"He's tough and very strong and hungry. I'm in his way, but really he's actually in my way at the same time and it's going to be a great fight. He's trying to knock me off, but I'm not going to go anywhere...I just gotta be smart. Boxing isn't just about punching; it's about being intelligent in the ring and using your mind and that's how I plan on doing it," stated undefeated welterweight contender Sadam Ali, who talked about his upcoming clash with Luis Carlos Abregu on the November 8 Hopkins vs. Kovalev undercard. Check it out!
PC: Your last fight was a tough fought split decision win over Jeremy Bryan. How did you feel about that fight?
SA: Physically, I didn't feel good at all. I wasn't able to do what I wanted to do, but it was a good learning experience.
PC: The fight before the Bryan fight, you blew right threw Michael Clark and then you had a good struggle in front of you with Bryan. In two fights, you had two completely different fights. At this point in your career, are you just taking away little things from each fight and trying to grow from them?
SA: Yeah, definitely. There are a lot of different styles out there, so I gotta have that in me. I gotta gain all the experience that comes with these fights, and being in the amateurs and gaining that experience helped me as well. I was fighting guys all over the world and they all had different styles. But in a pro fight, you don't know what you're gonna get, so you gotta be prepared for everything.
PC: What are your thoughts on Luis Carlos Abregu as an opponent?
SA: He's tough and very strong and hungry. I'm in his way, but really he's actually in my way at the same time and it's going to be a great fight. He's trying to knock me off, but I'm not going to go anywhere.
PC: How does it feel to be on another card with the great Bernard Hopkins and now having the HBO exposure as well?
SA: It's great, it's great; beautiful. I'm very excited to be on his undercard. It's always great, and being on HBO is awesome.
PC: He's on a 7-fight winning streak right now. How do you slow down his momentum and put him in the L column?
SA: I just gotta be smart. Boxing isn't just about punching; it's about being intelligent in the ring and using your mind and that's how I plan on doing it.
PC: His only loss is to Timothy Bradley. You obviously have a totally different style from Bradley and your physical stature is different. Can you take anything away from what Bradley was able to do to him?
SA: Nah, I won't be able to take anything away from what Bradley was able to do. I've seen a few of his fights, but I'm not really studying the fights. I know what he comes with. He's got tremendous power, so there really isn't a lot you can study with him. I just have to be aware of it.
PC: Can you compare anybody you have fought as a pro to Abregu to this point or is this the first time you felt you've fought someone like him?
SA: This is probably the first time I've fought someone like him, but I've sparred fighters like him before and I have fought people like that in the amateurs. But as a professional, no, but there is always a time where it comes down to that and that time is now.
PC: This will be your third fight of the year. Are you good with fighting three times this year or would you have liked to fight a little more often?
SA: I'm good with the way it is right now. It depends on what fights I'm taking.
PC: In most eyes, you are taking a huge step up in competition. Do you feel that way or is this just another opponent and another fight in your eyes?
SA: It's definitely a big step up, but everybody does have to step up eventually. This is a tough one, but this will really make me prove myself, so I'm not mad about it.
PC: Do you feel this has been a proficient camp for you?
SA: Training has been going good. I'm getting better and better. My weight is perfect. I'm making weight easily at the time. I'm starting to figure it out.
PC: I wish you the best of luck. I look forward to the fight. Is there anything else you wanna add before I let you go?
SA: Thank you and it's my pleasure.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]