Bradford’s Harris Akbar is looking to seize his chance on the big stage, as he aims to prove himself as the man who stepped into the overwhelming shadow left by Pat McCormack by winning gold at the Championship Europe in Armenia this week.
Akbar previously represented GB at the World Championships in Serbia last year and he believes he has the potential to go far at the tournament. Akbar will begin his tournament on Thursday when he faces the winner of a first-round clash between Montenegro and the Netherlands.
“This is my second major as a senior and I feel like I’m coming into my own. I’ve always stood behind Pat McCormack before, but now it’s time to show my all. This is a great opportunity to assert my claim as my weight man and show that I am ready to compete Pat. His medal numbers at the top tournaments for GB were unreal and I learned a lot from him but now I have to show what I can do. ”
“This is the stage we all want. In a way, this is our theater and it’s time to put on a top performance. Going to the World Championships was amazing and showed me where I needed to be. I’ve had two tournaments since then and a lot of fights so I feel like I’m in a good place for this one. ”
Akbar has benefited from traveling to Tokyo as part of GB for the Olympic Games. He says the experience has been the catalyst for him to continue his success and establish himself as one of the top boxers in the world.
Akbar was on the team when the world closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has said that it is difficult to stay afloat. However, when the opportunity to fight again began to return, he was back in shape and eager to prove himself as a 71kg man.
That would be a new weight for Akbar, who previously fought in the 69kg class, but after adding more women’s weight classes to Paris 2024, subsequently removed some of the men’s weight classes. He is well aware of the constant pressure on the squad and the battle for places, which will be evident in Armenia as well as his weight division competition Garan Croft of Wales and Stephen Newns of Scotland.
“I saw it all when I got to Tokyo and helped with the preparations and I wanted more. I’m forever grateful for all the experiences I’ve had at GB but being out there makes me even more hungry for success. ”
“It was difficult during Covid, like for everyone, because there was very little momentum and no tournament, so you ate and did everything wrong, but as soon as we got the news from Rob McCracken that something is to come, you’ve got to straight back it and drive it back into your shape. “
“You want to prove you are the man of your weight because there are orders for surgery and other men behind your back. You mess up, they’ll pick up the crumbs and take your place and if you drop that order your chances of competing on the biggest stage may be gone, which you definitely don’t want happen “.
“I’m in the light-medium category now after changing the weights for the Olympics. They took out the 69kg program so for me it was a 67kg or 71kg choice and that’s no doubt. I have time to develop it properly and maintain myself. I can drink water and don’t feel as dry as at 69kg. 71kg was the right decision, as I’ve just dropped to 67kg and I’m ready to make a statement. ”
