Two unbeaten British welterweights lock horns for IBO title in the New Year
Two unbeaten British welterweights Ali Zahid and Gilheaney to clash for IBO International title in the New Year
On Valentine's Day next year, there will be no love lost between Muhammad Ali Zahid (16-0, 1 KOs) and fellow unbeaten Brit Willy Gilheaney (6-0, 2 KOs) when they lock horns for the vacant IBO International welterweight title in Manchester.
The undefeated welterweights headline the Black Flash Promotions show on February 14, 2026, with rising flyweight prospect Mikie Tallon (11-0, 2 KO) on the undercard.
Ali Zahid, 32 from Rochdale, has defeated the likes of Midlands Area super-lightweight champion Ben Fields, and Southern Area welterweight champion Inder Bassi.
Nicknamed 'The Diabetic Kid', Zahid fought three times during 2025, firstly outpointing journeyman Dale Arrowsmith over six rounds in May, followed by his first ever knockout win against Tanzania's Issa Maneva in July, culminating in a career-best victory over southerner Inder Bassi to pick up his first professional title - the WBC Asian welterweight belt.
29 from Swansea, Willy Gilheaney is already a two-weight Welsh Area champion. The Welshman won his first four fights against the usual suspects before stepping up to challenge the Welsh Area super-middleweight titlist Ethan George, in April 20205, upsetting the champ with a wide 99-91 points decision. He then dropped down to middleweight to stop 8-0 opponent Carvell Crocker in six rounds to claim the 160lbs Welsh Area strap.
Despite having experienced 10 less pro bouts than Zahid, the Welshman has had a fantastic year winning two Welsh titles by UD and KO, which will take him into this next fight with with plenty of momentum and confidence.
A previous owner of the IBO International welterweight title was Ashley Theophane, from Tottenham, who went on to fight for a world title in Las Vegas, providing further incentive for the 147-pound headliners.
The undercard will see unbeaten super-welterweight prospect George 'Killer' Killeen (12-0, 2 KOs) fight Connor Goulding (5-6) in a Manchester vs Liverpool match.
Also, Kieran 'The Machine' McDaid (2-0) will be back after fighting twice in October and November 2025 to kick off his pro career, not losing any of the eight rounds boxed.
Blackpool's 21-year-old middleweight prospect Callum Espin-Fahy (2-0) kicks off the year with his first opponent not sporting a losing record, Jack 'Mad Dog' Swallow (3-3-1, 1 KO).
