Muslim Boxing Awards return to Birmingham this month to honor British Muslim fighters

Amir Khan, a former Olympian and two-time world champion, was awarded the LB Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. (Courtesy: @legalblows)
Short Url
Updated 12 March 2025
Follow

Muslim Boxing Awards return to Birmingham this month to honor British Muslim fighters

  • The event, now in its second year, is the brainchild of solicitor Adil Hussain, founder of a pro bono legal organization that helps boxers deal with complex business contracts
  • The event will also include a fundraiser in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and a 4-course Ramadan iftar

LONDON: Top British Muslim boxers will be honored at an awards event on March 22 in Birmingham, which organizers describe as a celebration of fighters’ careers and the values of fairness within the sport.

The Muslim Boxing Awards 2025 will take place at the city’s Grand Botanical Suite and be presented by Amir Khan, a former Olympian and two-time world champion, and Johnny Nelson, a former world cruiserweight champion.

This year’s awards ceremony follows the inaugural event in April last year. It is once again organized by Legal Blows, a pro bono legal organization that helps boxers deal with the complexities of business contracts, which said the evening will unite champions, rising stars and boxing legends for a memorable celebration.

“The event will honor the dedication, excellence and values that make Muslim athletes true role models, both inside and outside the ring,” it added.

It will also include a fundraiser in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and a four-course Ramadan iftar.

Legal Blows said the lineup it has assembled for the awards features some of Britain’s top boxers and other leading lights in the sport, including: Shabaz Masoud, holder of the IBO super-bantamweight title; Hamza Uddin, a former Team GB fighter and eight-time national champion; Haseebah Abdullah, England’s first hijab-wearing boxing coach; and Mehek Khalil, an amateur boxer and actress.

The Muslim Boxing Awards is the brainchild of solicitor Adil Hussain, the founder of Legal Blows, in collaboration with renowned boxing figures, including Khan and other top-tier talent.

“Many athletes are unaware that they have the ability to negotiate contracts to obtain more favorable terms,” Hussain said of his work with boxers.

“My goal is to empower them with the tools to protect their interests and maximize their careers.”


Australia injury woes continue with skipper Marsh ruled out of World Cup opener

Updated 59 min 57 sec ago
Follow

Australia injury woes continue with skipper Marsh ruled out of World Cup opener

  • Former captain Steve Smith will join squad in Sri Lanka as cover while Travis Head captains team
  • Marsh sustained direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week, Cricket Australia says 

Australia captain ‌Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening game of their Twenty20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday with a groin ​injury, Cricket Australia (CA) said.

Steve Smith will now join the squad in Sri Lanka as cover, with fellow batsman Travis Head captaining the side at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium and Matthew Renshaw coming into the team.

Marsh sustained a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week and is experiencing ‌pain and ‌discomfort which is restricting his ​movement, ‌the ⁠board added.

“Scans ​have confirmed ⁠internal testicular bleeding, and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice,” CA said in a statement.

Head said at the toss later that Marsh was unlucky to miss out ⁠and appeared to play down the seriousness ‌of the injury. He did ‌not give a timeline for ​his teammate’s return.

“Unfortunately Mitchie ‌Marsh has copped a blow at training a couple ‌of days ago and no one has been willing to massage it out for him,” Head joked after winning the toss and opting to bat.

“He’s the unfortunate one but ‌the rest (of the side) is the same. It’s nice to have a couple ⁠of boys ⁠back from the Pakistan series. Strong team and we’re looking forward to going well.”

Australia are also without fast bowler Pat Cummins, who was ruled out of the event after failing to recover from a niggling back injury. Fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood lost a race to be fit after Achilles and hamstring injuries.

Mitchell Starc has quit the format, leaving them without their top quick bowlers.

The big-hitting Tim David was ​also ruled out of ​the first game as he returns from a hamstring strain.

The 2021 champions take on Zimbabwe in their second match ​on Friday.