Fighting For Freedom: Bilal Fawaz

The incredible story of Bilal Fawaz, the British and Commonwealth champion boxer who remains without a British passport after living in the country for more than two decades.'

Fawaz’s extraordinary journey is explored in this new BBC documentary 'Fighting for Freedom', which follows him as he prepares to defend his British title against Ryan Kelly in Wolverhampton in May.

Fawaz was trafficked to the United Kingdom at the age of 14 and has not travelled outside the country since arriving.

The London-based light-middleweight represented England as an amateur before turning professional after receiving a work permit, but his immigration status prevents him from fighting abroad or taking his family on holiday.

Promoter Eddie Hearn says the government should be “embarrassed” that Fawaz remains without a passport after living in the country for more than two decades.

“What on earth is the hold-up?” Matchroom promoter Hearn has told the BBC.

“You want to go down to Number 10 and bang on the door and say, ‘Mate, I know our country’s a complete state at the moment, but any chance of dealing with this? It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.’

“If you were them, you’d almost be embarrassed. Someone should look at it and go, ‘What are you guys doing? Give him his passport.’”

The documentary follows Fawaz inside the gym and at home with his family, as well as on the dancefloor during one of his regular salsa sessions.

“I am in prison,” Fawaz says. “I’ve been in this country for 24 beautiful years and I’ve never travelled.”

He believes he could already have become a world champion had he received a passport in his early twenties.

“The government are denying him that opportunity, which is so wrong,” Hearn added “I could get him a big fight in America. I could get him a fight in Saudi. This is a story that resonates in any part of the world."

This programme contains a reference to physical harm. The BBC Action Line has details of a range of advice and support for anyone affected by the issues raised. https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/