English light-middleweight champion Bilal Fawaz steps into the ring on Saturday to challenge for the British title belt, a significant moment in his boxing career. However, this achievement comes with a bitter irony – Fawaz, who has been boxing professionally for years, is still fighting to obtain a British passport after a 30-year struggle.
The fighter's situation highlights the complex issues surrounding nationality and sport, as he continues his battle inside the ring while simultaneously fighting bureaucratic processes outside of it.