Boxer Muhammad Ali prepares for ninth fight

Photo: Neale Hyanes

Muhammad Ali

Rochdale boxer Muhammad Ali is preparing for his ninth fight since turning professional.

‘The Diabetic Kid’ who boasts an unbeaten eight-win record will face his next opponent on 8 October at the Bolton Stadium Hotel.

Ali, who trains at Salford’s Oliver’s Gym, has aspirations of boxing for a title at the Crown Oil Arena in Rochdale.

He said: “I’m looking to winning this fight in style. I want to look impressive as I will be challenging for titles next year. I would love to box at Rochdale football ground in 2023; this is my dream to create history again by becoming the first diabetic champion and boxing at Rochdale football ground.

“I’d like to thank all sponsors who are supporting me on my journey. It means a lot to me helping me to make my dreams become a reality.”

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

Read more: Boxing: historic victory debut for UK's first diabetic boxerPublished: 18 September 2018

Ali was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was around the age of five, 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.

He began boxing after encouragement from his mum, and began administering his own insulin when he was around 16.