Drive-in bout a stepping stone to better things for Rotherham fighter Kash Ali

Ali takes on late stand-in Phil Williams in the UK’s first drive-in boxing event nin the car park of the Sheffield Arena.

It will be 28-year-old Ali’s first fight since beating Poland’s Kamil Sokolowski in February and, with a 17-1 pro record, he will be expected to get past Williams.

The Swindon boxer has stepped in after original opponent Danny Whitaker pulled out to take a fight on a recent BT Sport bill in London.

The new British heavyweight champion is Joe Joyce after his shock stoppage of Daniel Dubois last month but with Joyce looking at bigger things, the belt could fall vacant next year and Ali intends being in a position to challenge.

Ali said: “I want to keep busy and get ready for some big fights next year and from where I am at the moment, I want the British title at least.”

Top-of-the-bill at the Arena show, promoted by Dennis Hobson and to be broadcast live on Eurosport, is unbeaten Sheffielder Tommy Frank’s clash with Mexico’s Rosendo Hugo for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental Title.

Hobson said: “I’ve been involved in boxing at all levels, and have staged shows from Rotherham to Las Vegas, but I think we could well be making history with this one.

“Obviously this pandemic has seriously affected everybody’s lives, and it’s been a very difficult time. 

“I’ve been looking at different ways to get my fighters back to work and when the drive-in idea was suggested I thought it was workable. 

“The fighters get back to boxing, fans can come along and watch the show live, and Eurosport will have a smashing card to broadcast.”

Tickets: 0114 243 4443.