Champ Farooq forced to hang up his gloves

Former British bantamweight champion Kash Farooq has been forced to retire from boxing at the age of 26.

The Glasgow fighter has hung up his gloves because of “unforeseen circumstances”.

The news was announced by the St Andrews Sporting Club, where Farooq will now work as head of talent.

A statement read: “It will come as a shock but, due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to announce that Kash Farooq is retiring from professional boxing.

“We are truly honoured to have been given the privilege to guide the bantamweight through his career, from professional debut in October 2015 to his final fight last August.

“We are excited to begin this new chapter together.”

Farooq won 16 of his 17 fights, with his only defeat coming against Scottish rival Lee Mcgregor on a split decision following a British and Commonwealth title fight.

The Pakistan-born fighter had previously won four British title fights and bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on the decision against Mcgregor, who is now European champion.

Farooq won a WBA continental title, a WBC international silver and a WBC international belt in his final three fights, the last of which came against Luis Castillo in August last year.

● Three Tayside professional boxers are preparing for upcoming bouts.

Arbroath welterweight Corrie Mcculloch will contest the Scottish title against champion Stewart Burt at the Trump Turnberry hotel in Ayrshire in February.

Corrie sports a four wins, one draw, one loss record, with Stewart coming into the ring on the back of a 13 victories, one defeat, two draws record. Both are managed by Perth’s Sam Kynoch.

Sam also has Dundee super-lightweight Ryan Gall and Arbroath superlightweight Haydn Hill active on his show at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza hotel on the 27th of this month.