Head past the Mall of the Emirates, out through to Al Quoz, then up into Round 10 Boxing gym and sitting at the back of the ring is where the main man will be found, black jacket on and shoulders as wide as Sheikh Zayed Road wearing the face of a champion.
It’s a good time to be talking to Dubai-resident Aliu Bamidele Lasisi as he defends his WBC International super-flyweight title at The Rotunda Caesars Palace Bluewaters this weekend and he looks primed for battle. Unbeaten in his last 14 fights, Lasisi is steadily pushing his way towards the pinnacle of his division.
He had a dream many years ago. He wanted to be a champion. In Lagos, Nigeria, in a city of 21 million people it can be difficult for that to be a reality. A lack of opportunities. Boxing not being big in the country. All factors that pushed him to make a move away.
He looked at America and Europe but the opportunity didn’t come. He spent time in Ghana for a while. The training was great. The organisation of his schedule was wonderful. He had bigger dreams though. Encouraged by his coach at the time, he looked into Dubai. The next path on his goal of being the best.
It was September 2014. He sent an email to Round 10 Boxing, inquiring about a job to help balance his training. There was a vacant cleaning position. He took it. Some money to keep him going while he chased his dream in the ring.
“Everything comes with determination. I did the cleaning and some boxing when I first moved over. As a man, you have to do something to make some money to put yourself in the right direction. When you believe in God and believe in yourself, with whatever you have, you can survive on it,” the 29-year-old tells Sport360.
“I came to the gym early in the morning to do 90 minutes of training before work. The work was fine. Then in the evening after work, I did some six-round bags and some skipping ropes. After that, I felt fine. Not tired but I felt good.”
The hours were long but he didn’t complain. He trained hard. Ate well and felt sharp. Always waiting. Waiting for that opportunity to prove himself. After years of navigating his way on the amateur circuit, his breakthrough moment arrived in 2015.
He looks back now. There was hubris in the air for his first professional fight, a first-round knockout against Teepakorn Kongyoi at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. The bright lights and bustling crowds failing to weigh down his piercing confidence.
He went out fast and his opponent could not keep up with his ferocity. Bang. Bang. Two quick right hands and Kongyoi hits the deck. The referee raises Lasisi’s arm. Winner by KO.
“I’d been an amateur for a long time. As a boxer I always believed I could be a professional. In my first fight, I knocked the guy out in the first round. I believe nobody can stop me at the moment with the way I am fighting,” he said.
During his amateur days, ‘Lucky Boy’ was confident he would conquer Africa in his weight category and qualify for the Olympics back in 2008. However, one defeat in the quarter-finals of the Algiers All Africa Games and all hope, maybe even luck as well, was lost with the pugilist left devastated. It was after that defeat that he realised the best thing to do was turn professional.
Lasisi never deserted his dream. He kept working hard in the gym through those good and bad days, dreaming of that day people would cheer his name and he would raise his arms aloft with the belt.
He went on to win 10 more fights, each display better than the last. The opportunity for a title fight finally came on his 12th professional outing in December 2018. The vacant World Boxing Council International Silver Super Flyweight Title. Up against Mchanja Bakari, a tenacious Tanzanian.
It was a packed-out stadium in Accra, Ghana. The fifth fight on an eight-fight card. It was a tough battle fought out in a balmy stadium. Few things went his way. Few things didn’t. He edged it on a decision. The dream continued.
“I want to be a world champion. I want to be number one in the world in what I’m doing. I’m working hard. It’s not that easy. When you’re working, training, training. It’s not easy. When you believe in yourself and God, I believe everything can be perfect,” he said.
Perhaps he was born for this. Perhaps he was bred to this level of ruthlessness. He was reared just outside Lagos, in a suburb called Ijora Badia, and growing up he was the tough guy none of his friends dared mess with. He dabbled at football, tennis and athletics, but boxing had already gripped him after watching his friend Kehinde fighting at the National Stadium. It was then his dream was first imagined.
“It comes from fate and believing what you are doing now you can survive on it. Just focus on your career and look forward. Coming from Nigeria, I had motivation that I would do it,” he said.
At 29 years old, Lasisi is in his physical prime and the dangle of a world title belt remains in his eyesight. Ranked 14th in the world by the WBA and another victory will embolden his claim for a shot at a major belt one day.
His next contest is against Norbelto Jimenez on Friday. A Dominican Republic fighter boasting a decent 29-9-4 record. Every challenger wants to win his belt. It gives him fresh motivation. Makes him work harder. Makes him believe in himself more.
He considers the pressure of being a belt holder, admitting it’s in God’s hands where his future lies. All he can do is his best. Train hard and give it everything in the ring come fight night.
“We’ve been training now over three months. I’m very happy and can’t wait to get into the ring. Everyone believes in me and I am working hard. It’s not pressure. I’m training hard to be a world champion. It will be an amazing night and I can’t wait,” he said.
“I believe I’ll be 15 wins in a row. The future is only going to know me. I’m going to keep working hard. It’s in God’s hands. He has a plan for us.”
Story By: Niall McCague
