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© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
When I had the opportunity to meet the U.S. Olympic boxing team at a workout session at the famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York, I was thrilled with the opportunity. The chance to meet all of the athletes and have a chance to speak with them was thrilling, but I must admit I was especially excited to get a chance to speak with local favorite Sadam Ali.
New York is probably one of the best places to reside if you are a boxing fan outside of living in Las Vegas, of course. You have big fights in New York City, Atlantic City and even the Connecticut casinos that you can look forward to watching. But, you also have a strong amateur program with the New York Golden Gloves.
Several amateur champions turned into successful professional fighters, such as Emile Griffith, Floyd Patterson, and Sugar Ray Robinson. Other greats include Riddick Bowe, Mark Breland, Gerry Cooney, Joe Mesi, Mike Tyson and current Junior Welterweight Champion, Paulie Malignaggi.
I had the pleasure of watching Sadam Ali two years in a row at the New York Golden Gloves finals at Madison Square Garden , the first year as a spectator and the second year as a journalist. He was always a fan favorite and had a crowd pleasing style.
Several ringside observers often spoke of his potential to be part of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. Having seen him compete throughout his amateur career, it was thrilling to know he had this opportunity in front of him, knowing he had the talent and skill to succeed.
After Ali was announced as part of the U.S. Olympic boxing team in August, 2007, he missed his first opportunity to qualify internationally with a points decision loss to Hrachik Javakhyan at the AIBA World Championships in late 2007. He was able to secure his place on the team internationally by making the finals at the Americas Olympic Qualifier in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Ali was born on September 26, 1988 and hails from Brooklyn, New York. He began boxing at the age of eight in 1996 and is coached by Victor Roundtree and Andre Rozier. He is the first Arab-American boxer to compete in the Olympic Games.
His career highlights include: two-time National Golden Gloves Champion, two-time New York City Golden Gloves Champion, PAL National Champion, U-19 National Champion and Junior Olympic National and World Champion.
When asked what it feels like to be part of the U.S. Olympic boxing team, Ali said, “It’s one of my dreams, making the Olympic team is the most important thing to do as an amateur before turning pro and it feels great. I’m ready to go out there and represent for Brooklyn.”
Ali has spent the last several months at the Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs, working with his team. “The last several months have gone by fast, it’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of thinking. I’m ready to go out there be strong, mentally and physically, and do my thing.”
The Olympic boxers are working with Head Coach Dan Campbell, which Ali takes in stride to expand his boxing education. “It’s been a little different, but I’m carrying on what my coaches taught me to get to where I am right now,” said Ali. “I’m keeping everything with me, I’m just learning more and more.”
While all the Olympic boxers hope to win a Gold Medal, Ali hopes that his journey to get to the Olympics inspires others to meet their own challenges.
“I want everybody in the world to know whatever race you are whatever color you are you it doesn’t matter you can do it,” he said. “I’m the first Arab-American to make it to the USA Olympic team, just know that anybody can do it if you put your heart into it.”
Although Ali is looking forward to a professional career after the Olympics, he has only one immediate goal in his head, “I’m focused on boxing and getting the gold, that’s one of my biggest dreams so the only thing I’m focused on is boxing for the gold.”
It’s been a great experience to watch Ali compete as an amateur and make his way to the Olympic team. When asked to tell the public something about himself that they may not already know, he replied, “I’m a respectful person, I’m a nice guy, and I work hard. I respect all the support and all the love and I just hope it keeps coming like that. You will all see me in the future.”
Watch for the next U.S. Olympic Boxing Spotlight on Bantamweight Gary Russell, Jr.
