Junior ‘Razor’ Farzan Ali a shadow of former self

It is no secret that Junior Farzan Ali, who once was the most feared boxer in his weight class, is now a shadow of his former self.

The man, who has been a joy to the fans and a nation’s pride for almost two decades (1999-2017), the sport is now behind him.

The traits that characterised his reign are not there.

This was evidently clear during the Canada South Pacific Boxing Promotions fight against Sebastian ‘Sniper’ Singh, who knocked Farzan out in the first round of the scheduled 10- round fight.

Singh made Farzan look bad with his prowess that grounded the veteran before an audience and the general feeling at Prince Charles Park was, his performance was nothing but a lackluster affair.

Lackluster? for the reason the 37-year-old was up against a 23-year- old super fit youngster.

Some know- how’s of boxing said Farzan was in it for money more than anything else.

If it’s the case, then he really staged some circus show.

That is, the whispers have it, and when the rivers are divided between those that love the guy versus them haters, the opinions are just as divided.

Whatever it is, Farzan needs to retire from boxing.

That’s all there is to it. Period, explanation point, end of story, whatever.

He had been inactive in his last fight against the New Zealand based Tongan, Sitaleki Maka in 2016, where his cornerman threw in the towel at the start of the third round.

It was not only Farzan’s first loss at home, the onetime showman and a fierce competitor showed signs of the beginning of an end to the ageing boxer.

His excuse at the time was that he had aggravated an old injury that precluded him from giving his all. What excuse if any he had this time around?

All is not bad though, Farzan, has elevated the sport, thrilled the fans and earned himself a name and a livelihood.

He has also contributed to the sport immensely and deserves the plaudits for raising the boxing bar in the country.

For anybody who once loved watching Farzan fight — and that should be everybody reading this article of a certain age — the knockout footage was quite disheartening.

This was his retirement fight, ideally, one that should have happened 10 years ago.

Since his last KO to Maka, Farzan did lower the competition enough for such a call or continue and get battered at the hands of boxer’s half his age.

While the loss just goes to show that his skills have deteriorated and he is past his prime, the nation has welcomed boxing’s next big thing, as Sebastian ‘Sniper’ Singh.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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