Bhatia’s passion switches Laights out on pro debut (From News Shopper)

Bhatia’s passion switches Laights out on pro debut

5:48pm Tuesday 6th June 2006 in Sport By Tim Ashton

IF PASSION was all it took to win boxing matches, Akaash Bhatia would already be world champion.

The 23-year-old talks about the sport with such infectious enthusiasm it is easy to believe he will go far both inside and outside the ring.

Bhatia, another product from Frank Maloney's Deptford Fight Factory production line, has won his first professional featherweight bout with consummate ease.

His victim, Kristian Laight from Nuneaton, was defeated on points after four rounds at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Bhatia said: "As soon as I got in the ring I knew what I had to do and whoever they put in front of me was not going to beat me. That's how confident I felt.

"I hit him hard in the first minute or so and after that he did not come forward so it was a question of him surviving the fight.

"He was very good at defending and it was difficult to get through sometimes, he kept his guard up and just wanted to get through it."

The former Greenwich University student added: "I was giving a lot of weight away as he came in as a lightweight and I am a featherweight.

"I think if I had remained calm in the ring I would have stopped him as I hit him with some cream shots and in the second or third round I hit with a left hook and his legs wobbled."

He added: "Overall I thought it was a perfect professional debut as he didn't catch me at all and I dominated the whole fight."

The transition from amateur to professional has been carefully orchestrated by trainer Tunde Ajayi.

Bhatia said: "As an amateur I had the strength and power but was quite limited in the skill department.

"In fights I pulled through mostly down to determination and training every day but now I am learning so much through Tunde.

"He is slowing me down and dissecting my game and we're working really hard.

"Everyday at the gym I'm working on something new and then I go home and watch a video of a fight and pick up something else from a professional. I am always learning, learning, learning."

Although it is difficult for the ever-enthusiastic Bhatia he is under strict instructions to rest for a week before training resumes for his next bout in July.

Bhatia first went to the gym aged six and fought 11 times before his 13th birthday winning nine before his family emigrated to Spain where he missed out on five years of the English amateur scene.

When he returned to Greenwich University at 18, he had to start from scratch and ended his amateur days when he lost the ABA National Final on points in December last year.

His conqueror, Steve Smith, went on to win the 57kg Commonwealth gold in Melbourne.

Bhatia, who cites Floyd Mayweather as his inspiration, said: "Frank Maloney wanted me to go professional before the ABA final "The chance came and once I had changed, I knew I had made the right choice.

"I feel sure with all the hard work I am putting in things are going in the right direction."

With his parents back in the country, his mum is his dietician and his dad is the support, Bhatia concentrates 24 hours a day on boxing.

He said: "I get up and eat boxing, go to the gym, come home and watch boxing videos, eat more boxing and then I'm out doing six miles. It is boxing, boxing, boxing."