TULSA, OK – Rarely do you hear of a fighter being punished for a big victory, however it seems that is exactly what happened to lightweight contender Zahir Raheem, who after defeating future Hall of Famer Erik Morales, saw his career be put on hold by his promoter Top Rank..
Despite the stalled career, Raheem is not looking back, only forward, towards making major waves in the lightweight division in 2008. That journey begins on January 4th when he battles tough contender Ricardo Dominquez at the Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa.
“When I signed with Top Rank they made it seem like they were signing me because of my talent and ability,” said Raheem. “However, when the fight with Morales was signed it turned into pre-promotion for Morales-Pacquiao. They weren’t helping me with anything, training, sparring, nothing.”
Despite the lack of help from his promoter, Raheem went out and put on a tremendous display of boxing en route to a unanimous decision victory. Raheem would fight just three times over the next two years.
Raheem’s promotional contract with Top Rank came after a very successful run with promoter Tony Holden, who is promoting the January 4th show.
“Tony has always been in my corner,” said Raheem. “He is a stand-up guy, one of the few in boxing. He is more than a promoter to me. He is seriously one of the few really good guys in boxing.”
In addition to various promotional and managerial squabbles throughout his career, Raheem has also been plagued with the tag of a boring fighter, a moniker which he hopes to lose in 2008.
“I have been in more exciting fights than boring ones,” said Raheem, 28-2, 16 KO’s. “But the key for me is to come in shape. As long as I am in top shape people will see that I am not a boring fighter.”
Raheem aspires to be world lightweight champion in 2008, and doesn’t care who he has to fight to get a belt. First, however, he must get past Ricardo Dominguez, 23-2-2, 15 KO’s on Friday night.
The Raheem-Dominguez bout will be featured as the co-feature on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” series. In the main event, world class super middleweights Allan Green and Rubin Williams collide. The event is being presented by Holden Productions. For ticket information call (918) 699-7777.