Three years ago, on April 17, 2022, the boxing world tragically lost one of its brightest talents, Haaver Ali Toheed Tazeem, affectionately known as Ali Tazeem. A devastating, fatal car crash that echoed through the British Asian boxing community took away the 18-year-old from us way too soon.

The teenage sensation was one of the brightest prospects of modern British boxing, with 15 international medals in just 51 amateur fights. Dubbed as the ‘Next Amir Khan’, Tazeem had signed a deal with Probellum just a month before the devastating tragedy. The loss left a hole in boxing that still exists, and marking the anniversary, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao mourned the loss alongside Sean Gibbons.

Manny Pacquiao’s heartfelt message for the young talent

On Sunday, April 20, Pound 4 Pound Boxing Academy, which Tazeem had joined a few years before his tragic passing, shared a video on their Instagram featuring Manny Pacquiao and Sean Gibbons. The duo sent a heartfelt message to Tazeem’s father, Toheed Tazeem, the head coach at Pound 4 Pound boxing academy. The matchmaker and PacMan were seen holding up a T-shirt with Ali Tazeem’s picture on it. “Dr.T, we know it’s been three years, and your son Ali Tazeem, we think of him every day, he’s not ever forgotten and his memory will live on,” said Gibbons in honor of the memory of the fallen teenage sensation.

Manny Pacquiao decided to remember the good times and honor the memory of young Tazeem. “Yes. That was good times. Thankyou,” said the Filipino legend. A few days ago, Pound 4 Pound Academy also honored Tazeem’s memory and posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. “3YRS ❤️🕊️ 17-04-2022 May Allah swt grant him the highest rank in Jannah Al fidous, Ameen,” the message read.

Ali began his boxing journey at the age of 8 at Priory Park Boxing Club in Dudley while attending Colton Hills Community School. Later, he started training at the Prospects Amateur Boxing Club in Derby before joining his father, Dr.Tee’s Pound 4 Pound boxing gym.

When the gym posted a tribute to one of its brightest talents on the date of his passing, messages of remembrance started pouring in, including from the legend Ali was once compared to.

Amir Khan honoring his prodigy

Marking the remembrance, Amir Khan took to his Instagram story to pay tribute to the fallen boxing star. “RIP champ,” he wrote. Amir Khan, a good friend of Dr. Tee, held Ali in high regard and was with the family through the difficult time. The Wolverhampton-born puncher was getting trained under Floyd Mayweather Sr. for a week before the accident took him away.

The loss of his son completely devastated Mr. Toheed Tazeem, who described his son as his best friend. “He was not just my son; he was my best mate. We traveled the world together, from Cuba to tournaments around the world. Ali was just winning everything, getting the best boxer of the tournament,” he recalled.

The outpouring of tributes for Ali Tazeem from the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Sean Gibbons, and Amir Khan underscores the profound impact he left on boxing and beyond. It might have been three years since we lost him, but Ali Tazeem’s spirit lives on, inspiring all who knew his brilliant boxing skills and his heart.

You are welcome to leave a message of remembrance and support down below.