Ukashir Farooq (born 3 January 1996[1]) is a Scottish former professional boxer who competed from 2015 to 2021. He held the British bantamweight title from 2018 to 2019 and challenged once for the Commonwealth bantamweight title in 2019.

Kash Farooq
Born
Ukashir Farooq

(1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 28)
Gujranwala, Pakistan
Nationality
  • Pakistani
  • Scottish
Other namesUntouchable
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[2]
Total fights17
Wins16
Wins by KO6
Losses1

Early life

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Ukashir Farooq, known by friends and family as "Kash", was born on 3 January 1996 in Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. One of three brothers, he and his family immigrated to England and applied for asylum in 2002, initially living in London before being relocated to Glasgow, Scotland.[3] He first entered a boxing gym in 2010 after being invited by a friend. In an interview with The Herald, Farooq recalled: "I wasn’t interested in boxing at the start" and "...the trainer saw me hitting a few bags and asked me to come back. I came back and did some sparring and it just continued from there. Now I love boxing."[4]

Professional career

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Farooq made his professional debut on 25 October 2015, winning a four round points decision over Craig Derbyshire at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.[5]

After winning his first seven fights, he challenged Scott Allan for the Scottish Area bantamweight title on 23 November 2017 at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Farooq won via eighth-round technical knockout (TKO).[6]

On 27 September 2018, he faced Jamie Wilson at the St. Andrew’s Sporting Club in Glasgow.[7] Farooq scored a TKO victory 73 seconds into the first round to capture the vacant British bantamweight title, becoming the first Scottish boxer in 21 years to do so.[8]

The first defence of his British title came on 30 November 2018, against Iain Butcher at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow.[9] Farooq retained his title with a unanimous decision over twelve rounds.[10]

He defended his title for the second time on 25 April 2019, against undefeated Kyle Williams at the Radisson Blu Hotel, winning via fifth-round TKO.[11]

On 17 August 2019, Farooq beat Duane Winters by first-round knockout (KO) at the Radisson Blu Hotel to retained his British bantamweight title.[12]

On 16 November 2019, he challenged Commonwealth bantamweight champion Lee McGregor at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow. Farooq lost a highly disputed and controversial split decision in which many felt Farooq should have been the clear victor.[13]

In January 2022, in a statement released via St. Andrew's Sporting Club, Farooq announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 26. Citing "unforeseen circumstances", the statement thanked the British Boxing Board of Control, saying it's procedures kept the "health and safety of the boxers paramount at all times". It was also revealed that Farooq will be taking the role of "Head of Talent" for the St. Andrew's Sporting Club.[14]

Professional boxing record

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17 fights 16 wins 1 loss
By knockout 6 0
By decision 10 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
17 Win 16–1 Luis Gerardo Castillo UD 10 14 Aug 2021 Matchroom Headquarters, Brentwood, England Won vacant WBC International bantamweight title
16 Win 15–1 Alexander Espinoza UD 10 10 Apr 2021 Copper Box Arena, London, England Won WBC International Silver bantamweight title
15 Win 14–1 Ángel Aviles UD 10 14 Nov 2020 The SSE Arena, London, England Won vacant WBA Continental (Europe) bantamweight title
14 Loss 13–1 Lee McGregor SD 12 16 Nov 2019 Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland Lost British bantamweight title;
For Commonwealth bantamweight title
13 Win 13–0 Duane Winters KO 1 (12), 2:58 17 Aug 2019 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland Retained British bantamweight title
12 Win 12–0 Kyle Williams TKO 5 (12), 2:05 25 Apr 2019 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland Retained British bantamweight title
11 Win 11–0 Iain Butcher UD 12 30 Nov 2018 Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland Retained British bantamweight title
10 Win 10–0 Jamie Wilson TKO 1 (12), 1:12 27 Sep 2018 St. Andrew’s Sporting Club, Glasgow, Scotland Won vacant British bantamweight title
9 Win 9–0 Jose Hernandez TKO 2 (6) 16 Jun 2018 Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Scotland
8 Win 8–0 Scott Allan TKO 8 (10), 2:31 23 Nov 2017 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland Won Scottish Area bantamweight title
7 Win 7–0 Georgi Andonov TKO 1 (6) 21 Sep 2017 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
6 Win 6–0 Michael Barnor PTS 6 3 Jun 2017 Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Scotland
5 Win 5–0 Dimitrijs Gutmans PTS 6 20 Apr 2017 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
4 Win 4–0 Scott Allan PTS 10 19 Jan 2017 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
3 Win 3–0 Brett Fidoe PTS 6 26 May 2016 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
2 Win 2–0 Anwar Alfadli PTS 4 21 Jan 2016 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
1 Win 1–0 Craig Derbyshire PTS 4 25 Oct 2015 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Ukashir Farooq Bio Information - PBC Boxing". FOX Sports. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Boxing record for Kash Farooq". BoxRec.
  3. ^ "Boxer Ukashir Farooq aiming to make history". Asian Image. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Ukashir Farooq looks to Kash in after defending his British bantamweight title against Iain Butcher". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  5. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  6. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  7. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Kash Farooq stops Jamie Wilson after 73 seconds to win British bantamweight title". 27 September 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  9. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  10. ^ "British bantamweight title: Farooq beats Butcher to retain belt". 1 December 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  11. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  12. ^ "Kash Farooq defends British bantamweight title by beating Duane Winters". 17 August 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  13. ^ "Lee McGregor controversially beats Kash Farooq to win British title & retain Commonwealth title". 22 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  14. ^ Lewis, Ron (6 January 2022). "Kash Farooq, 26-Years-Old, Retires From Boxing". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 7 January 2022.