Scottish boxing fraternity throw support behind Kash Farooq after early retirement

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Scottish boxing community has come together to support talented bantamweight Kash Farooq after his shock retiral from the ring aged just 26.The Renfrewshire Boxing Club and St Andrew’s Sporting Club puncher’s enforced retirement shocked the sport’s fraternity, with an announcement citing “unforeseen circumstances” behind the decision.The skilful boxer had a huge year ahead of him, with a hotly-anticipated rematch with Scottish rival Lee McGregor set to sell out the Hydro in the spring part of a three-fight deal with giant promoters Matchroom Boxing.The sky was the limit should he have come through that clash victorious, but now Farooq will instead switch his focus to supporting other boxers having been named the new head of talent at St Andrew’s Sporting Club.

Alex Whelan, who runs Pro-Life Fitness Centre in Paisley, has been Farooq’s strength and conditioning coach for the last three years.

He admits he was gutted for the dedicated bantamweight but believes he can now help inspire the next generation of Scottish talent from ringside.Speaking exclusively to Express Sport, Whelan said: “I’m gutted for Kash because this was supposed to be his big year.“He was close to fighting in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand in December, he had the rematch with Lee McGregor in April and then he would have been out again before the end of the year.“He has lost out on a life-changing amount of money and it’s a huge shame because he’s so dedicated and so humble.“Naoya Inoue from Japan has been the dominant bantamweight but he won’t be around forever.

That could have been a big chance for Kash further down the line.“McGregor will be gutted as well because that would have been a huge earner, a sell-out at the Hydro is massive.“Your health