Faisal Mohammed, who has dwarfism, only took up the sport last year but has fought in front of hundreds of spectators
15:15, 23 Nov 2025Updated 16:36, 23 Nov 2025
Faisal Mohammed is one of only a handful of boxers with dwarfism in the UK(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
Only 18 months ago, Faisal Mohammed had never even slipped on a pair of boxing gloves.
But next week he’ll be fighting in front of hundreds as he goes head-to-head with the UK’s most famous boxer with dwarfism.
At 4ft 6ins tall, Faisal himself has dwarfism which is caused by skeletal dysplasia.
“I saw posts online for boxing from a promoter that was looking for another fighter for another dwarf,” said the 32-year-old, who admitted he “didn’t know anything” about the sport before signing up for a gym in June last year.
“Two days after that I signed up to a boxing gym and had my first fight in August.”
Faisal, from Aspley, was victorious in his first bout, against Likkleman Jr, but lost his second to Choon Tan a couple of months later, before getting his revenge in a rematch in December.
“It was hard because I knew nothing about boxing, I’d never boxed in my life. Now I love the sport now and don’t think I’ll stop,” he said.
Faisal, who trains around his job as assistant manager at Forest Lodge Care Home, is one of only a handful of boxers with dwarfism in the UK, making arranging fights difficult.
However on Saturday, November 29, he faces his toughest opponent yet in Likkleman, who boasts an unblemished record and a social media following in its hundreds of thousands.
Faisal is due to fight in Coventry on Saturday, November 29(Image: Faisal Mohammed)
His opponent will also have home advantage, with the white collar bout, put on by TB Promotions, taking place at the Sports Connexion Leisure Club in Coventry. However Faisal is unfazed.
“I get a lot of support from Nottingham and out of town, especially the Asian community.”
As with anybody with a platform who is considered different, Faisal has faced his fair share of mean comments online.
“I’ve got used to it kind of but it does affect my life. I get random people commenting on my height even when I’m out shopping,” he said.
“With this press conference stuff everything gets posted online and you get the odd few people giving you negative comments about being short, but that doesn’t really change anything for me.
“I’ve dealt with this all my life so I’m used to it. I laugh it off. It’s not going to put me off boxing if they call me short, it’s stating the obvious.
“I just don’t let it bother me because you don’t see these people getting in the ring trying to box. It’s not easy.”
Faisal is trained by former IBO champion Jawaid Khaliq(Image: Faisal Mohammed)
Faisal, trained by the former IBO welterweight champion Jawaid Khaliq at his gym in St Ann’s, has acted as a source of inspiration for aspiring boxers since taking up the sport – whether they have dwarfism too or not.
“Since I’ve started boxing I’ve had quite a few other dwarves message me and I think it’s motivating a lot of kids as well,” he said.
“Kids will come up to me in the gym and ask me about my boxing and it motivates them.
“Boxing is something on the side. I’m willing to pursue it as long as I can but I am 32 years old so I’ll stick with it for a few years before hanging my gloves up.
“It keeps you away from the bad and negative things out there and gives you good discipline.”