FARNWORTH’S rising fight star Sahir Iqbal will not have to wait long to be in action in the new year.

The unbeaten prospect will appear on MTK Global’s show on February 19, looking to kick off 2021 in style.

Welterweight Iqbal will face Liam Wells looking to build on winning the WBC Youth title against Maredudd Thomas in August, extending his perfect record to eight wins out of eight as a professional.

Many saw that as a real 50-50 contest but it was the Bolton fighter who showed off his slick boxing skills to pick up the biggest win of his career to date.

And Iqbal, tipped by many to go far in the sport after an impressive amateur career, insists there is plenty more to come.

The 24-year-old, trained by Johnney Roye, said: “I’m glad to be out so soon in the New Year.

“I’m still young so I want to be fighting as much as possible without having too long a break.

“I was happy I got my first belt on a big MTK Global show on the last card.

“I thought I performed well but could’ve boxed a lot better.

“I still have a lot to show and will be showing more skills in this next fight against Liam Wells.”

Wells has lost just one of eight as a professional and has two stoppages on his record.

The Essex fighter is impressed by what he’s seen from Iqbal but has been training in some esteemed company meaning he feels ready for the challenge ahead.

Wells said: “I’m so happy and this is the type of fight I want to show the level I’m at.

“It was frustrating not getting to fight in 2020 but I didn’t waste time I was part of (Scottish world champion) Josh Taylor’s camp for his last fight and learnt so much from it.

“I’m really looking forward to this fight with Sahir Iqbal. He is a great fighter and one that I’m excited to test myself against.”

The card is headlined by Liam Walsh facing Paul Hyland Jnr for the vacant British lightweight title while Gary Cully clashes with Viktor Kotochigov for the WBO European lightweight title.

DP Carr will also defend his Southern Area super-featherweight title against Dean Dodge, the fight also serving as an eliminator for the English title.

The show will be streamed live on YouTube channel IFL TV.

The venue for the event is to be confirmed but as things stand, it will be behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions.