By Teddy Stenmark

25.04 - Isam Kahlil might be on the verge of a breakthrough as a professional soon and in just a couple fights, the key fight that will elevate his name to World class level can arrive. He has an unbeaten record of 10 wins and two draws and is close friend with his more established Swedish colleague, Paolo Roberto. Within a year or two though, he could knock his friend of the pedestal and steal the position as the nation's best welterweight. Khalil who turns 30 this year is on his way...

Teddy: Hello Isam! When I contacted you about this interview you mentioned that you are in hard, serious training for an upcoming bout, when can we see you in action again?

Isam: I am tentatively booked for a fight on the 10th of May!

Teddy: Whom are you sparring with at the moment?

Isam: I mostly spar with my gym mates, Paolo Roberto and Samuel Kebede.

Teddy: I know that you were a good amateur, how many fights did you have and what clubs did you represent?

Isam: I believe I had 43 fights and I represented Järfälla Box club and BK Rapid.

Teddy: Tell me a little bit about boxing background. Why did you pick boxing as your sport? Have you been fairly good at any other sports?

Isam: Well, I played football (soccer) but I got injured and started training boxing for fun and one thing led to another! That's how I got started.

Teddy: You turned pro in Miami in 1999. Who offered you that pro-contract and why?

Isam: They (The Dundee's) offered me to come and train (possibly to try me out) and they got interested and that was a blessing for me cause I was fed up with amateur boxing and I don't know if I would have continued if this opportunity hadn't occurred.

Teddy: You are known for your superb technique and fast rapid hands and excellent movement, have you ever felt that your technique hasn't been enough in a fight?

Isam: Not in a fight, I know that the road to success is filled with danger so therefore I always try to improve and better my skills to reach my goal!

Teddy: Who is the toughest boxer you have come across so far as a professional?

Isam: I have respect for all my opponents but I have to say that I haven't met that fighter yet...

Teddy: I know that you spar a lot with your stable-mate, Paolo Roberto. How is he to spar with?

Isam: He is really good; we help each other both inside and outside the gym..

Teddy: Which one of the top welterweights of today would you "just die" to fight?

Isam: I have no idea, When that fight comes I will be there, ready!

Teddy: Are you born and raised in Sweden? What's the background (nationality) of your parents? Has you dad boxed?

Isam: I am born in Sweden and my parents are from Palestine, My dad has never been involved in boxing.

Teddy: Is it possible for you to make a living on your boxing career or do you have another job on the side?

Isam: Boxing is the main thing in my life but I also work with troubled kids that need guidance in life

Teddy: Do you have (or have had) a role model within boxing throughout your career?

Isam: You can never copy any ones style but I have my favourites that I enjoy watching, like; Prince Naseem Hamed, Roy Jones and Oscar De La Hoya to mention a few!

Teddy: Is there a cool story about Isam Kahlil that you could share with the readers?

Isam: Yes there probably a few but no one I can recall at the moment!

Teddy: When I interviewed your stable mate, Ahmed Kaddour he told me that you and him are pretty good friends. What makes you such good pals?

Isam: He is a good guy. It's just as simple as that!

Teddy: Who are your closest friends except of Kaddour?

Isam: Paolo Roberto, George Scott, Milan Mircovic, Zoltan Sarossy and Thomas Jansson!

Teddy: What are your hobbies when you are not boxing?

Isam: Well the boxing demands almost all spare time but I enjoy going to the movies and hanging with my friends!

Teddy: You will turn 30 in November, how many good years do you believe you have left in boxing? Do you feel any pressure to advance quickly now in order to reach your goals?

Isam: I think I have another four good years ahead of me and No! I don't feel any stress; I take care of my body so it will have to take the time necessary.

Teddy: What are your goals and ambitions?

Isam: I always take one fight at the time but naturally in the long run I want to go all the way!

Teddy: Do you have any unorthodox training methods that you can call your own and that works for you? How often do you run (roadwork)? And how long are you runs approximately?

Isam: Something that works for me is finding my rhythm in every training session, I always work out to music, good music, Latino music, and I do a lot of dancing and boxing together. I have a strict routine when it comes to roadwork, Monday until Friday, everyday, the distances varies from day to day.

Teddy: You haven't boxed beyond the six round distance! Have Steffen Tangstad and the people behind Modern Sports & Events told you anything about increasing the rounds and get you up in a high calibre fight soon? It seems to be about time, you are after all undefeated in twelve fights now.

Isam: Of course it lies in their interest to have me advancing, naturally a fight of magnitude will arrive further ahead, and I am sure that the number of rounds will increase pretty soon!

Teddy: You have the former Swedish National team coach as a trainer. What's the best with having him in your corner?

Isam: He is super to have in the corner, always keeps you calm and knows what to say.

Teddy: You are a pretty muscular guy for a welterweight, do you work a lot with weights?

Isam: I used to do it before, but now I just work with weights after fights. I still train hard and physically though, but I mostly leave out the weights.

Teddy: Describe an ordinary training day in the life of Isam Kahlil...

Isam: I get up early in the morning, around 6:30 to run, after that I work out with an exercise-session, gets some rest, and then at 13:00 I go to the gym to train regular boxing. The weekend (Saturday, Sunday) I reload my batteries for next weeks training. That's how it goes I guess, Week after week..

Teddy: Are you careful with what you eat to get maximum effect out of your training? Do you plan such things or are you not interested of it at all?

Isam: I eat nutrition pills (legal ones, of course) before every training session but I love to eat so the really carefully eating part is only in effect when I am in really serious training to get my weight in order.

Teddy: what's the best part with being a professional fighter?

Isam: To be able to do what I love to do and get paid for it, it's what I always dreamt of!

Teddy: Which pro victory are you most proud of so far!

Isam: It hasn't arrived yet!

Teddy: There are a few Swedish amateurs that have taken off, more or less on their own to launch a pro career, like Manjie Conteh (our latest pro export) for instance! What's your opinion? about that?

Isam: I can understand them completely, pro boxing isn't allowed here..So what are the options? You do what's necessary in order to fulfil your dreams in another country. It's natural.

Teddy: Finally Isam, give the reasons a few good reasons to why you will succeed as a professional.

Isam: I am focused on what I do and I believe in my self. I do what it takes, what ever training is necessary to do, I do it. I have a burning desire to make it and I will do anything to reach my goal!

Teddy: I will take your word for it Isam! Good luck with your career and thanks for granting me this interview!

Isam: No problems at all!