The big-hitting 37-year-old faces experienced Polish opponent Lucasz Parobiec on Saturday at BKFC 90 Birmingham.

It will be the latest step onto the big stage for Saleem, who runs the Unit bar in Carlisle.

And he heads into this weekend’s contest with some top-level preparation under his belt.

Saleem has been training with former world champion Mick Terrill in the north east, as well as being helped out locally with Andi Crossman at Wigton Amateur Boxing Club.

It sees Saleem in top shape for the fight, having been beaten by James Walker on his BKFC debut in March.

“The last fight I took on ten hours’ notice,” Saleem told the News & Star. “I was fasting at the time as well, so I didn’t really get a chance to get properly prepared for it.

“This time I’ve had a proper camp so it’s been going really well.

“Mick Terrill and Andy Davidson are my coaches, and I’m there training three times a week with them. They have taught me so much – and I must mention Andi at Wigton, who has helped me a great deal too.”

Kaseem Saleem has also been training with Andi Crossman at Wigton ABC (Image: Kaseem Saleem)

Saleem hails from Dumfries and says he will be flying the flag for both sides of the border when he gets in the ring with 46-year-old veteran Parobiec on Saturday.

It is the latest step on the eventful journey of the heavyweight fighter, who is a former professional boxer.

“I started off doing white collar shows when I was 18,” he said. “After my mum passed away when I was 23, I kind of gave up the boxing, but then I went back to it when I was 28, and at 29 was offered to turn professional.

“When I was 35 I got diagnosed with diabetes, so had to give my professional licence up. For a whole year I didn’t box, and I was itching to get back in the ring.

“I was then offered a fight last year in Workington on the WBKB bare-knuckle show. I fought for a British title, which I won – and then I got the phone call from the BKFC.

“It was a big opportunity and I couldn’t say no, even though the fight was very short notice. I felt I put on a good performance – I stood my ground and fought, even though I didn’t win and the fight got stopped due to a bad cut.

“Now to get offered this latest opportunity…it will be totally different.

“I didn’t ever think I’d get an opportunity like this, to fight on probably one of the biggest events the BKFC have ever had in the UK.”

Saleem won the British heavyweight title at WBKB V in Workington last year before getting his chance with the BKFC (Image: Studio 13 Photography)

The Birmingham card is headed by Connor Tierney’s interim world welterweight title fight. “There are some big names on the card, so to get an opportunity like this is unreal,” Saleem added.

Speaking about his transition from gloved boxing to the bare-knuckle scene, Saleem said: “In bare-knuckle you’re allowed to hold and punch, and it’s a totally different style of fighting.

“For my first fight it was an experience to see what the bare-knuckle world is going to be like. Now, with the right training, I’m on the right path.

“In that first fight I started slow, and had a game plan, but that went straight out of the window within 40 seconds, when I was knocked down.

“From there it just became like an all-out war. My style, mainly coming from boxing since I was 18, was that I used to pick my shots – but now it’s more a case of going in for a war.

“I feel like there’s no game plan in bare-knuckle boxing because one punch really does change the game in this sport.”

Opponent Parobiec is a well-travelled competitor in bare-knuckle and mixed martial arts.

“It’s not going to be an easy fight,” Saleem said. “This guy’s tough and very experienced. He’s beaten UFC world champions in the past and he holds the world record for the longest bare-knuckle round of 32 minutes.

“He’s no joke, and it will be a good challenge, which is what I want.”

“Everyone’s dream in this position is to be a world champion,” he added. “I’m 37, so I’ve not god much time in the game – but when you look at guys like [Carlisle’s] Danny Christie, who are in their 40s, anything’s possible.

“Even a British title would be amazing. There are some good fighters in the heavyweight division but there’s no-one there that’s really worrying me at the moment.

“If I get the win in Birmingham, I imagine I’ll be hitting some really high-level fights.

“It’s been a tough journey but hopefully it’ll be worth it in the end. I feel I’m representing both Carlisle and Dumfries, definitely. We’ve got good bare knuckle boxers from Carlisle like Danny and Kieron Sewell, and Agi [Faulkner] as well from out west.

“It’s good to work with all these guys, and we’ll have a good crowd going down from both Carlisle and Dumfries. I’ll be playing the fight live in the Unit as well. It’s going to be unreal.”

Saleem is keen to hear from anyone who would like to sponsor him on his BKFC journey.

“I run a nightclub in Carlisle as well as a security firm, and I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices by taking time off work. I’m putting a lot of time into this training camp. It’s not easy because I don’t have big sponsorships to sponsor me.

“Any local businesses who could sponsor my would be hugely appreciated.” He can be contacted via his social media account on Instagram.

For more information on BKFC 90 Birmingham, visit the BKFC website HERE.