Billel Dib – “I’m open to giving these guys a loss on their record”

 
WORLD rated super featherweight Billel Dib is looking to make a statement when Australian boxing returns to free-to-air television for the first time in five years on Saturday night.

 
Dib, 25, will open his campaign for the year in a keep busy fight, a non-title six round fight against Indonesian import Erick Diaz Sierra on a GEM televised card from the Allphones Arena in Sydney’s Olympic Park precinct.

 
The seven-fight card will be headlined by controversial multiple code athlete Sonny Bill Williams, who makes his seasonal return to boxing against American journeyman Chauncy Welliver.

 
“I think its a great concept, it’s great to have the general public as well as the NRL fans being involved and exposed to Australian boxing on free-to-air,” said Dib in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing.

 
“Hopefully this can be the start of boxing free to air on a regular basis,”

 
Now holding a WBO #12 world rating at super featherweight, Dib (15-1, 6 KOs) is looking to remain active while he continues to build towards a potential world title eliminator in the next twelve months.

 
Dib fought four times last year and is hopeful that his 2015 campaign will only add to the six-fight unbeaten streak he is currently in the midst of, having won every fight since his avenged loss to Dylan Sendeckyj in 2012.

 
“The plan is to stay patient and keep working my way up the rankings,” Dib explained. “To keep learning in the gym and getting better from fight-to-fight so that when those title shots come, I will grab them with both hands so nobody but God will stop me,”

 
Currently under the guidance of astute boxing trainer Billy Hussein, Dib speaks openly about the abundance of talent training under the one roof in Lakemba. Dib trains alongside former IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib, former Olympians and unbeaten professionals Paul Fleming and Luke Jackson, in addition to a handful of promising professional prospects.

 
“It’s a great atmosphere at Bodypunch Boxing Gym, but it’s more like a big family,” Dib added. “Theres no anomosity in our gym, it’s all love.”

 
“I believe our gym has easily the best featherweights and super featherweights in the country – and when its our time – we plan on holding the Australian flag high on an international level,”

 
Aside from his head trainer Billy Hussein, another figure that plays a prominent role in Dib’s boxing career is his brother Ahmed – who is currently a state titleholder – as well as an aspiring pugilistic prospect.

 
“My brother and I have always been very close since our childhood and have always done everything together,” he continued. “And that has also crossed over with our boxing. We have an unbreakable bond, we push each other constantly and are always there for each other.”

 
As for the stacked super featherweight division, which boasts a heap of talented prospects including Kye MacKenzie, Corey McConnell, Valentine Borg and Nathaniel May, Dib says they can all get their turn, but all in good time.

 
“I’m open to giving these guys a loss on their record, anytime,” Dib added. “My management knows that and they also know what’s best for my career and the goals we are chasing, I dont ever question them.”

 
“They are my management for a reason and I am a fighter. I believe in my talent and I know what im capable of doing and I hope to show you all very soon.”

 
“To be honest – with no disrespect – but I don’t see all the hype in these guys. So like i said, if the fights make sense, I’d gladly beat them up.”

 
 
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz