Not even fasting will keep Accrington boxer Artif Ali out of the gym.

Ali is currently enjoying a well-earned break after maintaining his unbeaten professional record last Friday.

Ramadan then begins this Sunday and it’s considered to be the most difficult in years for British Muslims as it falls during the summer.

They will therefore have only five hours to eat and drink between dusk and dawn.

So while Ali admits he won’t be able to train as hard as he normally does during his down time, he can’t help but remain a regular visitor at Tyson’s Fitness Factory.

“It’ll be tough this year because for 30 days we can’t eat for 19 hours each day,” he explained.

“The boxing season’s over now so I wouldn’t be training as much as normal anyway.

“But the gym’s open 24 hours so a friend and I will be going in there late. I enjoy training, I see it as a hobby, and even though it is Ramadan, it’s important I keep things ticking over.”

Ali had been training for nine weeks ahead of his latest fight at the weekend.

And the 26-year-old featherweight continued the positive start to his pro career by claiming a comfortable win over Qasim Hussain at Southport.

Although Ali was taken to points for the fourth time in his four pro fights, he was handed a unanimous decision and felt it was another step in the right direction.

“I had a great night,” said Ali.

“I was happy to get another win and another four rounds in the bag.

“He came in heavier than me. He came in at 9st 7 because he’s a natural featherweight while I came in at 9st 4.

“But I’m used to sparring with bigger guys who are around 11, 12 stone, so it wasn’t a problem. He didn’t hurt me once.

“I’ve had a blister on my foot the last two weeks. I had to fight southpaw because I couldn’t push off my right foot but I handled it so it was another good test, I got lots out of it.”

Ali started out at the Kokoro gym in Accrington and has been boxing for nine years, getting around 30 amateur fights under his belt before turning pro in March last year.

He now trains at the Champs Camp gym in Moss Side, Manchester, under the watchful eyes of former British champion Ensley Bingham and ex-world champion Carl Thompson, who beat the likes of David Haye and Chris Eubank during his illustrious career.

Around 80 Ali fans made the trip to Southport’s Floral Hall at the weekend and he felt he gave them something to get excited about.

“It was a long way for them to come and they came to see a proper fight so I tried to give them one,” Ali added.

“I could easily have sat back and boxed on the back foot but I didn’t want to do that, so I started brawling with him a bit. I landed some big shots which must have looked good but it was a bit messy really. I know I can box better if I need to and I’ll have to do that in my next fight because we’re looking at a six rounder.”

After Ramadan, Ali aims to return to full training in readiness for his next bout.

That’s scheduled to be on September 6, when boxing makes a long-awaited return to the King George’s Hall.

The mouth-watering bill for the Blackburn venue is also set to feature fellow local boxers Adam Machaj and Luke Blackledge.

Ali added: “I’d like to thank Tyson’s Fitness Factory for their support, along with my sponsors, Harwood Solicitors in Blackburn and the National Advice Clinic in Bury.”