Kash Farooq
{{Short description|Scottish boxer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Kash Farooq
| image =
| image_size =
| image_border =
| alt =
| caption =
| real_name = Ukashir Farooq
| nickname = Untouchable
| weight = Bantamweight
| reach =
| nationality = {{plainlist|
- Pakistani
- Scottish
}}
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1996|1|3}}
| birth_place = Gujranwala, Pakistan
| death_date =
| death_place =
| style = Orthodox
| boxrec = 735862
| total = 17
| wins = 16
| KO = 6
| losses = 1
| website =
}}
Ukashir Farooq (born 3 January 1996{{Cite web |title=Ukashir Farooq Bio Information - PBC Boxing |url=https://www.foxsports.com/boxing/ukashir-farooq-player-bio |access-date=8 July 2022 |website=FOX Sports |language=}}) is a Scottish former professional boxer who competed from 2015 to 2021. He held the British bantamweight title from 2018 to 2019 and challenged once for the Commonwealth bantamweight title in 2019.
Early life
Ukashir Farooq, known by friends and family as "Kash", was born on 3 January 1996 in Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. One of three brothers, he and his family immigrated to England and applied for asylum in 2002, initially living in London before being relocated to Glasgow, Scotland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianimage.co.uk/sport/16903639.boxer-ukashir-farooq-aiming-to-make-history/|title=Boxer Ukashir Farooq aiming to make history|website=Asian Image|language=en|access-date=2019-10-29}} He first entered a boxing gym in 2010 after being invited by a friend. In an interview with The Herald, Farooq recalled: "I wasn’t interested in boxing at the start" and "...the trainer saw me hitting a few bags and asked me to come back. I came back and did some sparring and it just continued from there. Now I love boxing."{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17262805.ukashir-farooq-looks-to-kash-in-after-defending-his-british-bantamweight-title-against-iain-butcher/|title=Ukashir Farooq looks to Kash in after defending his British bantamweight title against Iain Butcher|website=HeraldScotland|language=en|access-date=2019-10-29}}
Professional career
Farooq made his professional debut on 25 October 2015, winning a four round points decision over Craig Derbyshire at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/722724/2018370|title=BoxRec: Bout|website=boxrec.com|access-date=2019-10-29}}
After winning his first seven fights, he challenged Scott Allan for the Scottish Area bantamweight title on 23 November 2017 at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Farooq won via eighth-round technical knockout (TKO).{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/758523/2196869|title=BoxRec: Bout|website=boxrec.com|access-date=2019-10-29}}
On 27 September 2018, he faced Jamie Wilson at the St. Andrew’s Sporting Club in Glasgow.{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/772623/2264816|title=BoxRec: Bout|website=boxrec.com|access-date=2019-10-29}} Farooq scored a TKO victory 73 seconds into the first round to capture the vacant British bantamweight title, becoming the first Scottish boxer in 21 years to do so.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/45674420|title=Kash Farooq stops Jamie Wilson after 73 seconds to win British bantamweight title|date=2018-09-27|access-date=2019-10-29|language=en-GB}}
The first defence of his British title came on 30 November 2018, against Iain Butcher at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow.{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/776883/2288343|title=BoxRec: Bout|website=boxrec.com|access-date=2019-10-29}} Farooq retained his title with a unanimous decision over twelve rounds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/46408485|title=British bantamweight title: Farooq beats Butcher to retain belt|date=2018-12-01|access-date=2019-10-29|language=en-GB}}
He defended his title for the second time on 25 April 2019, against undefeated Kyle Williams at the Radisson Blu Hotel, winning via fifth-round TKO.{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/783557/2327233|title=BoxRec: Bout|website=boxrec.com|access-date=2019-10-29}}
On 17 August 2019, Farooq beat Duane Winters by first-round knockout (KO) at the Radisson Blu Hotel to retained his British bantamweight title.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/49384788|title=Kash Farooq defends British bantamweight title by beating Duane Winters|date=2019-08-17|access-date=2019-10-29|language=en-GB}}
