Ra’eese Aleem wants all the champions, especially Murodjon Ahkmadaliev
WBA Interim Super Bantamweight champion Ra’eese “The Beast” Aleem (18-0, 12ko) wants to fight any of the champions, but he really wants unified champion Murodjon “MJ” Ahkmadaliev (8-0, 6ko).
On January 23, Aleem went from prospect to contender after thoroughly dominating undefeated “Vicious” Victor Pasillas (16-1, 9ko) by eleventh-round stoppage. During the post-fight interview, he put the entire division on notice letting the champions know he is coming.
In an interview with 3kingsboxing affiliate Brawlers Sports Media, the newly crowned interim champion talked about his performance and desire to fight for a championship next. Pasillas was doing plenty of trash-talking leading up to the fight, and he was extremely confident in being able to beat Aleem saying.
“I’m coming to knock his ass out.”
The interim champion was very candid when asked to grade his impressive performance.
“Kind of reflecting back, I did a lot of good things, and I did do something I am not happy about. So, I got to tighten up for the next fight, and it’s just about getting better and better. But I do give myself an A. Getting the win, getting the stoppage, yeah I’m giving myself an A.”
Aleem most definitely deserves to give himself a high grade for such a dominant performance. Furthermore, he explained why the trash talking did not concern him at all.
“People can trash-talk all they want. That really goes in one ear and out the other for me. At the end of the day, your trainers can’t save you. The ref can’t save you. When that bell rings, you’re stuck in there with me for twelve rounds.”
Now, looking at the divisional champions, there is hard-punching WBC champion Luis “Pantera” Nery, newly crowned WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton, and unified champion Akhmadaliev, who many boxing enthusiasts consider to be the man of the division. The 30-year-old Michigan native was asked which champion he wants to fight next, and he did not hold back at all in calling out all the champions. He made it clear it’s the unified champion he really wants next.
“As long as it’s a world title fight. I would fight Stephen Fulton, I’d fight Luis Nery, I really want to fight Akhmadaliev. He has the (WBA) Super belt, he has two of the belts, he hasn’t defended his title, I want that fight. I can beat Luis Nery and I can beat Stephen Fulton. I beat Akhmadaliev, I’m that much closer to unifying everything.”
The interim champion’s last comment coincides with his post-fight claims of wanting to capture all the belts in the division. Riding a wave of confidence, The Beast has the unified champion in the crosshairs, and his last fight is an indicator that this could be his time.
By: Garrisson Bland
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