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Britain’s youngest coach? Hasan Al-saigh learns from Angel Fernandez

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The 20-year-old assists with Richard Riakporhe

Hasan Al-saigh (right) with Richard Riakporhe (center) and Angel Fernandez (left) Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram
Hasan Al-saigh (right) with Richard Riakporhe (center) and Angel Fernandez (left) Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram

At just 20 years ancient, Hasan Al-saigh is already gaining experience and knowledge that he can relish.

Al-saigh has become an integral part of trainer Angel Fernandez’s Loughborough-based stable, which includes former British cruiserweight champion Richard Riakporhe, who will face Olanrewaju Durodola for the WBC silver title this Saturday night.

It all started with a two-hour phone conversation, and over eight months later he will be working in his second professional corner.

“I knew a boy named Charles Frankham who was in his stable at the time,” Al-saigh said proboxing-fans.com.

“At first I just said, ‘Do you have Angel’s contact information? I’m a huge fan.

“By then I was training amateurs and he gave me his phone number and we exchanged a phone conversation and it lasted about two hours, just talking about philosophy, boxing and life.

“So much so that he said, ‘Would you like to come to the gym for a week?’ and I did and it went from there.

“It was the best eight months of my life. I learned a lot there.”

Hasan ensures that he is not just an understudy, he is involved in all aspects of the gym, including road work with Riakporhe, as well as studying fights and perfecting his craft.

The 20-year-old assists Richard Riakporhe during training.  Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram
The 20-year-old assists Richard Riakporhe during training. Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram

Gripping the gloves of one of the most explosive fighters in the cruiserweight division can take its toll, but with advice from strength and conditioning experts, the adolescent trainer is able to break through the pain barrier.

“It is tough!

“But I’ve had some S&C advice from Chris Baird in Loughborough who has given me joint and muscle strengtheners so I’m not in as much pain as before.

– But he’s still very sore.

Hasan’s mentor, Fernandez, has been a key part of Anthony Joshua’s coaching team in recent years, alongside head coach Robert McCracken.

Appointed before his rematch victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, the Spaniard supervised his last two fights against Kubrat Pulev and Aleksander Usykin which he was vacated as the World Heavyweight Champion.

Al-saigh says Fernandez is always one step ahead and admits his goal is to dedicate his success in the sport to his behind schedule former coach Derek Ashcroft and also become a head coach.

Al-saigh with former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram
Al-saigh with former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua Photo: @hasan.a_1 Instagram

“With Angel, he is always one step ahead.

“There are always three or four things that maybe I wouldn’t have noticed at first, and the longer I stay around an angel and he makes me aware of these dangers, I slowly start to notice it and, as I say, it’s nice to be around him, I learn a lot I taught.

“When I was boxing my coach unfortunately passed away, Mr Derek Ashcroft and he were everything to me.

“So my goal is to continue his legacy as best I can and, of course, build my own.

“But the main motivation is that I want Ash’s name to be in the spotlight where it belongs.”

Watch the full interview with Hasan Al-saigh below:

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Interviews

Natasha Jonas vs. Ivana Habazin

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Jonas dominated Habazin Photo Credit: Chris Dean/ Boxxer

Natasha Jonas became the unified welterweight world champion after defeating Ivana Habazin in Liverpool on Saturday. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Natasha Jonas became the unified welterweight world champion after defeating Ivana Habazin in Liverpool on Saturday. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer

Natasha Jonas unified the welterweight division by defeating Ivana Habazin by clear points on Saturday to add the WBC title to her IBF crown at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool.

Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) was last seen defending her title in January in a hard-fought split decision over Mikaela Mayer, while Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) won the vacant WBC welterweight title in her home country. time out, winning by wide points over Kinga Magyar.

After a technical opening round, Jonas settled into a steady rhythm before landing a powerful right hand in the fourth round that crushed Habazin.

There was a rivalry, but the home favorite was much better in the rallies and seemed to be losing round after round.

This situation lasted until the final bell, when Jonas became the winner by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.

Jonas dominated Habazin. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Jonas dominated Habazin. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Price is closing in on Jonas’ match

Lauren Price definitely stayed on as a collision course with Jonas and easily defended her WBA and IBO welterweight titles after a third-round fight against Bexcy Mateus.

Mateus (7-1, 6 KO) was on board in the first round, after the Welshman landed a powerful left hand, and the Colombian struggled to match Price’s speed.

The same shot caused the 29-year-old to repeat the punch in the second round, and the round later ended when another stinging left hand stunned Meteus and she fell to the canvas, after which the fight was stopped.

Price (8-0, 2 KO) has agreed to face Jonas next, and promoter Ben Shalom revealed it could be announced next week.

Knife edge passes McKenna

Lee Cutler scored an upset victory to claim the silver WBC International welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Stephen McKenna.

McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first round, his knee touching the canvas after being tagged, and Cutler (15-1, 7 KO) took full advantage of his opponent’s weakness in the seventh round when his right hand plunged into his knee. The Irishman who ultimately fell once again.

McKenna was relentless in his attacks and landed a huge number of punches.

The balance of 94-94 was surpassed by the scores of 95-93 and 96-92, which ensured the victory for Cutler.

Jeffers stopped Quartey

Mark Jeffers is on track for large fights in 2025 after defeating Joshua Quartey to defend his silver Commonwealth super middleweight title.

