BROOKLYN (Jan. 27, 2010) – The road to boxing stardom for 21-year-old Sadam “World Kid” Ali, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, is being patiently paved and continues February 6 in Newark, New Jersey. “I’m a promotional free agent taking fights one by one,” Ali explained the route he’s taking. “We’re doing it this way to show people I’m a boxer worth investing money in. I’ll probably have a lot of fights before I sign with a promoter. I’m only 21 and in no rush..”
Ali (4-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn, was a celebrated U.S. amateur boxer, starting when he was only nine, who became the first Arab-American member of the U.S. Olympic Team, as well as the first New York City based member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team in 20 years. He also was a 3-time PAL National and 2-time National Golden Gloves champion.
Last year, Sadam turned pro January 18, stopping Ricky Thompson in the opening round. He went on to win all four 2009 fights, the last coming Oct. 31 at Mohegan Sun, which ended in a 4-round decision versus Osvaldo Rivera.
Ali is matched against fellow Brooklyn welterweight Jason Thompson (4-0, 2 KOs) in a 4-round bout on the Feb. 6 “Heavy Artillery” card, headlined by Tomasz Adamek and Jason Estrada, at the Prudential Center in Newark.
“I know Jason Thompson and I’ll be ready for whatever he brings,” Ali said. “He has experience from the amateurs, fighting top guys like Danny Jacobs and Joe Greene. A lot of people will be at this fight, especially Polish fans there for Adamek, but a lot of my fans will be there, too. I have to shine; I know it’s going to be crazy. It’s just the beginning for me.
“It’s cool fighting on the same show with guys I know like (Jason) Estrada and ‘Kid Chocolate’ (Peter Quillin). I feel more comfortable than if I were fighting where I didn’t know anybody, but it’s just going to be me and Jason Thompson in the ring. Nobody’s going to help us and I just have to stay focused. I’m hard to figure out in the ring because I don’t fight one way. How I fight depends on my opponent and I figure out my best opportunity to win in the first 30 seconds. I can stand and punch, or move around and bust-up my opponent. I do it all! The key to my success is making good adjustments during the fight. ”
Ali’s head trainer, Andre Rozier, added, “Thompson is a durable opponent. Sadam hasn’t had any walk-in-the-park fights since he turned pro and Jason’s a tough nugget. We know that because he used to train in our gym. He’s a real competitor who will bring intensity into the ring like he always does. Sadam has worked hard for this fight and I expect him to excel and shine. Whether he wins by knockout or decision, he will put on a fantastic performance.”
Ali’s Olympian experience jump-started his pro career, which is still in its infancy, yet, he’s already showcased his tremendous potential. “Being an Olympian – the first New Yorker since 1988 on the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team and first Arab-American ever on the U.S. Olympic Team – has been a big boost,” Sadam concluded. “I gained valuable experience fighting all over the world against all types of guys.”
“Sadam has very fast hands and nimble footwork,” Rozier broke-down his fighter. “He is a real character – he can be standing in front of you and then he’s behind you. Sadam is his own entity, not like any other fighter. He does it his way – box on his toes, or tighten-up his defense and slug. He’s still a baby but he will be world champion, I’m sure of that. He has the ability to be great but that will all be up to him.”
The long journey has just begun for “World Kid,” unbeaten prospect Sadam Ali, a name to remember for the future.
Fight Night Returns! World Class Boxing at Remington Park Casino
7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2010
Main Event and other fight updates including special award to legendary heavyweight James “Quick” Tillis –see below):
World Ranked Eric “Danger” Fields’ (13-1, 11 KOs) opponent has just been named as Eddie “The Iron Man” Gutierrez (15-8, 6 KOs), from Oakland, California. Gutierrez recently fought and lost a 10 round decision to NABF Cruiserweight Champion Matt Godfrey (20-1, 10 KOs), who is fighting for the IBF Cruiserweight World Title next month. Should Godfrey win, catBOX is working on a Fields versus Godfrey world title fight. The Fields/Gutierrez fight will be an exciting one, as Gutierrez has fought many great fighters, including David Tua. Fields, from Ardmore Oklahoma, is a two time National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champ.