On 16 November 2019, he challenged Commonwealth bantamweight champion Lee McGregor at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow. Farooq lost a highly disputed and controversial split decision in which many felt Farooq should have been the clear victor.{{Cite news|url= https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/boxing/sheffield-trained-lee-mcgregor-claims-british-title-controversial-win-over-kash-farooq-1142800 |title=Lee McGregor controversially beats Kash Farooq to win British title & retain Commonwealth title|date=2019-06-22|access-date=2019-11-08|language=en-GB}}
In January 2022, in a statement released via St. Andrew's Sporting Club, Farooq announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 26. Citing "unforeseen circumstances", the statement thanked the British Boxing Board of Control, saying it's procedures kept the "health and safety of the boxers paramount at all times". It was also revealed that Farooq will be taking the role of "Head of Talent" for the St. Andrew's Sporting Club.{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Ron|date=6 January 2022|title=Kash Farooq, 26-Years-Old, Retires From Boxing|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/kash-farooq-26-years-old-retires-from-boxing--163280|access-date=7 January 2022|website=Boxing Scene|language=}}
Professional boxing record
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|ko-wins=6
|dec-wins=10
|dec-losses=1
}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |
|---|
| 17
|{{yes2}}Win |16–1 |align=left|Luis Gerardo Castillo |UD |10 |14 Aug 2021 |align=left|{{small|Matchroom Headquarters, Brentwood, England}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBC International bantamweight title}} |
| 16
|{{yes2}}Win |15–1 |align=left|Alexander Espinoza |UD |10 |10 Apr 2021 |align=left|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} |align=left|{{small|Won WBC International Silver bantamweight title}} |
| 15
|{{yes2}}Win |14–1 |align=left|Ángel Aviles |UD |10 |14 Nov 2020 |align=left|{{small|The SSE Arena, London, England}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBA Continental (Europe) bantamweight title}} |
| 14
|{{no2}}Loss |13–1 |align=left|Lee McGregor |SD |12 |16 Nov 2019 |align=left|{{small|Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland}} |align=left|{{small|Lost British bantamweight title; |
| 13
|{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |align=left|Duane Winters |{{abbr|KO|Knockout}} |1 (12), {{Small|2:58}} |17 Aug 2019 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} |align=left|{{small|Retained British bantamweight title}} |
| 12
|{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |align=left|Kyle Williams |TKO |5 (12), {{small|2:05}} |25 Apr 2019 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} |align=left|{{small|Retained British bantamweight title}} |
| 11
|{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align=left|Iain Butcher |{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |12 |30 Nov 2018 |align=left|{{small|Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland}} |align=left|{{small|Retained British bantamweight title}} |
| 10
|{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |align=left|Jamie Wilson |TKO |1 (12), {{small|1:12}} |27 Sep 2018 |align=left|{{small|St. Andrew’s Sporting Club, Glasgow, Scotland}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant British bantamweight title}} |
| 9
|{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|Jose Hernandez |TKO |2 (6) |16 Jun 2018 |align=left|{{small|Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Scotland}} | |
| 8
|{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|Scott Allan |TKO |8 (10), {{small|2:31}} |23 Nov 2017 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} |align=left|{{small|Won Scottish Area bantamweight title}} |
| 7
|{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|Georgi Andonov |{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |1 (6) |21 Sep 2017 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} | |
| 6
|{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|Michael Barnor |PTS |6 |3 Jun 2017 |align=left|{{small|Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Scotland}} | |
| 5
|{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|Dimitrijs Gutmans |PTS |6 |20 Apr 2017 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} | |
| 4
|{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|Scott Allan |PTS |10 |19 Jan 2017 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} | |
| 3
|{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|Brett Fidoe |PTS |6 |26 May 2016 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} | |
| 2
|{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|Anwar Alfadli |PTS |4 |21 Jan 2016 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} | |
| 1
|{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|Craig Derbyshire |{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}} |4 |25 Oct 2015 |align=left|{{small|Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland}} | |