“I’d love to represent my birthplace in overseas bouts, and then the Asian Games, World Championships and even the Olympics if I get the chance.”
Taqdeer picked up boxing sevens years ago, and it was “love at first sight” for him.
“It is very addictive – the more you do it, the more you fell in love with it,” Taqdeer, who fights at 63.5 kilograms, said. “You have to be all in. You cannot give 99 per cent. You have to be over 100 per cent in this sport.
“We need to be on our toes at all times. The entire match is like a chess match. I need to think at all times, when to make the right move and when to bob and weave.
“Boxing is not all about throwing punches but it is about how to hit and not get hit because protecting your brain is very important – and the only way to protect it is to defend more.”
Beginning as an orthodox boxer, Taqdeer started to adopt a southpaw stance two years ago and is now a switch-hitter.
“I adapt to my opponent during the fight, feeling how my opponent is getting hurt, and switch it up,” Taqdeer – whose career record stands at 24-4-0 – said.
“I can confuse my opponents. It’s not easy for them to predict which way my punches are coming from if I can box both stances.”
The HKU Space student – who is in his second year studying business – last fought in the Ultimate Extreme Fight Hong Kong event at Southorn Stadium this month, where he dominated and defeated 20-year-old Mongolian Choijilsuren Burenduurer en route to a unanimous decision.
He does not have another fight scheduled yet, but will be defending his Hong Kong Championship title in the upcoming season, which runs from April to December.
“I just want to get better, try my very best, develop my fundamentals even more and learn more about the boxing game,” he said.
When it comes to his idols, Taqdeer has always looked up to two boxing icons – both Olympic medallists, eight years apart.
“Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s 50-0 record speaks for itself,” Taqdeer said. “His IQ level is so high. Every time I watch him I can learn a lot because of his ability to adapt and to counterpunch.”
“Amir Khan is the first from the Pakistani community to become a world champion and an Olympic silver medallist,” he added. “He was an eye opener – if he can do it, then we can do it too.”
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