The Co-Main Event features undefeated knockout king Oklahoma Lightweight Champ Noah Zuhdi (9-0, 9 KOs) against rough and rugged Reymundo Hernandez (5-7, 5 KOs) of Atchison, Kansas. Zuhdi is seeking to increase his wins to the double digits as he pursues his goal to become world champ. Zuhdi and Hernandez have one common opponent, Robert Flaherty, who they both defeated.
More exciting boxing action is also scheduled with middleweight Kyle Sherman (10-2, 6 KOs), Capital Hill, OKC, who will be fighting in a four round bout. Sherman’s aggressive style is always a crowd pleaser. Sherman’s opponent is TBA.
Heavyweight Ron “the Iceman” Aubrey (7-2, 7 KOs), the popular former OKC Blazer’s hockey enforcer, has been making a name for himself as the New King of the Four Rounders with his entertaining and exciting fights. Aubrey, weighing in at 280 pounds, has 7 wins, all by knockout. Aubrey’s opponent in the contest is Michael Hamilton (3-5) from Tyler,Texas.
In another four round heavyweight bout, exciting and very tough Zackary McMillen will be facing Josh Stonebraker.
Rounding out the card is light heavyweight Travis Hoffman. Travis was the International Skateboarding Association World Champion and now is pursuing a career in the violent but beautiful sport of professional boxing. Hoffman’s opponent is TBA.
Tickets, priced at:
$65.00 (PLATINUM TABLE SEATING)
$35.00 (RESERVED) and
$25.00 (GENERAL ADMISSION)
are available for purchase at www.tix.com or by phone at 800.595.4849.
Come to the fights for a unique Valentine’s treat just 3 days before Valentine’s Day and look forward to a boxing event loaded with exciting boxing action! Back by popular demand are the catBOX ring girls, doing the catBOX strut with catBOX t-shirt giveaways, and the National Anthem being sung by acclaimed recording artist Darla Z. Hear Darla Z sing before she makes her fourth appearance in concert at Sam’s Town Casino in Las Vegas on February 25, 2009.
February 11, 2010, expect great fights with exceptional boxing talent, lots of fun, music and a supercharged atmosphere you will only find at a catBOX Entertainment production.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! CHARGE BY PHONE: (800) 595-4849
Oheka Castle Premiere Charity Boxing Event !
(January 27, 2010)— To celebrate of the announcement of famed trainer Lou Duva of the upcoming biopic, Ring Promotions along with sponsor Bang Productions, Inc. and “Vicious” Vivian Harris are putting together a star-studded boxing event to be held at the Oheka Castle on Long Island on February 19, 2010.
The main event of the fight card cleverly dubbed “Hassle at the Castle,” will showcase female boxer Maureen Shea as well as 5 other bouts featuring young upcoming local talent. A portion of the proceedes of this charitable event will benefit the Elenas Melius Foundation and Haiti Earthquake Victims.
To kick off this premier event all ticketed guests will be treated to a “meet & greet” cocktail hour with several former boxing icons. Scheduled to appear are Gerry Cooney, Emile Griffith, Mark Breland, Bert Sugar, and Larry Holmes.
This will be the first boxing event ever held at the world famous Oheka Castle which is noted for being the location for such films and TV shows as Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane,” “What Happens in Vegas,” and the current USA network series “Royal Pains.” It was also recently the site of pop star Kevin Jonas’ wedding to Danielle Deleasa.
Complete card details will be announced shortly.
Tickets include an open bar & food which will be served throughout the night. Limited seating is available. General ticket price $350, VIP ticket price $500. Doors open 6:30 PM.
To purchase tickets, please visit www.ringsidenow.com