Boxing: 'Diabetic Kid' Muhammad Ali looks to maintain unbeaten record with Friday fight

Photo: Neale Hyanes

Muhammad Ali

Rochdale boxer, ‘The Diabetic Kid’ Muhammad Ali will be looking to maintain his unbeaten score with his next fight on Friday (1 July).

Ali, who trains at Salford’s Oliver’s Gym under Humphrey Harrison, will be boxing at the University of Bolton stadium on the JR Promotions bill. He is currently unbeaten with a 7-win record.

He said: “I’m feeling great I want to thank my coach Humphrey Harrison for all the hard work put into camp. The journey of making history again by becoming the first diabetic champion in professional boxing continues. This Friday night, all being well, we go 8-0. 

“Finally, I’d like to thank everyone from Rochdale, all my sponsors and fans buying tickets. I really appreciate everyone’s support.”

Ali made history in September 2018, becoming the first UK boxer with type one diabetes to fight professionally, following a three-year battle against the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

Read more: Type one diabetic boxer from Rochdale first to be granted professional licencePublished: 09 May 2018

Ali was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was around the age of five, an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of sugar in your blood. It requires regular administration of insulin either by injection or by insulin pump.

He began boxing after encouragement from his mum, and began administering his own insulin when he was around 16.