From his fashion studio on the Welsh coast, Imtayaz Qassim creates some of the most distinctive outfits worn by the world’s most famous boxers. His designs have adorned champions like WCB World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who will step into the ring Saturday night in Saudi Arabia to face off against undefeated Oleksandr Usyk.
Billed as the biggest fight in history, this event will showcase not only the fighters’ physical prowess but also their sartorial choices, which can significantly influence their mindset. “I like to tell people’s stories through the garments,” Qassim told CBS News. His business, Bespoke Boxing, starts each outfit with a client consultation.
“We delve into the significance of certain colors and their impact on the fighter. For example, Tyson Fury has specific needs due to issues with shorts movement, so for the Usyk fight, we opted for a skort style instead of traditional shorts,” Qassim explained.
The scene a boxer creates during their “ring walk” can set the tone for the fight. Former cruiserweight world champion and sports commentator Johnny Nelson emphasizes the psychological impact of this moment. “The ring walk is everything. It’s your peacock moment, where you showcase what you’ve trained for,” Nelson said.
From the simplicity of Mohammed Ali’s white robe to the flamboyance of Prince Naseem Hamed’s magic carpet entrance in 2000, ring walks project a boxer’s personality. “Everybody’s looking at you, judging you. The outfit is as important as the walk,” Nelson added. “It puts you in that gladiatorial mentality.”
Qassim, a boxer himself since the age of 8, understands this mentality well. His unique designs include a fisherman outfit for Terence Crawford, a bulletproof vest for Jake Paul, and a manga-inspired ensemble for Ben Whittaker.
“I’m proud to see my work on the biggest stages,” Qassim said. “It inspires me to do more and to do better.” Nelson concluded, “Capturing the imagination of non-boxing fans is how you become a global superstar.”