Lewisham boxer Junior Saeed is back in the ring after a five-year absence preparing for his return bout at the Camden Centre on October 10.
And the super-bantamweight isn’t hiding his ambitions in the countdown to his comeback fight.
“I’m going to train hard and whoever is in front of me isn't going to beat me,” said Saeed.
“I’ll go to war if I have to - and I will win.
“I believe in my ability and think I can get to British title level and beyond, but time will tell.
“Boxing is a tough, tough sport and every fight is hard.
“Even the journeymen come to win these days.”
Saeed, who is managed by Mickey Helliet and trained by Ryan Barrett, feels he has the right team behind him.
And it isn’t the first time he has come under the wing of a Barrett because as an amateur, the Lewisham man was trained by Ryan’s father Steve at Eltham & District ABC.
“I have left the Barretts before but I’ve always ended up coming back,” said Saeed.
“They know how to bring the best out of me and I won’t be leaving them again.”
As an amateur, Saeed won 60 of his 75 bouts, boxed in four national finals and reached the last four of the ABA championship.
“Nobody has ever been better than me,” he added.
“I lost the four finals by one point, I was robbed and disqualified.
“Even when I lost I still knew I was the best, but I wasn't really interested in boxing for trophies. I box for money and belts.”
Saeed launched his professional career with a points win at Kensington Town Hall in July 2009 and hasn’t boxed competitively since.
He explained: “I’ve been going to shows since I was aged five and had my first bout when I was 11.
“I missed out on a lot of things when I was growing up because I was boxing.
“I turned professional when I was 20, but I was already falling out of love with boxing. I became a father and wasn't dedicated anymore.”
Saeed added: “I lost focus and got into trouble.
“I'm 25 now. I’m not in trouble, I’m mature and I know what I want.
“I have had time off, but I was always in the gym. I spent a year up in Sheffield sparring Kell Brook, Kid Galahad and everyone at the Ingles’ gym.”
For tickets information on the October 10 fight at the Camden Centre, call 07793 000042.
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