Umar Sadiq: “I would take the rematch with Zak Chelli tomorrow”
Returning to action this Saturday is 5-1 (3KOs) prospect Umar Sadiq as he fights for the third time in 2019 against former Central Area middleweight champion Darryl “Razor” Sharp (5-54-1).
Nigerian-born Sadiq turned professional in 2017 when he took on charismatic journeyman Lewis “Poochi” Van Poetsch winning via a shutout points decision. He then went one better in his next fight with Yailton Neves in February 2018 by scoring a first-round knockdown to win 40-35 on points, in a fight which Sadiq describes as the hardest one of his career to date out of all six contests he has been involved in.
“My hardest fight was my second one against Neves, he was a really awkward but after I dropped him he went into survival mode and I tried everything to stop him but ended up trying too hard,” the 31-year-old explained.
“I have learnt a lot from my bouts with the journeymen, they are the backbone of the sport, but I am not one of those fighters who is happy just to build my record up on just fighting journeymen.”
The upcoming bout is Sadiq’s third outing since his sole career defeat to super-middleweight rival and stablemate Zak Chelli in what was a closely-fought contest over eight rounds, and a fight that both men were applauded for taking at such an early stage of their respective careers.
“I took the fight with Zak because I believe I have the beating of him, I am a much better fighter than he is, contrary to the fact I lost that fight,” the Ilford boxer lost 74-77 on points and was floored in the sixth round of the eight-round contest.
“I felt like it was a close fight which a lot of people believe I should have won, but for whatever reason on the night it was just not meant to be,” he shrugged.
“I would take the rematch with Zak tomorrow because I want to show what I should have done in the first fight.”
The bout on Saturday pits Sadiq with experienced and tough journeyman Darryl Sharp, a former Area titlist and 60-fight veteran, but he was not the first choice of opponent for the prospect, who is looking push on in his career, but it is a fight he does not take lightly.
“This fight with Darryl was supposed be against an opponent ranked higher than me,” the Essex puncher revealed.
“I appreciate Darryl taking the fight, what is important is to ensure I keep active in the ring, but I have not come into the professional ranks to keep taking tick over fights
“I take every fight serious and it is quite easy to get chinned if you take your eye off the ball.”
Promoted by Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions, Sadiq wants to be on another big show having fought on bills which have took place at The O2 and Wembley Arena alongside the likes of Anthony Yarde and Nathan Gorman.
The next year in boxing for Sadiq is one that he sees as crucial, having bounced back from the Chelli loss with back to back second-round stoppages, he is looking to push himself straight into title contention and beyond.
“Frank is looking to get me and some of the other lads on a show in the new season, getting the TV exposure is huge for my career and step in the direction of me going on too one day become super-middleweight champion of the world.”
The "Top Boxer" once held a full-time job working as an accountant after graduating in accountancy at London Metropolitan University, but gave up crunching numbers for punching for pay.The accountant-turned-combatant fights this Saturday on the Steve Goodwin promoted show at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.