Girlington dad-of-four Inzar Iqbal, who described himself as being a super fit athlete, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2021.
It was a battle he would face alongside his 17-year-old daughter Hannah’s thyroid cancer.
The doctors told Inzar he only had just over a year to live if he did not undergo treatment as soon as possible.
Bradford man talks about cancer battle
Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Inzar said: “I was shocked. I could not believe it.
“I have been a very fit athlete for most of my life. I just couldn’t swallow it.
“Why me? I watch what I eat, and I am in good shape.”
‘One of the most aggressive treatments out there’
He added: “They said if I didn’t have treatment, you have got around 14 months to live because this will rapidly take over your life and before you know it you will be gone.
“So, I just cracked on with the treatment from there.
“I had three cycles of chemo, and then a stem cell transplant at St James.
“It was probably one of the most aggressive treatments out there. I lost my hair and about three stones.”
‘It was very hard for the family’
The 47-year-old carried on training boxers until physically it became too much.
He said: “I continued with the boxing and did not tell anybody until it got to a point when my bones started to ache and I got questions about the weight I was losing.
“That is when I packed it in.”
Then he discovered his daughter was going through the same struggle.
“I was battling with her,” he added.
“I was getting treated and at the same time attending appointments at the LGI for her.
“We were in this together me and my daughter. It was very hard for the family.”
The pair would thankfully go on to gain the all clear.
Inzar got the news in 2024 following a bone marrow test and went into remission.
Relief as Inzar ‘one of the lucky ones’
His reaction to the good news was one of relief.
Inzar believes he is one of the lucky ones after discovering people on his ward did not make it.
“It was a massive relief,” he said.
“Mentally it really affected me because I could not get over that a fit person like me was so vulnerable at the same time.”
Inzar added: “There was a lot of people in the wards that didn’t make it. It was quite tough.
“I keep saying that I am one of the lucky ones to get through it.
“It wasn’t the same for the people around me. I am very fortunate for that.”
Inzar Iqbal alongside coach Maj in the new gym (Image: UGC)
Lights Out boxing gym reopens
Last month, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain went down to reopen Lights Out boxing gym on Kirkgate in the city centre.
Inzar said: “People were over the moon when we reopened.
“I got so many messages and cards saying it is so good to have you back.
“I have developed a good relationship over the years with the community. They were so happy that I was back.”
Boxing world champion fighting similar battle
During his three-year battle, Inzar spoke to former world champion boxer Australian Billy Dib who had a similar fight on his hands on the other side of the globe.
“Me and Billy Dib were in hospital at the same time.
“He was four weeks ahead of me in terms of his treatment.
“He told me I could get through it. It was good talking to him at the same time, knowing I am not alone in this battle.”
Inzar concluded by saying: “People are dying from cancer everyday so for me to comeback from it, it is a massive relief.”
Lights Out boxing gym offers classes every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Junior are in from 6-7pm, and the senior classes are 7-8pm.