Sikh starlet Sanjeev Singh Sahota has the welcome responsibility of delivering a whole new audience to the sport of boxing, writes Glynn Evans.

The 25 year old light-welter from Emerson Park, Essex - – unbeaten in three – is one of the first fighters from Punjabi origin to make an impact within the paid brigade and his community seem keen to share his journey to title contention, every step of the way.

 ‘On Saturday, I predict there’ll be more Sikhs at a British boxing venue than there’s ever been before!’ says ‘the multi-lingual Triple S’ who faces grizzled Newark circuit fighter Fonz Alexander over four rounds on the BoxNation televised event from Harrow Leisure Centre.

‘I’ve sold over 230 tickets and a good 80% of those are to British Asians. There are no other Sikh boxers so they focus on me. They’re coming from Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Spain .....everywhere.’

 ‘I’m getting a lot of attention within my community and it’s growing with every win. There’s a lot of press releases in the Indian papers, I’ve been on the Sikh tv channel, several radio stations and even feature in the Spanish press. There’s huge pressure but I’m going to deliver on it.’

 Trained by Dom Negus and Lennie Butcher at the Five Star facility in Romford, the smokin’ Injun is fluent in English, Punjabi and Spanish, having passed his teenage years in Murcia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.

‘I’m starting to get fan mail and social media messages from all over Britain, Spain and India; requests for advice on diets, techniques, training tips. It’s great to be a role model so early in my career. I’ll do anything I can to encourage kids off the streets and into sport.’

After bashing up a Latvian and a Croatian on home soil, smouldering Sanjeev significantly expanded his fan base last time out, whilst starring on the undercard of Olympic medallist Vijender Singh’s triumphant Indian homecoming in mid July.

Confronted by previously unbeaten home hero Vikas Kumar, ‘SSS’ registered an impressive four round shut out at the Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi.

‘India was just amazing. The stadium had about a 9,000 capacity and was a complete sell-out and the noise the fans made was like a Vegas fight,’ recalls the Spartan front foot pressure fighter.

‘It was a nine hour flight, different food, different air. The Stadium was indoors but it was very warm and humid, the hottest time of the year over there.

‘We went out five days before the fight and I was very focussed. It was a big opportunity and a big stage for me. I treat every fight as a world title fight.

‘I didn’t get the best reception as I walked to the ring because my opponent was an unbeaten state champion. The kid was strong but I won the fight and won over the public. Afterwards I had great feedback and everyone wanted photos. I felt like a world champ. It really helped that I could speak the lingo!

‘About 20 fans and friends came over from the UK and other family joined us who are already over there. Afterwards I got to enjoy time with them and appreciate some real Indian grub!

‘It was a historic event not just in Indian boxing but in Indian sport and I was honoured to be a part of it. Vijender is building a great fan base. I never look beyond my next fight but, of course, it would be fantastic to return some day.’

The Harrow gig represents the ultra dedicated Singh’s fourth public airing since joining the profession in late April. However, he concedes that, due to a nominal amateur career over in Spain, the real development takes place behind closed doors at the gymnasium.

He says: ‘Right now, I have hardly any life away from boxing.  But I won’t ever allow myself to lose a fight because I didn’t diet or train right. I only ever want to concede if the opponent was the better man.

‘I constantly work on everything; fitness, speed, power, head movement. I’ve developed so much over the past six months yet there’s still so much more to learn.’

Having previously mucked in at the family’s restaurants, young Sanj enjoys copious sponsorship -  St Matthews Health Care, Benning Construction, Pro Nutrition, Hindustani Foods and East End Foods all chip in – which accords him the luxury of focussing full time on his ring apprenticeship.

‘For Saturday, I’ve had an eight week camp - four in Spain, four in Essex – and it’s like I’m training for a 10 round fight!’ he disclosed.

‘The Spanish sparring – including (ex IBF super-bantam champ) ‘Kiko’ Martinez - is always very tough, the British spars are more technical. I benefit from the best of both. I’ve also worked with some of the lads at Al Smith’s iBox gym in Bromley.’

Everything is primed then for another Five Star performance in his first outing against domestic opposition.

‘I’ve not seen anything of Fonz, I leave all that to my team. They tell me what to do and not do,’ he concludes.

‘I’ve heard he’s is a very tough boy so I’ll not say I’m going to stop him. I’ll just be looking to get the win and for us both to emerge healthy. Another step up the ladder.’

RISING BUCKS PROSPECT BEN SMITH: “I’VE NEVER FELT BETTER.”

Swift, slick and stylish, the intelligent (8 GCSEs) two time national junior champion and Young England skipper hunts for a fourth pro win when he swaps leather with Plymouth’s flighty Chris Adaway over four rounds.

Last Tuesday, Glynn Evans caught up with the 20 year old ticket seller to evaluate his progress thus far. 

You’re causing quite a commotion up in Buckinghamshire!

Just a bit. Though West Ham is my Premier team, I’ve lately attached myself to Wycombe Wanderers and started knocking around with several of the players. My sponsors pay for a huge billboard at Adams Park and I’ve been invited on to the pitch before fights. Some players are starting to attend my fights and hopefully, I can build on the Wanderers passionate support as my career progresses.

