Rotherham heavyweight Kashi Ali says he's a threat to any fighter in the division after winning IBF belt in Sheffield

Rotherham heavyweight Kashi Ali says he is a threat to any fighter in the division after winning the IBF European belt convincingly in Sheffield.
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The 29-year-old stopped Czech Tomas Salek in the third round on Friday night, having dropped his opponent in the second, to take his record to 19-1 with his only blemish a disqualification for infamously biting David Price in 2019.

"It feels great," said Ali. "I paced myself a bit and landed a shot we've been working on in the gym and got him out of there.

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"I feel like I'm coming into my prime now. I'm a threat to anyone in the heavyweight division."

Salek arrived for the outdoors show at Sheffield Arena with 13 knockouts from his 17 previous fights – and just two defeats – but was second best on the night.

Ali blooded his nose in round two before flooring him moments later with a well-timed uppercut.

Ali continued to use the uppercut to good effect and finished the job in round three to claim his fourth consecutive win since serving a six-month suspension for infamously biting Price.

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Ali added: “I’ll keep my teeth for smiling from now on, I promise. I did say that I was going to let my fists do the talking, and I definitely did.”

Kash Ali training at Ryan Rhodes' boxing gym.Kash Ali training at Ryan Rhodes' boxing gym.
Kash Ali training at Ryan Rhodes' boxing gym.

Speaking before the fight, the Richard Towers-trained fighter stated his ambitions to fight for world titles.

He told The Star: “I want the British public to get behind me. I genuinely believe that I could be a world champion. The minute I think I can’t do it I won't be in this sport.”

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