British light-middleweight boxing champion Bilal Fawaz has lived in the UK for more than 20 years but remains without a British passport, preventing him from traveling abroad for fights or family holidays, his promoter Eddie Hearn said.
Fawaz, 38, was trafficked to the UK at age 14 and has never left the country since arriving.
He represented England six times as an amateur before turning professional after receiving a work permit.
He has won the British and Commonwealth titles but is restricted by his immigration status from fighting overseas, including in lucrative markets like Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Hearn Calls for Action
"What on earth is the hold-up?" Hearn asked.
"You want to go down to Number 10 and bang on the door and say: '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.'"
Born in Nigeria to a Beninese mother and Lebanese father, Fawaz was brought to London believing he would reunite with his father but was instead confined to a house, forced to work, and prevented from attending school or socializing.
After escaping, he entered the care system and faced minor convictions during his youth.
"My best friend was the window," Fawaz said. "I could see people walking and kids outside playing, but I wasn't allowed to play with them."
He found stability at the All Stars Boxing Club in west London, becoming an English amateur champion but unable to pursue Olympic qualification or professional contracts due to lack of work and travel permissions.
He was twice detained by immigration authorities but released after a judge found no lawful grounds for detention, leaving him effectively stateless.
Fawaz obtained a work permit at age 33 and quickly won the English light-middleweight title by defeating Junaid Bostan, then claimed the British and Commonwealth titles by beating Ishmael Davis.
"Boxing saved me," Fawaz said. "It's my addiction.
Boxing gave me the feeling that I deserve more. I've worked hard.
When will I get the dues and respect that I deserve?"
The BBC documentary Fighting for Freedom followed Fawaz as he prepared to defend his British title in Wolverhampton in May and explored his life as a father and partner in the UK.
"The only way I can fill the void is by being there for my family and my sons," he said.
"That's healing."
Despite having a British partner and children, Fawaz feels unrecognized by authorities. "I am in prison," he said.
"I've been in this country for 24 beautiful years and I've never travelled. I was being used.
'Fight for us... but you're not British.'
I fought for them six times as an amateur. I was bleeding in the ring.
They don't view me as important or someone who is trying to make an honest living.
I am a Commonwealth champion who can never take my belt to another country."
Fawaz is on a 10-year route to settlement and will only be eligible to apply for British citizenship at age 43.
This route requires completing a decade of lawful residence before indefinite leave to remain can be granted.
It is unclear why this route applies in his case, as shorter settlement routes exist depending on individual circumstances.
The Home Office declined to comment on individual cases and stated the decision to place Fawaz on the 10-year route was not made by the department.
Hearn criticized the government for denying Fawaz opportunities abroad. "The government are denying him that opportunity, which is so wrong," he said.
"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. How can you not be allowed to travel?"
