HEREFORD has a new boxing champion after Othman Said won the National Development title in Kettering.

The 24-year-old from South Wye Police Amateur Boxing Club had two wins in 24 hours at the Arena Sports venue to win the cruiserweight championship.

Born in Libya, Said fled the civil war there in his teens and made his way across Europe to England.

He slept on the streets, was imprisoned and beaten on his journey that took him all the way to Hereford.

He said after winning the Development title at the third attempt: “I’ve had messages from all over the world, people messaging me and telling me: ‘Congratulations.’

“It’s great for them, for the club and for Hereford. This is a dream come true.”

Vince McNally MBE coaches Said along with Chris Cannon and David Wood and he said: “To come from where he’s come from and to achieve this is massive.

“This means so much to him.”

Said had three wins to reach the semi-finals in Kettering where he faced Jude Ani Asiedu (Far Cotton).

He said: “He was tall and strong, but I pushed him back and controlled him.”

That set up a final against Fidel Asudi (Lucky Gloves) for the title.

“He was strong and had been knocking out all of his opponents,” said the Hereford boxer, “but I pressured him in the first round and took him to school in the second and third.”

The result puts Said in the record books alongside the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as Development Champions.

The championship is for boxers who have had fewer than 20 bouts and Said won the title at the third attempt having previously reached the welterweight final back in 2019.