Verdict on South Yorkshire fighter's move to Manchester
Two veteran boxing trainers have weighed in on Taz Nadeem’s move from South Yorkshire to Manchester.
Knockout merchant Taz Nadeem - who has built himself a big reputation after fights in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Doncaster - has joined Joe Gallagher's gym over the Pennines and hooked up with Manchester's Inspire Capital Sports for business and sponsorship advice.
He has quit Jamie Kennedy's Millennium gym in Rotherham and reduced his hours as a butcher in Masbrough, to pursue his dream.
Jamie questioned the move, saying: "Why has he gone? No one gets it. I have no idea.
"He just turned up at my house and said he was leaving the gym from tomorrow with no explanation.
"He has got a new sponsor that is Manchester-based. So I think it is about money.
"I have known him since he was 10 years old. It doesn't make sense to me.
"But it's boxing. If anyone sheds a tear over things like that, you might as well quit the sport" said Kennedy.
"I have now got 12 more hours free to spend on other fighters.
"But you have only got one shot at it, so I get that. He is a nice, polite guy, a family guy."
Sheffield's Amer Khan, who has been in Taz's corner several times, commented: "A while ago, I forewarned Taz that people would be whispering in his ear and that is what happened."
Generally speaking, Khan added: "The sport is saturated now with people with little or no boxing experience. I wish him well, but I do find it bizarre."
At 26, Taz, an 8-1-0 super-middleweight, has much to offer the sport.
He said: "I spoke to a lot of good people and got the right advice. I had to spread my wings and get out of my cocoon. Change is very good.
"Joe Gallagher is a great guy; he has made a lot of world champions. He is up there with the best trainers in the world.
"The gym is full of champions and good prospects - when I have been used to training on my own. It is a different level."
Kennedy says Nadeem's move meant he had more time to spend on other pros at the gym, like Wombwell welterweight Jake Jon Cleary.
"Jake had about 10 unlicensed fights, about five amateur, and then after four pro fights, he was offered a shot as an underdog on a BBC show at Leeds (versus hometown hero Ellis Ward) and won.
"Jake knows to get chances, he has to take risks, and was happy to fight whoever comes his way" he said.
"This time next year we hope to go for a Central Area title.
"He might not be a concussive puncher but he is a battler who genuinely believes in himself, but not in a big headed way.
"He will be top of the bill in March (Gary Longmore promotion at the Metrodome, Barnsley) and we are hoping to get him in GBM Sports' The Heist (Rotherham, April 17.)"