Eddie Hearn supports Bilal Fawaz's citizenship battle in UK
BBC Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 27, 2026, 2:07 PM
Last updated Jul 27, 2026
Eddie Hearn, promoter for boxing champion Bilal Fawaz, has called for the UK government to grant Fawaz a British passport, emphasizing that he has lived in the UK for more than 20 years. The light-middleweight champion, trafficked to the UK at age 14, has been unable to travel abroad or take his family on holiday due to his immigration status. Fawaz's story is featured in the BBC documentary 'Fighting for Freedom,' detailing his struggles and achievements in boxing. Hearn criticized the government’s delay in resolving Fawaz's citizenship issue and urged immediate action.
- •Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for over 20 years.
- •He was trafficked to the UK at age 14 and hasn’t traveled since.
- •Fawaz became British and Commonwealth boxing champion but lacks citizenship.
- •Eddie Hearn urges the UK government to expedite Fawaz's passport process.
- •Fawaz's journey is documented in 'Fighting for Freedom.'
- 3:15 PMBBC Sport — 'I feel pain' - the British champion with no British passport
- 2:07 PMYahoo Sports — 'Give him his passport' - Hearn backs British champion's citizenship fight
- 2:07 PMBBC Sport — 'Give him his passport' - Hearn backs British champion's citizenship fight
"Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for more than 20 years, and is a Commonwealth and British champion. He tells BBC Sport about his fight to secure a British passport.
"British champion Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for more than 20 years but is fighting for British citizenship - his story features in a new BBC documentary.
"British champion Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for more than 20 years but is fighting for British citizenship - his story features in a new BBC documentary.
Sources
External links- BBC SportJul 27, 2026, 3:15 PM'I feel pain' - the British champion with no British passport
Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for more than 20 years, and is a Commonwealth and British champion. He tells BBC Sport about his fight to secure a British passport.
- Yahoo SportsJul 27, 2026, 2:07 PM'Give him his passport' - Hearn backs British champion's citizenship fight
British champion Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for more than 20 years but is fighting for British citizenship - his story features in a new BBC documentary.
- BBC SportJul 27, 2026, 2:07 PM'Give him his passport' - Hearn backs British champion's citizenship fight
British champion Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for more than 20 years but is fighting for British citizenship - his story features in a new BBC documentary.
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