Eye injury costs South Yorkshire boxer £25,000
Taz Nadeem was just a few minutes away from potentially pocketing £25,000 in prize money.
But the Rotherham super-middleweight isn’t overly concerned – he believes bigger paydays are on the horizon.
The muscle-bound fighter, 25, suffered an eye injury and his first career defeat in a three-round 'Heist' short-format tournament in Hull at the weekend.
He lost on a majority judges' decision after suffering an eye injury from an accidental clash of heads.
Even if he had won the semi-final against Manchester-based Pole Ryszard Lewicki at the Connexin Live venue, the wound would have blocked him from appearing in the final and potentially collecting the windfall.
Taz, a full-time butcher in Masbrough, said: "It wasn't as if the 25 grand was the be-all and end-all.
"If I'd have won it, I'd have won it, but I didn't and it doesn't matter,
"I am young and I think I have another 10 years in the sport.
"So that 25 grand doesn't compare to what is to come. Talk to me in a few years, when I am fighting for 100 grand!"
Taz had only been in the ring with journeymen up to this point in his career, and his trainer, Jamie Kennedy, was "very impressed" with how he had been progressing until the eye injury.
Kennedy told The Star: "He had been asked to step up to a higher level and put his unbeaten record on the line.
"Everyone in the tournament was more experienced in the amateur ranks and pro ranks.
"He came in with two weeks' notice.
"Lewicki is a 100-fight amateur who represented Poland in the Olympics. He’s currently the central area champion, and with double Taz's pro experience. But what a fight it turned out to be!
"Both gave 100 percent from the start.
"Lewicki made a fast start and forced Taz to step on the gas.
"In round two, I’m not sure how he remained standing from Taz's shots.
"The third was intense and I had Taz winning it until a nasty cut from a clash of heads. He struggled to see in the final minute.
"Overall, Taz showed his class power and spirit. He stepped up in levels and put his name out there.
"We plan to rest and recover and ready for an exciting 2026. He’s shown he’s at a level higher than his (8-1-0) record."
Sheffield-based GBM promoter Izzy Asif summed up: "When we announced that we were bringing back the tournament format, there was so much excitement. But even I have to admit that in my wildest dreams I could not have expected it to be that good.
"Every single fighter should be so proud of the performances they put in, but of course a special mention to the inaugural Heist winner, James Osborne. He said all week about how this money would be life changing to his family. The prize money and knockout bonus could not have gone to a better man."