Rehman set for opening of Academy

ROCHDALE boxer Bilal Rehman has announced he is opening his own boxing academy to help keep youngsters off the street and out of trouble.

Rehman will be opening his BTK Boxing Academy on November 10, with it located on 11-3 School Lane in Rochdale Town Centre.

The academy will focus on a number of areas, including strength and conditioning, while there will also be one to one classes available for all ages.

Rehman is delighted to be opening the academy, and hopes it can have a positive impact on the town.

“It’s a great opportunity to help get kids off the street. It will benefit the community and we’ll be working with a lot of schools around the local area,” he said.

“When I turned professional I was already thinking about opening a gym. Most boxers open a gym when they retire but I want to open it while I’m still fighting so that a lot of young boxers can learn from me.

“Having people look up to me will help spur me on a lot more because of that added pressure, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“There will be a lot of strength and conditioning, we’ll have amateur coaching, and a dedicated team for female coaching too. There will be four sessions for kids each including classes on the weekend.

“It won’t be sky-high prices either. I’m not doing this for money, but because I’m passionate about boxing and want to help others.”

Along with his boxing academy, Rehman is going from strength to strength in his own boxing career, and he is set to return to the ring for a big fight later this month.

The Rochdale boxer will take on Lee Appleyard at the Doncaster Dome on November 24, with the fight serving as an eliminator for the Commonwealth title.

Rehman is excited for the fight, and hopes that a victory can move him onto bigger and better things next year.

“I’m heavy in camp and I’m really looking forward to the fight. It will be tough but I’m confident that I’ll be able to stop him,” he said.

“I’m going to his backyard for the fight and that really motivates me. Appleyard is someone that is ranked highly and that’s why we’ve taken the fight. He has boxed for the Commonwealth title before and it’s a good test for me.

“It’s my first fight since April so I can’t wait to get back in the ring. I don’t mind fighting two or three times a year if they’re big fights, and this is a big fight for me that can hopefully move me onto bigger things. I’m always fit and healthy so I’m ready to go.”