Rotherham boxer Atif Shafiq offers support to Kash Ali after biting incident

The Rotherham-based heavyweight is awaiting punishmentfor sinking his teeth into rival David Price in their televised clash in Liverpool last weekend.

Ali was disqualified, forfeited his fight fee and had his professional license suspended indefinitely by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The 27-year-old faces the prospect of a fine and a ban but lightweight contender Shafiq, fresh from a comfortable comeback victory over Nicaraguan Eligio Palacios at the Magna Centre, believes he should be allowed to box again.

“Kash is a good friend of mine,” said Atif. “Obviously he was getting abuse from the crowd and he just let everything get to him. That was his retaliation in the ring and obviously you can't do that.

Supportive: Atif Shafiq.

“I've known him for years and anyone who knows him knows that's not Kash. He’s not that kind of character. He's not been in trouble with the police. He's not one of those rough people, he's like a gentle giant.

“In the ring, out of the ring, he's not a bad person. It is a mistake made under pressure on a big stage"

Birmingham-born Ali has in the last few days offered an official apology for his actions.

"I expressed my regret from the moment it happened and even more so now," he said.

"I have every intention of curbing my thoughtless actions and will adjust my behaviour accordingly."