Thus far, you’ve logged three four round shut outs since debuting as a teenager a year ago. How do you assess your progress?

I’ve delivered controlled performances against three very established British journeymen and I’ve taken something different from each one. On my debut, Kristian Laight surprised me with his cleverness; moving backwards, frustrating me. Dan Carr gave me a ridiculously tough scrap while the Fonz Alexander fight was on a huge bill at the Copper Box.

In what ways have you developed away from the public eye, under the guise of coach Mark Tibbs at the West Ham gym?

I’ve done some really good rounds with the likes of Ahmet Patterson, Billy Morgan, Romeo Romaeo, Sam McNess, Archie Sharp and Billy Ellington. Now I’m sparring eight rounders against rotating opponents without fading.

I don’t have an ‘off season’. I’m constantly in the gym and eat clean all the time. My life is train, eat, sleep, repeat.

My sponsors Core Athletic pay for me to train full-time and pay for a nutritionist which allows me to do the weight far easier whilst staying very strong.  Over the year, I’ve slowly filled out physically – but there’s plenty more development to come.

I also watch a lot of fights on DVD. Dad used to sponsor Kevin Mitchell and I’ve become huge into (WBA lightweight champion) Jorge Linares since their fight. I study him a lot. We’ve similar styles - at different levels obviously – and I love his flashy combinations. Against Kev, he was losing the fight but never lost his game plan.

It’s been a sombre week for the sport after Dundee’s Mike Towell lost his life in battle last Friday. How does such harrowing news affect the mindset of a bright young prospect such as yourself, who’s embarking on a career in this hardest, most dangerous of sports?

It was very sad – condolences of course to Mike’s family - but it really doesn’t affect my way of thinking. People regularly die in other sports such as skiing yet it’s only boxing that gets a bad name. There’s always a fear factor. Your opponent is coming to hurt you but we have scans every year and the Board and referees look after us. It’s not affected me unduly.

After five and a half months on the sidelines, you return to duty at Harrow on Saturday. What are your hopes for the forthcoming season?

If I come through in style, I’d like to move up to six round fights and, by the end of 2017, I’d like to be fighting eight rounders and be on the cusp of some form of title. But Mark (Tibbs) and Frank (Warren, his promoter) know what they’re doing. Billy Joe Saunders turned pro with them at a similar age so they’ve done this before. It’s up to me to keep winning and improving and they’ll get me up there.

Harrow Leisure Centre – just 25 miles from High Wycombe – is a happy hunting ground as you triumphed there in some style on your debut 12 months ago. Good to be back?

Yeh, good memories. Last time, I was really nervous because I’d sold 270 tickets and there was a huge roar as I walked out. The Harrow venue is very compact and the atmosphere really echoed, even more than at the York Hall.

It’s always nice to be familiar with the surroundings.  This time, I’ve done about 130 tickets but there’s hardly any left. I think it’s almost sold out.

What would represent a successful night for Ben Smith on Saturday?

Hopefully, I’ll get to feature live on BoxNation and attract a few more fans.

Adaway has a losing record but can make things awkward so I don’t want to make silly predictions. I’m punching much harder in the gym and just want to impress, entertain and look good. Honestly, I’ve never felt better.

Manny Zaber fights for a first professional title on Black Country Boxing’s November show at Walsall Town Hall.

The Old Hill super featherweight tops ‘Going For Gold, sponsored by Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on Saturday, 19th November.

The 21 year-old has recorded eight victories since turning pro last year and insists he ready to make the step up.

“I’m ready for a title shot,” he said. “I’ve had eight fights against a range of opponents. I’ve done four and six rounds so the next step is an eight rounder.

“I can’t wait to get in there and pick up a British Challenge Title.”

Walsall’s former British Champion, Martin Gethin, is also in action. The 32 year-old will be looking to bonce back from his recent defeat to Adam Little in Blackpool. Gethin, who has stepped up to super lightweight, was defeated in a Commonwealth Title Eliminator and will be looking to get back to winning ways on homesoil.

Swadlincote’s undefeated super middleweight, Zach Parker, also features. Like Zaber, Parker turned professional last year and has racked up seven wins to date.

Newark’s Chad Sugden is also back in action. The undefeated super middleweight (4-0) impressed at the Town Hall last month as he stopped the usually durable Kieron Gray. ‘2 Slick’ will be looking to build on that victory as he moves up the rankings.

Wolverhampton cruiserweight, Josh Burke, and West Bromwich welterweight, Tommy Loach, complete the card. The dup recorded points victories at the Town Hall last time around and will be looking for repeat results next month.

Tickets are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.

The weigh-in and aftershow (over 18’s only) take place at Grosvenor Casino Walsall, Bentley Mill Way, Walsall WS2 0LE (just off junction 10 of the M6). GC Walsall will have a presence at the Town Hall on the evening and have linked up with local taxi firm, Yellow Taxi’s, to supply a number of free taxi’s to take guests from the Town Hall to the casino post-fight.