Shafiq is on the verge of titles and is looking to push himself into the title picture in the early months of 2018. The Wincobank upstart previewed his next showdown and outlined his plans for 2018.
Shafiq said, “I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring on November 17.
“It’s my first since May so I’m looking forward to showing off my skills for those in attendance and showing why I’m ready for titles.”‘Unique’ continued, “The IBF World Youth title was contested at the weekend.
I’d like to fight for a title like that title or the English title in the early months of next year so I need to be at my best at Bramall Lane to put myself in line for a shot at those types of titles.
“I have the backing of The Trinity Group who look after my commercial dealings with ACA Nottingham and Sapphire Lounge Sheffield and Four Seasons, and I believe with the team I have around me titles will come in the not so distant future.”
Shafiq is based at the legendary Ingle Gym in Wincobank, Sheffield, which is also the base to Kell Brook, Kid Galahad, and WBO Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders as well as rising stars such as Kyle Yousaf. The rising Lightweight opened up about life in the Ingle Camp.
He said, “The gym is buzzing as it always is. Boxing is a lifestyle choice to us so we’re always in the gym and always learning. I think that’s what you have to do if you want to reach your potential as a fighter.
“Billy Joe Saunders is training with us now and he only had a week off after his last fight. He’s back in the gym now and he looks a different fighter now because of how he is training with and living with the Ingle Camp.
“Billy Joe is living with Kid Galahad who is a beast. He lives this sport and when you have those two in the gym together as well as Kell (Brook), it makes you strive to get better and better every day.”
Tickets for Atif Shafiq’s next fight are available by contacting him through www.facebook.com/atif.unique.shafiq1 or www.twitter.com/uniqueshafiq
