Ubayd Haider has labeled his forthcoming fight for the vacant IBO Oceania-Orient featherweight title against Runqi Zhou of China as the most significant challenge of his boxing career.
“My preparation for the fight began this week after a lengthy break, and I intend to ensure that every necessary step is taken,” Haider declared. He noted the difficulty of finding sparring partners in Fiji as a notable challenge in his training regime.
Haider emphasized the need for focused solo training, stating, “He (Zhou) is very tough, and I will have to match him in the ring. Zhou has a high work rate; while he may not possess extraordinary power, he is a skilled boxer.”
The clash is set to take place at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, on October 26, where Haider is prepared for a tough battle against his Asian counterpart. “I’ve been training alone due to my work commitments and the timing of the match,” he explained. He practices at the Uptown boxing gym in Suva.
Haider is calling on fans to attend the fight, which he promises will be exhilarating. “It will be a bloodbath, with both of us likely to have broken noses and cuts. We will go to war in this match,” he predicted. He acknowledged Zhou’s impressive training background, stating, “My opponent has a strong team, training alongside world champions like the Maloney twins, Alex Winwood, and Bruno Tarimo. Competing against him will not be easy.”
Confident that his critics will show up to watch, Haider stated, “I’m going to prepare myself well, and we’ll have a good fight. Like any fighter, my goal is victory.” He also pointed out that his footwork and height could provide him an advantage against Zhou.
Haider expressed gratitude towards South Pacific Boxing promotions and Amarok Accessories for their support in his preparation.