YOUNG boxing star Dylan Cheema on Friday (13) signed an exclusive long-term agreement with British professional boxing promotional company BOXXER, according to a statement.
Cheema, 25, stormed his way to victory in last month’s BOXXER Series tournament in his home city of Coventry.
According to the statement, the tournament run earned Cheema a new army of British boxing fans as he progressed from major underdog to grand final winner over the course of the event.
The tournament also saw him win three fights in one night live on Sky Sports. It was Cheema’s first-ever time competing in Coventry. Cheema had transitioned to professional boxing following a highly accomplished run as a professional kickboxer.
Cheema said, “This is just the beginning. I’m ready for the big fights - BOXXER and Sky Sports are the ones to make those big fights happen. I’m delighted to sign with BOXXER. I’ve got a good manager and a good team, and they’re going to guide me along this next stage of my journey."
His professional record now includes a win over the highly-regarded Rylan Charlton, runner-up in the tournament.
Following the long-term agreement, Cheema looks set to secure big opportunities as he joins the BOXXER ranks, the statement further said.
He was a world champion in kickboxing and holds a university degree, and now plans to climb the professional boxing ranks.
“The Boxxer Series is all about giving UK boxers the chance to showcase themselves and secure big future opportunities. Dylan Cheema did exactly that in Coventry - he put on an incredible performance, going from underdog to tournament champion, and we’re very excited about his future potential," said Ben Shalom, founder and CEO, BOXXER.
Punjabi-origin Cheema’s new army of fans feature a huge number of his fellow Sikhs.
Cheema’s pride in his heritage is reflected in the strength of support he draws from the wider community across the UK, the statement said.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)