Arab immigrant inspires young Americans
As the crowd chants his name, one could not help but to reminisce of last time an 'Ali' was making headlines in the sport of boxing. The new 'Ali' is only 22 years old, but with his fast punch-combinations; Saddam Ali is flying to success.
"I feel good. And everybody's chanting my name, 'Ali! Ali!' And I don't remember the fights. Life is going by so fast," says Ali with a youthful smile.
Andre Rozier trains Ali and appreciates his determination and youthfulness.
"Saddam is a very gifted athlete and we work very hard in the gym, but he always brings a sense of humor and comedy to everything we do," says Rozier.
The young Yemeni-American is the first Arab to ever represent the United States in the Olympics, and the first American boxer since 1988. He did so as a proud American and a proud Arab.
He reminds the world of glorious days of his namesake Muhammad Ali who became three-time World Heavyweight Champion and widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxers. Originally known as Cassius Clay, Ali changed his name after converting to Islam in 1975.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, to immigrant Muslim parents. Like many other Arab-Americans, Ali grew up in the post 9/11 era where anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments remain high. However, he has not allowed negativity to slow him down. Instead, he wants to show the world that his roots do not handicap him.
"Being Arab-American is different. Some people don't expect someone like me to become something big, and to make it to the Olympics . . . but it really doesn't matter who you are, what you are," says Ali.
Along with much of the Arab and Muslim world, Ali's family's homeland, Yemen, continues to break news with saddened stories of conflict and instability. Even the city he claims, New York, has had unrelenting controversial debates over the equal religious rights of Muslims surrounding building an Islamic Center near the World Trade Center site. Also, hate crimes against Arabs and Muslims in the US has been on a rise in recent years. Nonetheless, Ali represents a ray of hope for all Arabs and Muslims in the West. He fell short of winning the gold medal in the Olympics, but since then he has not looked back.
Weighing in at 147-pounds (66.6 kg) as a professional welterweight boxer, Ali has punched his way to perfection. He stands undefeated with 11 victories and no losses.
Ali attributes much his success to the man that gave him the opportunity when he was just eight years old.
"One day after school, my dad decided to take me to the gym. I loved it and now I'm here," says the boxer.
Growing up, Ali trained at a local Brooklyn boxing gym and his father stood by his side every step of the way and is his acting manager.
"I love my father and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be in the position I'm in right now. It would be so hard," Ali recalls with in a profound voice.
Another man also had a lot to do with Ali's success. He became a fan of boxing and found inspiration from watching the British-Yemeni champion and highly entertaining boxer Prince Naseem Hamid.
Ali started boxing at the age of eight while watching Prince Naseem Hamed. "Every time he fights we'd want to watch it. I'd love to meet him one day," says Ali.
Saddam Ali's success inside the ring has not only benefitted him personally, but also given him the ability to give back to the community
"I love giving back. Because when you give, you receive. That's something I believe in," says Ali.
In August, Ali gave back to the youth in Brooklyn, NY, by starting his own boxing gym and teaching kids to become future boxing stars.
"I have my own gym now where I train very hard. I guess the hard work pays off," says the pride of Brooklyn.
Ali's gym has sparked excitement amongst young adults to children of all ages. Currently, dozens of future stars are learning to box and are getting in shape. Mohammad has been attending Ali's gym for a few months and is now starting to think about his own future in the sport of boxing.
"My nephews look up to Saddam and I look up to him to. He's a real inspiration and now he's got me motivated. He's year. hopefully I go Golden Glove."
Juda is another young member of the gym who has been gaining a lot of inspiration from the future champion.
"Saddam Ali is really a good motivator because when you see him working hard you want to work hard. You want to be just as good as him and. be as accomplished as him."
The response from the youth has made it all worth it for the rising star
"This is the new generation right here. I love these kids. And they're learning fast. They're learning very fast. They live up to me and I got to live up to the hype and I got to show them what a true champion is?
Ali knows that being a true champion takes a lot of responsibility, and he is teaching the youth life lessons thru boxing.
"You don't train hard, you slack, you can fall. It's so hard to get up there, but its easy to fall."
Though he seems humble and responsible for his age, he's also very confident in his ability to keep winning.
"I don't see myself losing. As long as I do what I have to do, the only thing that can beat me is me. The only thing that can beat me is me and God. That's it"
Ali's next fight is tentatively scheduled for March 5th. For Yemen, for all of the Middle East, and for Arab-Americans, Saddam Ali is determined to keep winning.
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