Fighting For Freedom: Bilal Fawaz
The extraordinary story of the British champion boxer who remains without a British passport after living in the country for more than two decades.
The incredible story of Bilal Fawaz, the British and Commonwealth champion boxer who remains without a British passport after living in the country for more than two decades.'
Fawaz鈥檚 extraordinary journey is explored in this new 麻豆社 documentary 'Fighting for Freedom', which follows him as he prepares to defend his British title against Ryan Kelly in Wolverhampton in May.
Fawaz was trafficked to the United Kingdom at the age of 14 and has not travelled outside the country since arriving.
The London-based light-middleweight represented England as an amateur before turning professional after receiving a work permit, but his immigration status prevents him from fighting abroad or taking his family on holiday.
Promoter Eddie Hearn says the government should be 鈥渆mbarrassed鈥� that Fawaz remains without a passport after living in the country for more than two decades.
鈥淲hat on earth is the hold-up?鈥� Matchroom promoter Hearn has told the 麻豆社.
鈥淵ou want to go down to Number 10 and bang on the door and say, 鈥楳ate, I know our country鈥檚 a complete state at the moment, but any chance of dealing with this? It鈥檚 the most ridiculous thing I鈥檝e ever heard.鈥�
鈥淚f you were them, you鈥檇 almost be embarrassed. Someone should look at it and go, 鈥榃hat are you guys doing? Give him his passport.鈥欌��
The documentary follows Fawaz inside the gym and at home with his family, as well as on the dancefloor during one of his regular salsa sessions.
鈥淚 am in prison,鈥� Fawaz says. 鈥淚鈥檝e been in this country for 24 beautiful years and I鈥檝e never travelled.鈥�
He believes he could already have become a world champion had he received a passport in his early twenties.
鈥淭he government are denying him that opportunity, which is so wrong,鈥� Hearn added 鈥淚 could get him a big fight in America. I could get him a fight in Saudi. This is a story that resonates in any part of the world."
This programme contains a reference to physical harm. The 麻豆社 Action Line has details of a range of advice and support for anyone affected by the issues raised. /actionline/
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