EXCITING boxer Leo Atang keeps on learning as he continues to gain traction on the professional scene – with the York prospect hoping he can produce a winning start to 2026.
Atang, a highly-regarded prospect, had an incredible first year as a professional boxer by making his pro debut, maintaining an unbeaten record, and earning global attention after bursting onto the scene.
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It comes after years of training under the expertise of Ash Martin, of local gym Legions Boxing Club.
For the 18-year-old, he intends to keep learning and improving after recording an incredible TKO victory against Ugandan Baba Yusuf, with the referee stopping the fight after just 1 minute and 25 seconds.
That victory came in Matchroom Boxing’s first event in Ghana, a new experience for both Atang and coach Martin, who were given the ‘presidential treatment’ by their hosts.
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“I don’t want to get too hung up on it, because I’m beating guys that I should be beating,” Atang told the Press.
“I’m glad that I’m doing it in the way I want to be doing it.
“It was more of an interesting experience, because it’s something that I’ve never really experienced before.
“Fighting outdoors, in a big arena, the heat, it was more just to gain experience.
“He was trying to give it to me in the press conference a bit, so it was a good little build-up for the fight.
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“I went in there and did my thing, there’s always stuff we can improve on in the gym and we’ll look back on that.
“That’s what we’ll bring to the next fight.
“It was class, everyone was so welcoming and friendly.
“It was all new cultures, new experiences, I proper loved it.
“They made me feel like I was at home.”
Martin reiterated what his prodigy had commented on the Ghana experience, and opened the door to a return to the African country should another event emerge.
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The York coach said on Atang’s performance against Yusuf: “The fight itself was kind of what I expected it to be, with an opponent that was absolutely coming to win.
“He had called Leo out at the press conference and when he came in there, we knew he was turning up to win.
“I did say that I think this guy [Yusuf] will be Leo’s fastest stoppage now, and it was.
“It was unreal [in Ghana], we got presidential treatment the entire time we were there and they couldn’t have looked after us any better.
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York boxer Leo Atang celebrates with his team from Legions Boxing Club after defeating Baba Yusuf within one round in Ghana. (Image: Supplied)
“I’d love to go back for another show, it was really special.”
Next up for six-foot-six Atang, he returns to the UK to fight on the undercard of Bakhram Murtazaliev’s defence of the junior middleweight title against Josh Kelly.
The fight, set to take place on Saturday, January 31, will be held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.
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Atang will be fighting alongside another York prospect of Legions Boxing Club in Brad Casey, who also boasts a 3-0 record since turning professional.
When asked how his experience back in England will differ to his time in Ghana, Atang responded: “It won’t be as hot! My friends, my family will all be there showing their support, the people who support me.
“It’ll be great to be back out in front of a home crowd, and hopefully I can give them another big night.”
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It will also be fantastic for Atang to have close friend Casey back on the same undercard, allowing the pair to show their support to one another as they both look to extend their unbeaten records.
“We did it once on my second and his first fight, and we’re so glad that we’re able to do it again for both of our fights.
“It’s going to be class.”
Martin added: “It’s nice to have them on the same night, not just in the same country but on the same show this time.
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“This will be the second time that they’ve been on the same show as each other, the third time they’ve been on the same night.
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“It’s good for us, it’s good for us as a gym to be able to showcase both of them under one roof.
“The boys are really looking forward to it.”
And ahead of a first fight of 2026, training has been as sharp as ever for Atang, who did benefit from a brief break at Christmas, in order to reset and charge into his next fight head on.
Martin believes Atang is ‘nailing’ his training camp ahead of his Newcastle fight, with his opponent still yet to be announced.
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“He’s bounced straight back into camp and has had a few days off for Christmas after his last fight,” Martin explained.
“We trained after Christmas, he got back into it and was working on everything that we’ve worked on.
“As much as we are working fight to fight, we’re always looking at the bigger picture, how it needs to look for that.
“He’s nailing it, he’ll be ready tonight if we needed him to be.
“The 31st of January, he’ll be ready.”
Atang continued: “I’ve rested over Christmas and stuff, but we’ve gotten straight back into it.
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“We’ve been working on things, sharpening up on things which I messed up in the last fight.
“Hopefully I can make it look better in this fight.
“There’s a bit [of analysis] but I mainly leave that to my coach, and I just work on them things, whatever he tells me we work on in here.”
As Atang enters his second full year as a professional boxer, he’ll be hoping he can continue to boast an unbeaten record, whilst also gaining needed experience to establish himself in the pro game.
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Leo Atang and Brad Casey will be on the undercard of Bakhram Murtazaliev versus Josh Kelly in Newcastle on January 31. (Image: Supplied)
2025 was therefore a special year for the 18-year-old, being the year that he first turned professional and began to make a name for himself: “It was good. It was exactly what I wanted it to be.
“We got the fights under the belt and we got the exposure, so now we just need to keep on that.
“Hopefully I can stay injury-free and have another big year.
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“I just want to get as many fights as possible.
“If I can get the wins, then I can get the experiences and can hopefully impress everybody.
“I want to give everyone a lot of great nights.”
It’s been a special 12 months for Legions Boxing Club and Martin too, who have been successful in their attempts to develop York talent to become professional boxers.
Both Atang and Casey are now flying the flag for not only York, but also for Legions – with Marin admitting it was a ‘dream’ for the future of the sport in North Yorkshire.
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“Last year, on this day last year, neither of them were turning pro in the calendar year,” he reflected.
“They’ve now both finished the year 3-0.
“2025 boxing-wise was a dream for us, the boys have turned pro, have got on the big stage, we’ve moved into the new gym and have got that fully established now.
“It’s been a brilliant year for the boxing gym.
“Moving into this year, it’s exciting to see what’s going to come.
“The boys have got plenty to come, and we’ve got various dates in the calendar to look at.
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“Given how last year looked, this year is only going to be more exciting.”
Tickets remain available to watch both Atang and Casey in action, with more information and enquires at Legionsgymboxingclub@outlook.com.