Saleem said “at first I thought he was crazy, we’re 100 years old between us”.
However, when Harley approached him he felt the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“It’s the leader of the council versus a community champion raising thousands of pounds,” Saleem added.
Of course, no fight of this magnitude would be right without the obligatory trash talk, with Saleem getting the words in first.
“Patrick Harley, when you see this right hand coming for you, It will not be the right hand of Shaz Saleem, no no, this right hand will be the hand of the community coming at you,” he warned.
Harley meanwhile has been channelling his inner Muhammad Ali when asked for some words for his opponent, before accepting he may have to stick to the day job.
“His name is Saleem, but on the 21st he won’t look so mean, when I go in there and completely clean,” he countered.
The fight will be staged at Dudley Town Hall, with proceeds going to the 2026 Mayoral Charities including Friends of Alfie Johnson and Brierley Hill Baby Bank.