Bilal Akkawy on the comeback trail after career-threatening back injury

Once considered the hardest pound-for-pound puncher in Australia, Bilal Akkawy was told to consider retirement, but is now on the comeback path.

Sydney boxer Bilal Akkawy wants to make another run at a world title after a serious back injury threatened to end his promising career.

Akkawy, who was widely regarded as one of the biggest pound-for-pound punchers in Australia, has fought just twice since his late-notice world title fight against John Ryder in May 2019.

Since then, the now 28-year-old has battled an ongoing back injury and specialists suggested he consider retirement.

A former sparring partner of boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Akkawy is using the pain of his third-round KO loss to Ryder, and the memories of fighting at Madison Square Garden and T-Mobile Arena, to fuel his comeback.

Akkawy lands one on John Ryder, but was eventually stopped in the third round. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

“I want a world title shot,” Akkawy said. “I want another crack and hopefully it’ll be on a little bit more than 11 days’ notice.

“The Ryder one was a big opportunity on a big card, so I wasn’t going to turn it down, but I want one more proper shot.

“I want the big fights. It’s a dream to be in those fights on a huge platform, big stage with the whole world watching. That’s any fighter’s dream. To get it, that’s a different story.”

Just weeks after the Ryder fight, which took place on the undercard of a Canelo world title fight in Las Vegas, Akkawy picked up a back injury which could have ended his career.

Akkawy (R) in training camp with Canelo before his injury. Picture: Supplied

“I ruptured a disc in my spine,” he said. “I was doing weight training and it gave out but I didn’t check out what it was. I just left it.

“When I started boxing again, my whole body seized up.

“One specialist said it could take a year, maybe two, before I would be recovered enough to start fighting again.

“One specialist said I should consider stopping boxing and have a career change.”

Akkawy sparring with Paul Gallen before his lay-off. Picture: Supplied

During his lowest moments over the past four years, Akkawy said he came close to packing it in but is finally on the comeback trail.

“There was a patch where it wasn’t recovering and I wasn’t sure whether I’d even get a chance to get back,” he said.

“I always wanted to keep going but I physically wasn’t able to.

“It was a rough patch, going from that level and that platform to not being able to fight at all.

“I was a full-time professional boxer. There was nothing else, no plan B.”

Akkawy quietly made his in-ring return last weekend when he beat Ashish Bandhor in the second round.

Bilal Akkawy batters Ashish Bandhor, winning a second round TKO. #boxingpic.twitter.com/oUPMHwXYEi

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) November 24, 2023

He showcased his renowned power by dropping Bandhor with a left hook to the head that led to Bandhor’s corner throwing in the towel 45 seconds later.

The crowd of a few hundred in Yagoona was a far cry from the tens of thousands who watched him in action in New York and Las Vegas but Akkawy said it was a positive first step.

“I’m back to doing what I’ve done for most of my life,” Akkawy said.

“This was one to just get back in there after four years of inactivity and next year I want to continue my journey back to a world title.

“With the lights and the crowd, it was an adrenaline rush, but I got comfortable real quick.

“I’m only going to get better from here. I’m going to shake off the cobwebs, get smoother and feel even more comfortable.”

Originally published as Bilal Akkawy on the comeback trail after career-threatening back injury