The first time I heard the name Sadam Ali it was in fear. And a sort of wide-eyed resignation. I was walking into a weigh-in at the Prudential Center in Newark and had struck up a conversation with a boxer who was entering the doors the same time I was. When I asked him who he was and who he’d be facing he looked at me in disbelief. Slightly skittish, he seemed to not understand how the opponent who now consumed his every thought was not on my mind too. “Sadam Ali,” he said, pausing a moment to look me over again and see if I really was that stupid. “The Olympian,” he added with a stammer and a pained look as he had to hear from his own mouth the shibboleth he’d been trying to avoid. He walked away with his shoulders sagged under the weight of “The World Kid” Ali. Since his three round dismantling of Julius Edmonds on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, Sadam “World Kid” Ali is having trouble finding fights. The 21 year old boxer glides through the ring—fast, fluid and effective— with what can only be described as Promise. Boxing fans talk openly of the beauty of his style.
As an amateur, Ali was PAL National Champion, Under-19 National Champion, two-time New York City Golden Gloves Champion, and two-time National Golden Gloves Champion. The first Arab-American to represent Team USA in the Olympics, he turned professional in January of 2009 and after 8 fights is still undefeated. Half his bouts have ended in knockouts. He is a tall and respectful young man with an easy smile and a look of determination. I caught up with him and one of his four coaches, at Havoc Boxing’s well matched card in Brooklyn’s Aviator Sports Center. He may be the World’s Kid, but his voice is all Brooklyn.
Q: You’re 8 and 0. And in your recent fight on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on the Zab Judah undercard, commentator and boxing trainer Teddy Atlas talked throughout the bout about how smart and versatile a boxer you are—and the right uppercut that knocked Edmonds down in the first round was featured as part of ESPN’s Boxing Highlights for July. Do you think that has something to do with you not being able to find an opponent for tonight?
SA: Yeah. [laughs] If anyone saw that fight that could be why. We just couldn’t get anyone for tonight. It’s always been a little hard, but after doing so well on national television it got harder. Now, to step into the ring with me, opponents want more.
Q: You’re next scheduled to fight on the Adamek vs. Grant undercard at the Prudential Center in Newark on Aug. 21, do you have an opponent for that match yet? Any idea of who you’d like to fight after that?
SA: We’re working on that right now and we’ll definitely have an opponent. It’s going to be a great night of fights with a packed house—and there’s no way we’ll miss that opportunity. As far as who I’d like to fight, anyone my team puts in front of me. I’m ready.
Q: Since turning pro in January of 2009, you’ve weighed in between 141 and 151 pounds. How much weight do you typically gain back after a weigh-in?
SA: Usually around 6 or 7 pounds, but lately a little less. I like to go in hungry. Eat just enough to be strong and fast.
Q: At what weight division are you most comfortable fighting, and in what division do you see your future?
SA: Anywhere between 140 and 147 pounds. I fought once at 151 but that was because the only opponent we could get weighed in at 154, light middleweight. I ate a bunch right before the fight just to put on some weight. I beat him in a unanimous decision, but I’m more comfortable in the 140s. As for which division I’d prefer, I really can’t say. It just really all depends on where the opportunities are.
Q: What are some of the most important things you’ve learned since turning pro? And what do you hope to accomplish in boxing?
SA: Boxing is about hitting and not being hit. Adapting. The boxing greats knew that. I learned a lot in the amateurs, I had over 200 fights. But I also learned a lot going pro, and still have a lot to learn. Pro has twists …. like smaller gloves and no headgear to get in the way. And anything can happen at anytime. I still have to throw a lot of punches. But I’m aware that anything can happen.
Accomplish in boxing? Insha’ Allah [“God willing”], I’m going to be a World Champion, a super star making a lot of people proud. I’m World Kid Ali – I see myself entertaining the world. I want to bring boxing back to the world— back to life.
Q: Some of the all time great boxers were defensive fighters, Benny Leonard, Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali in his early prime, and Willie Pep, who was said to have once won a round without throwing a punch. Who are some of your favorite fighters?
Coach : The Kid can bring life back to boxing. He’s got that—defensive ability—but like those greats you mentioned, he has the ability to switch up. To bring the fight from outside, to move and slip, but also to come forward and throw. Take the fight inside. You have to switch it up—a lot of boxers don’t know that.
SA: My favorite boxers? Muhammad Ali, definitely. Prince Naseem Hamed when I was little— he made me want to start boxing–and to become a World Champion. And Floyd Mayweather—he has everything you need to be a World Champion. He can punch, he has speed. He has heart, he can adapt and he can take a punch– he has a chin.
I have a lot to learn. I have a lot of heart and can change it up. I’m there to hit and not get hit. Not that i’m afraid of being hit. But hitting and not getting hit – that’s smart boxing, that’s the heart of boxing.
Q: You fight as “World Kid Ali.” Your parents are originally from Yemen, you were born in Brooklyn and became the first Arab-American to represent Team USA in the Olympics. What is the significance of the colors of your boxing trunks?
SA: My trunks are red, white and blue and red, white and black, the colors of the American Flag and the colors of the Yemeni Flag. It’s the two countries I represent and it means a lot to me—and for the people who know it’s there, I think it means a lot to them too.
Q: You are said to be a religious young man. How do you balance your religious requirements with your profession?
SA: It’s hard sometimes, but it’s all I’ve ever known. I grew up in a very religious household and I’ve been boxing since I was eight years old. But it’s also a joy and a blessing. God means a lot to me. I pray. And whatever success I’ve had is His.
Q: You recently opened The Sadam Ali Boxing and Fitness Center in Brooklyn, where trainers are offered free of charge to amateurs. Why?
SA: I want to give back to the community as much as I can. I’m happy to be in the position I’m in in life, and when kids come in it’s really a beautiful thing. We have to charge a monthly fee for membership, but a lot of places charge extra money for coaches and trainers. We don’t do that. It’s good for the community and it’s good for boxing.
Coach: Just opening a gym in that neighborhood was good for the community. A lot of kids in Brooklyn come from difficult situations—a lot of boys without fathers and positive role models. Just the streets. But when they come in to the gym, they see all of the Kid’s trophies and medals— and him— working hard doing something with his life—going after his dreams in a positive way— and now they look up to Sadam Ali as role model.
SA: [Laughs] The other great thing about owning a gym is that I can train now anytime I want.
