Luton boxer Ilyas is looking to make a 'statement' on his pro debut
Seasoned amateur will start in the paid ranks at Brentwood Leisure Centre
Luton boxer Jawad Ilyas is determined to make a ‘statement’ on his professional debut at the Brentwood Centre as part of the DAZN show in Essex on Sunday.
The 23-year-old, who had an extensive amateur career, with 55 amateur fights, boxing extensively across Europe in major tournaments including the Eindhoven Box Cup and Haringey Box Cup, also competing internationally against top amateurs from countries such as Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, Germany, and Canada.
Ilyas reached the 2025 Senior Elite National final, defeating multiple England and GB boxers, including last year’s national champion, along the way, plus the Algarve Box Cup semi-final and Haringey Box Cup final two years earlier, while was selected for the England set-up, but chose to turn down a scheduled bout in order to turn professional and secure an early pro debut in 2026.
He is now stepping inside the ropes for his first time in the paid ranks this weekend, taking on the experienced Eliecer Quezada, the 34-year-old Spaniard having won 24 of his 67 bouts, with four draws and 38 defeats, although his last victory came way back in December 2019. Speaking to Top Tier Boxing, then discussing his maiden outing, Ilyas said: “I don't really feel pressure. I’m looking for a good performance, to listen to my coach (Josh Burnham) and a good shut-out win.
“It's exactly the fight I need, especially this early in my career. I’m definitely going to take it with both hands as it’s a chance that not many fighters get, so I’m going to go there and make a statement. I’m an exciting fighter, I love pressure, I bring the heat, I’m never in a boring fight. The fans can expect fire, as I want to be a world champion. I know I can go all the way, that’s the main goal, that’s why I’m in this.”
Ilyas did a number of media interviews ahead of his opening bout, as when chatting to International Boxing News about the style he intends to bring with him and show those in attendance, continued: “They can expect someone who's aggressive, someone who is coming forward. I want to take my chance and I can’t wait to go there and put on a show, beat someone up and keep the fans entertained, that's what it's about.
"My style has always been aggressive, come forward, counter, hit hard. I’ve not based myself on anyone, I bring the heat and have fast hands. "I’m going to take it with both hands as boxing is everything to me, without boxing I don't know what I’d be doing so I’m blessed to have boxing.”
Meanwhile, when being interviewed by Lights Out, asked how his preparation has been going and his intentions going forward, Ilyas added: "My training camp has been going really well. I’m really ticking all the boxes, listening to my coach, taking in everything he’s been saying. I would like to have good fights, win good fights, not to be there just to be there.
“There is a bit of pressure on me as I am a decent little amateur, but the only people I feel pressure from is my family and my coaches. I’m really excited, I’ve been looking forward to times like this since I was an amateur and now it’s coming, I really can’t wait. I had about 50 amateur bouts, won about 40 of them. I recently got on the England team, but I wanted to have my debut before Ramadan and get the ball rolling.”
Meanwhile, on the bout itself, Ilyas added: “For my first professional fight, this is a tough test. Not many people take someone like this as their debut, most fighters face opponents with one win and a long list of losses. Eliecer is usually the kind of opponent people meet in their fourth or fifth fight, but my team believe in my ability, believes I can be moved quickly, and this is the right challenge at the right time.”