Sadam shines in spotlight fight

Brooklyn’s Ali Ready for ‘Bigger and Better Things’ After TKO Win

November 12, 2014 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Brooklyn boxer Sadam Ali knocked Luis Carlos Abregu down twice before finishing him off in the ninth round Saturday night inAtlantic City, N.J. Photos courtesy of Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

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Brooklyn-born-and-bred boxer Sadam Ali has been in the ring since he was eight years old.

So his is not exactly an overnight success story, though it can be argued that the 26-year-old welterweight of Yemeni descent hadn’t truly arrived on the world boxing stage until last Saturday night in Atlantic City, N.J.

Ali stunned Luis Carlos Abregu with a ninth-round technical knockout, remaining unbeaten and announcing his legitimacy as a big-time contender before a national cable audience as the co-feature of the Bernard Hopkins-Sergey Kovalev bout on HBO within the confines of Boardwalk Hall.

“This is what I have wanted for myself, but I knew I had to earn it,” noted Ali after improving to 21-0 with 13 KOs as a professional. “Today I earned it.”

The former U.S. Olympian may have also earned himself a headline slot at the Barclays Center at some point next year, as well as a steady stream of bigger paydays and more notable fights.

If, of course, he can continue to display the style, grit, determination and punching power he showed off against his more experienced Argentine opponent this past weekend.

“Abregu is very strong,” admitted Ali, who floored the battle-hardened boxer in the sixth round with a vicious right hand and finished him off with a flurry in the ninth after landing a devastating left hook. “I had to be aware the whole time. I was prepared.”

Ali’s preparation for a night like the one he enjoyed against Abregu began in earnest the moment he and his father, David, made the decision to sign with Golden Boy Promotions last year.

Prior to that, Ali had to scramble to get the attention he and his local fan base believed he deserved.

He self-promoted under the “World Kid” banner for several bouts before Golden Boy gave him the opportunity to fight before bigger crowds, specifically at Barclays, where he’s gone a perfect 3-0 thus far under his new promotional team.

But Saturday night in Atlantic City was different.

Ali was meeting a 30-year-old ring veteran, who had lost just once in his previous 37 fights.

After circling carefully and moving about the ring for three nondescript rounds, Ali finally began to take charge in the squared circle. He shook off a hard right from Abregu in the fifth, proving his chin could stand up to the punishment, and dropped him in the sixth before dictating the pace thereafter.

In the ninth, after his left hook clearly left Abregu wobbly, Ali went in for the kill, throwing a flurry of punches that left his opponent defenseless, forcing referee Harvey Dock to call it a night just under two minutes into the round.

Abregu, whose only previous defeat came at the hands of welterweight standout Timothy Bradley, insisted he could have fought on despite the steady beating he was taking.

“Ali is a great fighter, but I thought the referee stopped it abruptly,” Abregu said. “I could have continued. His speed is what got to me. He was very fast. I would throw a punch and he would find a way to get out. He was way faster than I thought he would be.”

“I stuck with the game plan,” added an elated Ali. “I was so focused and looked to knock him out, but I knew he could have hurt me if I wasn’t aware.”

Ali’s ring awareness may have awakened the Golden Boy team to the possibility of having a local fan favorite headlining cards in Downtown Brooklyn.

The likes of Paulie Malignaggi, Zab Judah and Danny Jacobs have already demonstrated their drawing power at the state-of-the-art arena.

Now, it’s Ali’s turn to prove he can electrify a Brooklyn crowd as he pursues a major world title bout.

“I am ready to move on to bigger and better things,” Ali said.

Ring Notes: Hopkins made history here in Downtown Brooklyn back in March of 2013 after out-pointing previously unbeaten light-heavyweight champion Tavaris Cloud to become the oldest-ever holder of a significant title at the age of 48. Now just two months shy of turning 50, Hopkins was unable to maintain his championship status Saturday night against Kovalev, who scored a convincing unanimous decision victory en route to unifying three light-heavy crowns. … As the returning hero following his big win, Ali spent Veteran’s Day riding alongside those who served our nation proudly over the years during Tuesday’s NYC Veterans Day Parade, also known as “America’s Parade”. He rode on a float as a guest of the Wounded Warriors Project amidst 1,000 soldiers and half a million spectators. “It’s an honor to be able to pay homage to the great men and women who support our country,” said Ali. “They fight for our freedom and are true champions. I’m thrilled to be included. We can take for granted the veterans who risk their lives to protect the things that make this country so great and I’m happy to be able to give back,” added Ali, who became the first-ever Arab-American to box for Team USA at the 2008 Olympics. … Ali’s win over Abregu was also significant in that it brought together the Top Rank and Golden Boy promotional teams for the first time in a year and a half. The dueling factions had been staging a cold war, not allowing their fighters to meet in the ring, but Ali doubtlessly made his Golden Boy team happy by defeating a Top Rank fighter.