Sheffield fighter rebrands ahead of Magna return

Naphtali Nembhard returns to the ring this weekend for the first time since December

Naphtali Nembhard is ditching his old "Yorkshire Yardie" nickname as he rebrands for a new phase of his boxing career.

Naphtali Nembhard Pic by Daniel Marsh | Daniel Marsh

placeholder image — Naphtali Nembhard Pic by Daniel Marsh | Daniel Marsh

The 30-year-old super middleweight returns to the ring for the first time since December with a new moniker and a fresh desire to challenge for titles.

Nembhard inherited the Yardie alias from manager Izzy Asif, but feels the time is right for "Nap City" to replace it, a term his friends have used for years.

"We are moving to the next chapter," he explained. "The name change is to signify a new era.

"So much has changed since December in my mindset and focus. I have been out because there were a few things I had to sort out.

"I have evolved as a person and changed. The best years are to come."

Naphtali Nembhard in Sheffield Pic courtesy of Ryan Marsden | Ryan Marsden

The Totley fighter, a lecturer at Chesterfield College, said he had become "even more obsessed" with boxing in his time off.

"My mindset and work rate and have both strengthened and doubled and I’m excited to do what I do Saturday night in front of another good crowd."

This weekend will see him perform at the Magna Centre, Rotherham on a Jamie Sheldon/Ryan Rhodes bill.

His opponent has not been officially confirmed but it is likely to be Costa Rican Jose Aguirre.

Unbeaten Nap, trained by Sean Thickett at Wolseley Road gym in Lowfield, is hoping to record his eighth straight win.

The 6ft 2ins boxer hopes to move on from six rounders soon and edge towards a title eliminator.

Nembhard said he was originally matched with former sparring partner Lukasz Kucharski, for Saturday's show but the Pole was stopped in his last fight on June 4.

Nembhard summed up: "I started boxing competitively quite late. But my ambition is to win titles, make my coach proud of me and my bucket list includes fighting in another country."