Bilal Fawaz claims British and Commonwealth titles while continuing fight for citizenship
Bilal Fawaz claimed the British and Commonwealth super-welterweight titles at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday evening, defeating champion Ishmael Davis in a triumph that has prompted calls for the 37-year-old to finally receive British citizenship, reports BritPanorama.
The victory represents a remarkable achievement for a man who arrived in Britain as a trafficking victim. Fawaz’s journey to British champion began in the most harrowing circumstances. At just 14, he was illegally brought to London from Nigeria by his own father, placed with a man he believed to be his uncle. The conditions amounted to modern slavery; he was confined indoors, denied schooling, and compelled to perform domestic labour whilst being physically abused.
After escaping, the teenager found himself living rough on London’s streets, where he faced difficulties that included minor criminal convictions for cannabis possession and graffiti which later complicated his immigration case. His situation was rendered even more precarious when Nigerian authorities refused to acknowledge him as a citizen, as his parents never registered his birth, leaving him effectively stateless.
Despite the turmoil of his personal circumstances, Fawaz flourished in the amateur ranks. He secured victory in 80 of his 90 contests, earning the honour of captaining the national team and representing England on six occasions. Yet his Olympic aspirations were cruelly dashed when lucrative professional contracts worth six figures were withdrawn due to his lack of legal permission to work or travel.
During this period, he worked at the All Stars gym in Kilburn, cleaning lavatories and coaching boxing in exchange for money, food, and shelter. A breakthrough finally arrived in June 2020 when an immigration lawyer confirmed he had secured the right to live and work in Britain, leading Fawaz to turn professional in 2022.
His triumph in the ring came whilst juggling an extraordinary workload. The father of two maintains four separate occupations: Uber driver, personal trainer, fitness instructor, and professional boxer. Fawaz bears scars from a troubled youth, including a gunshot wound to his leg and numerous knife scars from being stabbed 25 times.
Following the bout, promoter Eddie Hearn made an impassioned plea for Fawaz to be granted a British passport, stating: “For over 20 years he’s lived in this country, representing England in the amateur system, working hard, paying his taxes and never been able to get a British passport, bizarrely.” Hearn continued, “Tonight, he’s just won the British title. So please, let’s just make sure we get this man a British passport for the service he’s given to this country as well. It’s an incredible, incredible story.”
Speaking before his title challenge, Fawaz reflected on those dark days: “When I was 17, I had so much fire and I did not know what to do with it. I needed guidance; I did not have a mum or dad, so I got in trouble.” The All Stars gym proved to be his salvation. Yet despite now holding the British title, his fight for a passport continues, underscoring the complexities of identity and legacy in modern sport.
