'Golden Boy' believes he can shine again

The Sheffield Star Bob Westerdale9th June, 2009

SHEFFIELD lightweight contender Nadeem Siddique may find out whether he still merits the nickname 'Golden Boy' when he returns to action after almost a year out of the ring, in Wigan on Saturday.

Siddique had 22 straight wins on his record until he was KO'd by Walsall's Martin Gethin in the third round at the Robin Park Centre last July.

Reigning Central Area champion Siddique has now been matched with old foe and current Southern Area champ Tom Glover as he seeks to put the misfortune behind him.

He is on the undercard of the ITV4 show headlined by the John Murray - Scott Lawton British title fight.

The 31-year-old Ingle boxer says: "The defeat was hard to take. I only took the fight on a day's notice and in hindsight I shouldn't have taken it but I'm not one to go around feeling sorry for myself.

"I had a niggling back injury at the time which kept me out for a while afterwards as well, and needed a bit of rest, but I've been back in the gym for almost seven months now and I've been working, really, really hard."

Siddique believes the defeat to Gethin wasn't a true representation: "I'm better than that and I can't wait to prove it. I'm a lot more dedicated now.

"I've always believed in myself and I know that I'm one of the best around. I've sparred with champions like Junior Witter, Jamie Moore and Kell Brook so I know I'm capable of performing at the highest level and I don't see anyone out there to worry me."

Referring to the influence of gym-mate and former world champ Junior Witter, Siddique said, "We've been friends since we were kids.

"We went to the same schools, the same gyms as amateurs and professionals and we even shared a house for a while.

"Junior is one of the straightest people you could meet and he'll always be honest with you, so if he told me I'd found my level then I'd believe him, but he believes that I can go all the way. It's just about getting myself right mentally.."

Siddique holds a points win over Glover from 2007.

"I'm not bothered about the opponent, all I'm concerned about is making sure that I'm right physically and mentally and getting myself back on track for a title fight. I let my opponents worry about me.

"I know all about Glover. He's a decent fighter but as long as I'm right then it doesn't matter who's in the opposite corner."

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