Promising boxer ‘had so much to live for’
Two men charged with murder after death of promising boxer
Mohammed Aman Ashraq, 18, died on Saturday after being stabbed during an altercation in Benjamin Lane, Wexham. Two men have been charged with murder.
A boxing coach who helped train a promising fighter said the community is ‘in shock’ from his death, writes David Lee.
Mohammed Aman Ashraq died on Saturday after being stabbed during an altercation in Benjamin Lane, Wexham, at about 7.55pm.
Hamza Mahmood and Mohammed Hussain, both from Slough, have been charged with murder.
Tributes have poured in for the 18-year-old victim, with one of his former trainers, Zhoib Kayani, describing him as a ‘natural talent’.
Zhoib, co-founder of Wexham-based Kayani Camp, said: “This kid wasn’t someone who thought he was a bad boy, he was a very sweet, humble and shy lad.
“He was very mature, listened really well and was a bit of a natural talent.”
Mohammed, a former student at Wexham Secondary School, joined the gym three years ago and enrolled in weekly classes.
He earned the nickname ‘The Tank’ with Zhoib tipping him for a career in amateur boxing.
“He was never a guy you’d expect this to happen to and that’s why it was a huge shock to the community,” Zhoib added.
“Training this kid for three years and watching him grow into a man, it was so sad to hear the news.
“When you see how young he was it hurts so much because he had so much to live for.”
Zhoib’s brother, professional boxer Amar Kayani, is planning to pay tribute to the teenager at his next bout.
Lawrence Smith, headteacher at Wexham Secondary School, added: “Mohammed was a student at Wexham until July 2019 and was well known and well liked by staff and students of many different year groups.
“He was a friendly, caring and personable young man who had great potential and his whole life ahead of him. He had a great sense of humour and we know he will be very much missed.
“We know his death and the manner of it, may affect our students and we have put support in place for both students and staff at this difficult time.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay towards Mohammed’s funeral and fund a well in a ‘less fortunate’ country.
It reads: “He had nothing but a clean heart. An amazing, son, friend and brother to those around him. He had nothing but good intentions and he would have helped anyone if they needed him.”
More than £3,600 has been raised so far.
Visit bit.ly/303FOlq to view the page.
■ Hamza Mahmood, 18, of Shaggy Calf Lane, and Mohammed Hussain, 18, of Benjamin Lane, have both been charged with one count of murder.
They have been remanded in custody and will appear at Reading Crown Court on Monday.
An 18-year-old man from Slough, arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, has been bailed until February 4.