Billel Dib talks signing with Probox, potential US debut on PBC

 
BILLEL Dib’s ambition to earn a major fight abroad has been met by signing with Probox Management.

 
Dib has joined the managerial roster of Florida-based duo Garry Jonas and Henry Rivalta, who boast an impressive list of world champions, former titleholders and several talented emerging prospects based in North America.

 
In an interview with Aus-Boxing, Dib (18-1, 9 KOs) explains his reasoning behind the move.

 
“Over the last six months I’ve been in negotiations with a few different promotors over in the US,” said Dib.

 
“I was close to signing a deal with one major promoter late last year,” added Dib. “However, I pulled the plug on it as I just didn’t feel it would be the right move for me and bigger opportunities would come,”

 
“The Sunday following my last fight (a win over Sayan Sirimongokhon), I got a call whereby I was told that an American management team was interested in signing me and wanted to fly me to the States,”

 
“At first I was reluctant because I wanted a promoter as such – rather than a management team – until I realised who they are. Anyone who knows the insides of boxing know who Henry Rivalta and Garry Jonas are,”

 
Dib found himself in the US last month, which amongst many things, saw the 26-year-old as a guest at a Premier Boxing Champions card at the Staples Center in California, headlined by Danny Garcia and Robert Guerrero.

 
Along the way, the world-rated super featherweight met and later signed with his soon-to-be new management team. When asked about his new stablemates, it was clear that a well-schooled Dib had done his research.

 
“They have been around for a long time and were the CEO and COO of Mike Tyson Promotions,” said Dib of both Jones and Rivalta. “Until recently, they joined forces with Al Haymon, whom which they work hand-in-hand,”

 
“Probox Management have multiple world champions and many hot prospects, so to look over what they have done with their fighters and to what they have discussed for me, it’s clear they do what they say they can.”

 
“They also have great relationships with other networks so it was definitely a no brainer to sign with them,”

 
Probox Management’s stable includes reigning WBA/IBO champion Juan Carlos Payano, former titleholder Argenis Mendez, 2008 Olympic gold medallist Felix Diaz and undefeated welterweight contender Sammy Vazquez Jr.

 
Presently, the Probox Management holds the managerial reigns of at least nineteen other fighters.

 
With the move now secured, Dib is hopeful the upward trajectory will lead to an eventual title eliminator and several key fights in the US under the banner of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions.

 
“It definitely moves my career in a great direction,” elaborated Dib.

 
“It’s very difficult to get anywhere when you have no major backing from the States. We are looking at three or four more fights and then getting a title shot,”

 
“My job is to train hard, stay committed and great things will happen,”

 
“I believe in my ability and I know what I am capable of.”

 
While Dib is eager to land a spot on the aforementioned Premier Boxing Champions series, the benefit of the Gold Coast resident signing with a management company is that he is not restricted to any one promoter.

 
“I’ll still be a free agent in terms of promotional status and we’re free to work with whoever suits,” he noted.

 
“However, we’re working with Al Haymon at the moment, hence the reason we are looking at a PBC date in April.”

 
“It’s a great opportunity for me to catapult my career to new heights,”

 
With only two of Dib’s last six fights featuring on live television, he admits that the move abroad was inevitable as he continues to seek the higher-profile fights that should accompany a world rating.

 
“Things just were not going the way I wanted in Australia,” he concluded. “I have big dreams and I am an ambitious person – I aim for the stars – so I was always looking for big opportunities,”

 
“It will be massive for me to be on PBC,”

 
“They have many of the best fighters in the world and I’ll be glad to be apart of it,”

 
 
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images