ZAKCHELLI opted to box in the classroom ahead of his eagerly awaited return this weekend.
Fulham-born 24-year-old was working as a secondary school supply teacher during the Covid-19 pandemic, which put his boxing dreams on hold.
Boxing legend Zak Chelli was made a secondary school supply teacher during
the Covid pandemic.
will see the super-middleweight star return to the ring on Saturday.
The super-middleweight star quickly realized that the 9 to 5 lifestyle was not for his and began to dream of the glamour and excitement of holidaying in Dubai.
Shadow boxing was something he would often do during lessons. His students knew that he was going to return to the ring.
After being out for a year, Chelli will finally be fighting Tomas Adamek at BOXXER’S Newcastle show on Saturday. He was originally scheduled to fight in London last week.
He stated, "Because I was a Covidian, I had to find a job.
"I received a degree as a business manager, so I decided to put it to good work and became a secondary school supply teacher.
"I teach different subjects in different years. The worst years are seven through eight, but the best are above them.
They could see that I wasn't a teacher every time I taught a lesson. They would sometimes see me shadowboxing in classes because I had that vibe.
"They call me their favourite teacher, which is wonderful. They are always happy to have me around so I'm happy. But, I'm glad I'm back boxing.
.
READ MORE ABOUT SUNSPORT
After winning BOXXER’S tournament in November 2020, the graduate of Surrey University has been a hit with fans.
Vladimir Georgiev was defeated on points by him in the semi-final, but he then dropped Mike McGoldrick three more times to reach the final.
However, the coronavirus continued to disrupt his fight schedule and he was forced into long hours in the classroom while completing training.
Get a PS10 Bonus with 100s of Games to Play and No Deposit Required
He said, "I have covered all subjects." Drama, music, history, maths science. English was my least favorite subject.
"I started training everyday from uni, then studying and finally training but it became a lot more difficult because a 9-5 takes a lot out of me."
Chelli had to even question whether boxing was the right choice for him in his youth.
His hunger for a title shot, and a large pay check kept him going.
Fulham's star said: "There were points where I thought that it would be quite difficult to get back into the boxing.
"But then, I saw the 9-5 lifestyle. I thought "wow, I don't want it. I hate it!"
"I want to live on a beach while I am young. I don't want my life to be full-time work and then retire later in life.
"The only way you can do that is through boxing, so I made sure to get back into it."
Oleksandr Usyk wished Chelli luck before his last victory in Ukraine's capital Kiev over Bohdan Harkavyi in 2021.
Chelli was already a heavyweight champ's target when he represented England at the junior World Championships. They met in Kiev for the first time in 2014.
Chelli's family will support him in Newcastle this weekend, and he looks forward to enjoying his mom's Italian cuisine after he weighs in on Friday.
He stated that he was born in London but that his mother is Italian and that his father is Tunisian. It's a mix of both.
"After I'm done with the weight, I want a nice slice of pizza. Every Sunday, my mom makes pizzas.
"When English people have Sunday roasts in Italy, we have Sunday pizza."
"It's difficult to keep in shape, my mom always buys lots cake and chocolates so I just go to work extra hard.
"I'm going for a good knockout and will go back in for titles. I want to go on a trip to Dubai!"
