Dewsbury's Malaika aiming to be first British Pakistani female heavyweight champion

An impressive start to the her career has seen the boxer from the Warrior Breed Club in Earlsheaton progress nationally and she is hoping to move onto the international stage in the next year.

Malaika’s journey started in boxing as a means to stay focussed and to channel her energy into something positive. Being a somewhat troublesome child, her family decided she needed to channel her energy in the right way and boxing is something the teenager chose.

It has been anything but easy for Malaika as she has been troubled with health issues, which has meant she was sidelined from boxing for a spell. And she has also faced issues with opponents – namely finding them.

Heavyweight female boxers are rare that throughout the whole of the UK that there are not many opponents for her to compete with. However, Malaika is staying patient and focussed on her end goal.

She said: “I want to be a professional boxer and win titles.

"I am confident I will achieve my goals and ambitions and have great family support and support from head coach Zahir Akbar (uncle Zee) who is more than just a coach.

"He has been instrumental in my career so far and is like a father figure I never had.

"With a strong team behind me, I don't see why I can’t achieve my ambitions.”

Coach Zahir knows all about developing boxers as he he is the trainer of former amateur champion and now unbeaten professional Amaar “The Prodigy” Akbar and Faheem “The Machine” Mustakeem, who is also unbeaten in the pro ranks. He has a number of amateur boxers under his guidance as well.

Malaika, meanwhile, talks about breaking barriers and is heavily focussed on female empowerment, in a male dominated sport and society.

"I am fighting against much prejudice and dismissive attitudes, however I am an example of what hard work and determination can achieve,” she added.

"I want to be a positive role model for many. Both male and female and my hard work will shine through.”

Malaika trains five or six days a week, most days twice and is also is a full-time student at Huddersfield University, doing an accountancy degree.

Boxing is her first love and she is currently focussed on a national amateur tournament coming up then hopefully a trip to Sweden in the new year to challenge female boxers from around the world.

As a positive role model for many, Malaika talks about how it is important for local councillors, MPs and the local community to support and back her journey and is open about how business sponsors will be key in supporting her journey to the top.

The prospect of being the first-ever British Pakistani female heavyweight boxing champion sounds good and to contact Malaika for sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected]