Sadam Ali Wants to Stay at 154 Pounds, Defend WBO Title Next

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sadam Ali still can make the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.

The newly crowned WBO super welterweight champion recognizes, however, that he has much more business leverage at 154 pounds. That’s why Brooklyn’s Ali figures to defend that title in his next fight, rather than going back down to welterweight, the division within which he has competed for most of his career.

“Personally, I felt strong at 54,” Ali told BS.com. “I felt really good in there. I have the world title, so I don’t see why I should go back down.”

Vvarious 154-pounders, including former IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (36-2, 25 KOs) and WBC super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo (30-0, 15 KOs), have called out Ali.

“Of course they’re gonna wanna call me out now,” Ali said. “They see that I’m just coming up to the weight class. They see that I have the world title. They might think that they have the chance to easily beat me, which they would be wrong. But I don’t blame anybody that’s interested in fighting me, just like I was interested in fighting Cotto. It was for a world title, against a legend. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Some people are looking at [fighting me] like it’s for a world title. Why wouldn’t they try to call me out or make the fight happen? They would like that.”

Ali would welcome the chance to box Brook if Brook wins his March 3 fight against Belarus’ Siarhei Rabchanka (29-2, 22 KOs) in Sheffield, England, Brook’s hometown.

“That would be a great fight,” Ali said. “But that’s also something I would leave with Golden Boy [Promotions]. I don’t know, honestly, who I’ll be fighting. I’m really aiming big. A lot of people might think, ‘Oh, Sadam won’t be ready. He won’t be able to handle it.’ But I’m talking bigger fights, guys like Pacquiao, Canelo. I like big challenges and like I said, I fear nothing but God. It would be amazing to have a huge fight like that, and I feel like I would do fine.”

[boxing_rocks]

Of course he should stay and sell his title for a good price.

[armageto]

He needs to get an opponent or two to come up to 154 to defend against. Or face a lower level guy or two, then cash out. I don't think he holds well against true, legit 154 pound fighters.

[gilgamesh]

Guys that pull off upsets they weren't expected to win often have challengers coming out of the woodwork.

Sadam Ali
Jeff Horn
and Caleb Truax are probably some of the most sought after opponents in the sport right now.

They're seen as soft Champions, and I would think every big name fighter in their weight class or...hell even the weight class below them wants a piece of them.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I don't think he'll be allowed to fight a voluntary. Unless Golden Boy can sort something out with the WBO..

Dennis Hogan
John Vera
Jimmy" Kilrain" Kelly
Nathaniel Gallimore
Ricardo Ruben Villalba
Sebastian Formella

Some of the names in the WBO top 15.. Not at all big money fights. But who knows.

[gilgamesh]

I don't think he'll be allowed to fight a voluntary. Unless Golden Boy can sort something out with the WBO..

Dennis Hogan
John Vera
Jimmy" Kilrain" Kelly
Nathaniel Gallimore
Ricardo Ruben Villalba
Sebastian Formella

Some of the names in the WBO top 15.. Not at all big money fights. But who knows.

I'm not familiar with 3 of those guys. I'd favor Ali to beat Hogan or Kelly, not sure about Gallimore.

[klitoris]

Ali should fight Vargas in a rematch. That would be an appropriate measuring stick. If Ali can confidently avenge that loss with a convincing win, then we can see him as a legit 154 pounder. Otherwise he has some difficult potential mandatories like Kurbanov, Islam and Smith. If the money is right, mught not be a bad idea to go to the UK and fight liam smith.

[Enlightened-One]

Sadam Ali vs. Kell Brook early 2018?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sadam Ali vs. Kell Brook early 2018?

How early? Brooks fighting Rabchenko in March. Assuming Wârren will push the WBO to order Ali-Smith..

Who knows

[Enlightened-One]

Sadam Ali vs. Kell Brook early 2018?

How early? Brooks fighting Rabchenko in March. Assuming Wârren will push the WBO to order Ali-Smith..

Who knows

I think you've probably described the most likely scenario (i.e. Ali-Smith next), but I can imagine Eddie Hearn considering Ali as low hanging fruit for Kell Brook.