali Zahid, 24, was finally granted with one following a meeting on Wednesday 9 May. Over the last decade, the Edge Hill graduate has run into a number of issues due to having type 1 diabetes, a condition which runs in his family.

Type one diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of sugar in your blood. It requires regular administration of insulin either by injection or by insulin pump.

Ali said: “I am the first British boxer with type 1 diabetes to be granted a professional licence by the board.

“Three years ago, my case was put to bed and I was denied a license. However, with the support of my manager and advisor, Asad Shamim, and medical doctor Ian Gallan, a leading UK consultant in diabetes, we have today made history in British boxing.

“I cannot wait to enter the arena of world boxing as a professional boxer and will soon be announcing my professional debut fight.  I am very passionate to do my country proud.”