British Asian Fighters
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Southpaw Stylist
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1484
- Joined: 19 Jul 2003, 04:50
I've been to Delhi and I've been to Durbans9s wrote:More like tumbleweed rolling past and bell tolls ringing....jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's part of Asia.
I had an idea for a Seikh musical once, about a young Seikh boy called ram who wants to become a pop star.
I was going to call it "Sing, Ram, Sing!"
Cue drum roll....
And its sikh, not seikh.
But all I want to do is shake my turban
Remember that Sikh Elvis impersonator, from the seventies i remeber, wore the white elvis suit and a white turban. His name was peter singh i think and he was from cardiff. Anyway, he had this line in a version of an elvis song.JohnShep wrote:I've been to Delhi and I've been to Durbans9s wrote:More like tumbleweed rolling past and bell tolls ringing....jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's part of Asia.
I had an idea for a Seikh musical once, about a young Seikh boy called ram who wants to become a pop star.
I was going to call it "Sing, Ram, Sing!"
Cue drum roll....
And its sikh, not seikh.
But all I want to do is shake my turban
I don't smoke, i dont drink bourbon
All i want to do is shake my turban.
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LightCruiser
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 34
- Joined: 29 Apr 2005, 16:24
Well the list has certainly grown from the half dozen I knew of, I think there is a trend starting here in that there are so many asians coming through.
Many decades ago the immigrant jewish population provided the ranks with scores of fighters , often it was the only way out of poverty etc.
Perhaps todays Asians are following in their footsteps??
I read somewhere that there are a lot less british afro-carribean fighters coming through because the yougsters realise there is more money to be made in soccer. British asians have always been very poorly represented in soccer so perhaps they have found their niche in boxing (with its many weight divisions) also its an individual sport so perhaps they are subjected to less prejudice????
As a british asian myself ( a bit past my best at 42 though!) I am trying to think who would be the most important british-asian sporting icon of this era .. it would have to be boxer Amir Khan. But prior to him who else is there ? Sure there is Nasser Hussain the cricketer (born in India to a white mother though). Any others???
Many decades ago the immigrant jewish population provided the ranks with scores of fighters , often it was the only way out of poverty etc.
Perhaps todays Asians are following in their footsteps??
I read somewhere that there are a lot less british afro-carribean fighters coming through because the yougsters realise there is more money to be made in soccer. British asians have always been very poorly represented in soccer so perhaps they have found their niche in boxing (with its many weight divisions) also its an individual sport so perhaps they are subjected to less prejudice????
As a british asian myself ( a bit past my best at 42 though!) I am trying to think who would be the most important british-asian sporting icon of this era .. it would have to be boxer Amir Khan. But prior to him who else is there ? Sure there is Nasser Hussain the cricketer (born in India to a white mother though). Any others???
Im also indian, (born and bred in Britain), most of the younger guys i know (im 35), are into kick boxing as far as combat sports go. Its interesting to note that more asin boxers are coming from the north of england , bolton, bradford etc etc than south, possibly cos its crap up north?
However, most guys my age remember boxing from its golden age of the 80's when we had excellent domestic & world coverage shown on both BBC and ITV (ahhh saturday afternoons, World Of Sport, Reg Gutteridge).
So i beleive the lack of fighters is due to lack of coverage, simple. And the reason why there are so many kick boxing? Every gym round my way have all sorts of classes, and kick boxing is nearly always one of them.
However, most guys my age remember boxing from its golden age of the 80's when we had excellent domestic & world coverage shown on both BBC and ITV (ahhh saturday afternoons, World Of Sport, Reg Gutteridge).
So i beleive the lack of fighters is due to lack of coverage, simple. And the reason why there are so many kick boxing? Every gym round my way have all sorts of classes, and kick boxing is nearly always one of them.
I think there was a massive influx of Asian younsters into the game when Prince Naz was making a name for himself. Those youngsters I'd guess are the same ones who are fighting in the pro ranks at the moment. yes, that influx did slow down when Naz started going downhill. However, I think we'll see a big increase in the number of Asian proffessionals in the next few years as hundreds of Asian kids have started taking up amateur boxing again after seeing Amir Khan do so well. I don't think it has anything do with getting themselves out of poverty as Lightcruiser suggests. I think it has a lot more to with looking up to good role models. Prince Naz (although Yemeni) and Khan have been fantastic role models for asian youths. All we need now is an asian footballing superstar and it will make the clubs and scouts realise that there is real talent among the asian community. It would also make the kids believe that they can achieve. (I'm talking about real asian superstar, not Zesh Rehman at Fulham and Michael Chopra at Barnsley!)
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LightCruiser
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 34
- Joined: 29 Apr 2005, 16:24
Fish,
I take your point about asians pursuing boxing because of new and better role models like Amir Khan and Prince Naseem. I wouldnt underestimate the lure of rewards and wealth as well though. Although "poverty" in the 21st century is nothing like it was in the thirties etc, it still plays a part.
One thing is interesting is that for the FIRST time there is now a British-Asian role model that white, afro-caribean and asian youths can ALL aspire to.
How long before we see British White and Black teenagers proudly displaying an "Amir Khan" teeshirt or other accessory??
That's NEVER happened before and it feels strange just mentioning it (for me as a British-asian guy!)
I take your point about asians pursuing boxing because of new and better role models like Amir Khan and Prince Naseem. I wouldnt underestimate the lure of rewards and wealth as well though. Although "poverty" in the 21st century is nothing like it was in the thirties etc, it still plays a part.
One thing is interesting is that for the FIRST time there is now a British-Asian role model that white, afro-caribean and asian youths can ALL aspire to.
How long before we see British White and Black teenagers proudly displaying an "Amir Khan" teeshirt or other accessory??
That's NEVER happened before and it feels strange just mentioning it (for me as a British-asian guy!)