Founder

Pat Thomas

Pat Thomas is an iconic British champion boxer who has won multiple titles in two weights. In a career spanning 14 years, Pat won titles in two weights, including British Welterweight (1975 and 1976), British Light Middleweight (1979 and 1980) and Welsh Light Middleweight (1977). Born in 1950 on the Caribbean island of St Kitts, Pat moved to Cardiff when he was seven and has been a proud Welshman ever since. Growing up in poverty, he didn’t have an official coach and trained with his brother. But after great early results, he was assigned Les Roberts and started Tiger Bay Boxing Club, where he trained and helped other fighters. His first big boxing success came in 1975 when he beat Pat McCormack to take the British welterweight title. Moving up to light-middleweight, Pat found a new manager, Clive Hall, and that’s when he produced some of his finest performances. In 1979, Pat beat champion Jimmy Batten to take the prized Light-Middleweight belt, making him the first Welshman to win British titles in two weights since WWII. He retired in 1984 and went on to train boxers, including future Welsh world champion Barry Jones.

CEO and Co-founder

Wasim Said

Wasim Said is the founder of Tiger Bay Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) in 2018, after Welsh champion boxer Pat Thomas asked Wasim to continue his legacy and reform his old club in the heart of Butetown. Wasim has a wealth of experience in mixed martial arts and has trained and coached numerous professionals, allowing him to network and develop skills needed to manage talent. Wasim developed Tiger Bay Boxing club by assembling the team to meet the issues gathered from the Public Participatory Geographic Information Systems. Wasim is responsible for managing resources and continues improvement.

Co-founder

Sheik Said

Sheikh Said Hassan Ismail founded the South Wales Islamic Centre in Butetown and was an Imam at the mosque. Born to a Welsh mother, he moved to Cardiff as a boy after his father, who was born in Yemen, was killed in service during World War II. Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: “His wise counsel at times of crisis has made him a truly significant figure in the shaping of modern Wales.” Sheikh Said loved boxing. In 1960 he was an amateur boxing finalist, however due to issues with his eyesight and judges finding out he used contact lenses, he unfortunately could not finish his career in boxing. Daoud Salaman, chairman of the South Wales Islamic Centre, said: "He was a great man who didn't think anything of himself, he was modest, he had time for everyone. If he could help people, he would."

Boxing Coach

Najah Ali

Najah Ali, also known as Naj, was a professional boxer in year 2004 Olympics, International Masters champion and a the Commonwealth Championships challenger. During his career, Naj fought 15 professional fights and over 100 amateur fights. During the 2004 Olympics, he trained with team USA Olympians. Naj contended in the Philippines, Pakistan, China, Athens and London and was featured on BBC, CNN, Sky Sports, Euro Sports, beIN sports and was featured in traditional best fights in the UK (Box nation). During his time in the US, Naj was awarded contribution to the community awards by the New-York Police Department. He continued working in the community when he moved to Wales by sharing his experience and knowledge in grassroots boxing.

Project Manager

Sarah Bowen

Sarah Bowen puts into practise all operations on projects and supports the organisaiton in order to reach its targets.

Project Leader

Caroline Scerri