Boxing: ‘The Diabetic Kid’ Muhammad Ali wins fifth professional fight

Muhammad Ali wins fifth professional fight against Jordan Grannum at Oldham Leisure Centre

Type one diabetic boxer, Muhammad Ali, from Rochdale remains unbeaten after winning his fifth professional fight at Oldham Leisure Centre on Saturday (3 August 2019).

Ali was up against his biggest competitor yet, Jordan Grannum, also known as ‘The Brown Eagle’, from London who had experience with over 50 professional fights.

Ali’s manager, Asad Shamim, said: “Ali is still on track to achieving his goal of being the UK’s first ever diabetic world champion.

“He didn’t have an easy opponent; Grannum has a very experienced record with over 50 professional fights, unlike Ali who had only had four professional fights at the time.

“This bout was Ali’s biggest challenge to date, but he still beat his opponent with flying colours.”

Ali made history in September 2018, becoming the first UK boxer with type one diabetes to fight, following a three-year battle against the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

Ali had previously had his application for a professional licence turned down by the BBBofC as a result of his medical condition, because checking blood sugar levels during a fight would be ‘too disruptive’ – despite contradictory advice from the national governing body for boxing.

With the support of manager Asad Shamim and medical doctor, Ian Gallan, a leading diabetes consultant in the UK, the decision was overturned.