Ali heartbroken after first defeat of career

Zain Ali…all smiles at Eastside Rooms before Saturday’s setback

ZAIN Ali is still coming to terms with the “heartbreak” of suffering his first professional loss – and still searching for reasons.

On Saturday, on manager Anthony Manning’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, show, the ticket-seller was beaten for the first time in six outings.

He was outpointed over four rounds by Swindon’s Jensen Irving, a rugged middleweight, but a man who had not had his hand raised in victory in the 31 bouts before facing Alum Rock’s Zain. In all, he’s won only five of 36 (two draws).

Make no mistake, the 39-37 decision is a major, small hall shock and 26-year-old Zain’s performance a puzzle. He started brightly, won the first then faded.

“It’s just heartbreaking, to be fair,” Zain told me. “I wanted that Midlands title shot by the end of the year, but it’s all gone bottoms up.”

Manning, who appeared to be making good progress with Ali, will also be searching for answers. After something of a faltering start to his paid career – Zain drew his first two fights, Manning had improved conditioning, smoothed rough edges and charting a budding future for the boxer. Now, this bombshell. He’d built a head of steam under the boxer.

On paper, the contest appeared very winnable. And Zain, laughing and joking, appeared brim-full of confidence – laughing and joking in the dressing room – before first bell.

Weight-making may have played a part. By his own admission, Zain shed between eight and 11 pounds in the days before the contest and on the night scaled 11st 7lbs. I’ve seen the man in action on a number of occasions and feel he could make welterweight, a division below.

Outside issues – Zain is awaiting the birth of his third child, must’ve been a distraction. He’s also recently taken ownership of a fast food eatery, a job that requires long hours.

In fairness, he’s refused to trot out a list of reasons for the setback.

“I don’t make excuses, I’m old school,” he said. “My body just completely shut down, my body was not allowing me to do what I wanted to do. My body shut down, my body collapsed. It couldn’t do what my mind was telling it to do.

“He (Jensen) was not your typical journeyman, but I’m capable of beating him. I hung in there, but there was nothing behind my punches.”

There’s no doubt Saturday’s loss hurt the product of Nechells amateur club.

“I haven’t talked to anyone for the last two or three days, I’ve been all over the place,” he added, “but maybe it’s all part of the plan.

“I’ll be back, I’m just sorry for the people who paid to see it.

“One hundred per cent I’ll be back – one defeat doesn’t define your career.”