Ali dedicates win to former coach Ernie

Zain Ali with coach Andrew Jarrett after win. Picture: Jordan Parker

COMPLETING his first six rounder has given Zain Ali a thirst for marathon distances, and he pledged: “The longer the fight, the more the dog will come out in me.”

The popular middleweight took the step-up on Saturday’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, show, promoted by manager Anthony Manning.

Ali, from Alum Rock, extended his unbeaten run to five (two draws) with points victory over fellow Brummie Lewis Varley.

It wasn’t a faultless performance and Varley didn’t represent the sternest of opposition. The 20-year-old had lost his two previous contests, the most recent by stoppage and been dropped by body shots in each outing.

For him, Saturday was something of a confidence booster. Varley fought doggedly and took two sessions on the 58-56 card of referee Ryan Churchill. He appears to be settling into the paid game. Varley’s success came in the early rounds when he fought aggressively after copping rights to the body.

“He was better than I expected,” father-of-two Zain, a thoroughly likeable individual outside the ropes, admitted. “He looked like he came to win – he wasn’t the type of journeyman who spends the fight with his back against the ropes.”

Zain, too, is hitting his stride after his first two contests ended in stalemate. Against Varley (11st 2lbs) he picked up points behind a fine jab.

“I thought it was a decent performance,” the 26-year-old said, “I didn’t get caught by anything significant, but there is still work to be done. Maybe I could’ve worked the body a bit more, but I think he’d conditioned his body a bit more for this one.

 “It was good to get six rounds and I can push on now. It suited me better than four rounds – you can pace yourself more.”

Zain (11st 6lbs) is certainly a popular figure, with 120 fans roaring him on at the Eastside Rooms: “They always turn up in numbers, I’m always consistent with tickets.”

In a mark of respect, his ring attire on Saturday carried the words “RIP Ernie” – a tribute to Ernie Holt, one of the founders of Nechells Green ABC, the club Zain represented during a 60 bout amateur career. Ernie passed away in March aged 86.

“That’s the way it should be,” he said. “The fight was dedicated to Ernie. He came to all my pro fights except the last one when he was too ill. He was the one who started my career when I began boxing as a baby – I’m the man I am today because of him.”

Zain’s journey still has a way to go – manager Manning admitted he’s taking a “Steady Eddie” approach. He is, however, moving in the right direction and improving.

“Anthony has helped me a lot,” Zain said. “Since I moved over there (Manning’s gym), he’s made me feel at home.”

The man who works as a courier by day can now dream of a Midlands title fight.

“Another six rounder and we’ll see where we are,” he added. “It’s hard having a full time job and young family, but when you’re chasing a dream you have to clear the obstacles. At the end of the year I want to see what’s happening, I’d be more than happy to fight for a title.

“I want to bring a title back to Alum Rock and give something back to the people who spend hard-earned money to watch me. Once you win the Midlands (title) the door is open to anything.

“Put in the hard work and effort and you reap the rewards.”