A pair of right hands put Quartey (10-1, 9 KO) on the board, and although he broke the count, a well-placed body shot after the restart by Jeffers (19-0, 6 KO) blew the guy away again.

A crazy attack after the restart forced a stoppage.

Jeffers destroyed Quartey. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Jeffers destroyed Quartey. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Riley secures Chamberlain’s face-off with a stoppage

Viddal Riley finished the heavyweight fight and stopped Dan Garber in the second of the scheduled six rounds.

Riley (12-0, 7 KO) hit Garber (7-4, 2 KO) with his right hand, and then his next attack forced the referee’s intervention.

Riley’s next match will be against Isaac Chamberlain on February 1.

Riley and Chamberlain will fight on February 1. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Riley and Chamberlain will fight on February 1. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Undercard remaining

Mason Cartwright (21-4-1, 8 KO) won all six rounds at super welterweight against Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-25, 7 KO), and Hope lightweight Frankie Stringer (9-0, 1 KO) did the same in the fight against Tatenda Mangombe (3-9-1).

In the flyweight division, Mikie Tallon (6-0) defeated Benn Norman (7-7) with a body shot in the first round of the match, and then settled for a 59-54 victory.

The only fighter to fight four rounds in the super featherweight division was Mason Devine (6-0, 1 KO), who won every session against Jayo Fernando Duran (15-34-1, 14 KO).

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Dillian Whyte explains how Tyson Fury can defeat Oleksandr Usyk

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Usyk put in a sublime performance to beat Fury in May Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Whyte gave Fury's former opponent some advice. Photo: Scott Kirkland/FOX Sports/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Whyte gave Fury’s former opponent some advice. Photo: Scott Kirkland/FOX Sports/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Dillian Whyte has revealed his predictions for the hotly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.

Fury, who knocked out Whyte at Wembley Stadium in 2022, will seek revenge for the only defeat of his career in just 11 days, after losing to Usyk by split decision earlier this year.

Despite losing the night, “The Gypsy King” was a major success and many are struggling to pick a winner in his second battle against the imperious Ukrainian.

Some experts believe Fury needs to be more aggressive and take the lead if he is to win.

I’m talking to Social boxingWhyte revealed he shared that view, asking the Morecambe man to return to the game plan that saw him destroy Deontay Wilder in the return leg.

Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/top position
Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“It’s a great fight, man, I’m still trying to think – how will this fight go?

“Okay, Fury can make changes, but Usyk can make changes too. It’s a tough fight, a very, very tough fight for both fighters.

“If I were Fury’s coach, I would tell him he has to play aggressively.

“Fight him like you fought Wilder the second time.

“Bring back the aggression, bring back the tyrant!

Whyte was brutally stopped by Fury Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions
Whyte was brutally stopped by Fury Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions

“This is heavyweight boxing – you never know.”

It is unclear whether Fury will heed the advice of Whyte and others in the boxing world who have advised him to take the fight to Usyk, but looks noticeably heavier than before the first fight.

Win or lose, the 36-year-old could face a long-awaited home fight against Anthony Joshua, even though “A.J.” interrupted defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.

While it may not have been as great a spectacle as it once was, a clash between Joshua and Fury would still be by far the biggest all-British fight in recent memory.

As for Whyte, he returns to the ring next Sunday night and will face Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh live on DAZN in Gibraltar.

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Gervonta Davis asks why he should fight Shakur Stevenson

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Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1st (Photo Credit: Eshter Lin, PBC)

It looks like the Davis vs. Stevenson fight won't happen anytime soon. (Amanda Wescott, Showtime + Mikey Williams, top position)
It looks like the Davis vs. Stevenson fight won’t happen anytime soon. (Amanda Wescott, Showtime + Mikey Williams, top position)

The All-American fight between lightweight world champions Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing.

Both Davis and Stevenson are undefeated multi-weight champions and are staples on any respected pound-for-pound list.

With this in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming that the pair locking corners in their prime years is a given, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the near future.

“Tank” spoke to the media at the press conference inaugurating his performance March 1 fight with Lamont Roach, and when the prospect of fighting Stevenson arose, he didn’t seem particularly interested.

The Baltimore hitter even went so far as to question what his compatriot did to deserve him.

Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1 (Photo: Eshter Lin, PBC)
Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1 (Photo: Eshter Lin, PBC)

“What for? Who has Shakur [beat]? What did Shakur do?

“What has he achieved in sports? He didn’t do anything! Juvenile people look better than him!”

“Keyshawn [Davis] you look so much better than that nigga! Shout it out nigga, he ain’t done nothing!

“Why the hell are you saying his name?”

Like Davis, Stevenson will also return to action in the first quarter of next year, fighting against up-and-comer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 Riyad season card.

Stevenson returns to action on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mikey Williams Top Rank
Stevenson returns to action on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mikey Williams Top Rank

The Newark southpaw has been sidelined since his July decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan after he had to withdraw from a proposed October fight with Joe Cordina due to injury.

Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has expressed his willingness to have a fight between the two virtuosos, provided both are successful in their upcoming fights.

While he undoubtedly has the talent to rival Davis, Stevenson is not as commercial a star as his rival, and some critics believe he needs to start giving more entertaining performances if he wants to get substantial names.

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