Rotherham fighter eyes big honours after successful 2026

Rotherham super-middleweight Taz Nadeem is poised for an assault on honours next year after rounding off a successful 2026 campaign.

On Saturday, he outpointed Bulgarian Angel Petkov Emilov to take his record to 11 wins and one defeat.

With six of his previous victories coming by way of knockout – five of them in the first round – Nadeem hasn't actually boxed that many professional rounds.

So his battle with Emilov at Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, on a Black Flash Promotion, was an opportunity to get some rounds in.

Taz who lives in Carr, a hamlet in the parish of Laughton-en-le-Morthen, started with promise, working behind a stiff jab.

Some of his body shots looked heavy - but it was noticeable how the tough Bulgarian didn't even flinch.

Taz, 26, was mobile and unflustered in his fifth scheduled six rounder, happy to box off the back foot when necessary.

He was measured and controlled, rather than displaying the super-aggressive style he has exhibited in previous outings.

Angel hadn't boxed since April last year and was clearly a durable opponent, having lost on 58 previous occasions and not won since 2023. However, he rarely looked in trouble and proved a stubborn customer.

Round five presented an unwanted problem for Nadeem, a cut had appeared around his left eye.

But he was patched up, landed a big left hook and two punishing right hands in the sixth and final session before returning over the Pennines with a 60-55 points win.