CRY HAVOC! AHMED HATIM INTERVIEW
“Hatim Rolls the Dice”, read the headline to my report of Ahmed Hatim’s first real step up, when the then 5-0 (1) lightweight outclassed and halted Dan Booth in five rounds two years ago. Last weekend, still undefeated and now a Southern Area champion, Ahmed Hatim rolled the dice once more. He opted to take on former British champion Liam Dillon, who had a lot on the line after losses leaking into his ledger of late.
With so much at stake for Dillon, who had gone the distance in seven title fights previously and with his chin, engine and aggressive style, the fight was a calculated risk. I wondered whether Ahmed had any reservations taking the contest, or if other options were available.
“I say this with all honesty, none of the UK lightweights want to fight me. Not sure why, I’d like to think I’m a nice guy and just want to fight but they don’t want to know. Liam is an ex British champion and that was only my twelfth fight and if it meant I had to take challenges like that to progress my career so early then so be it. I’m in this game to reach the absolute top!”
FULL HATIM vs DILLON CARD REPORT
Dillon had weighed in 4lbs over the 135lb lightweight limit, unprofessionalism Hatim was ready to “punish” him for, and pre fight had promised a “car crash” of styles, “violence and entertainment”. He wasn’t wrong, the twelve rounds were pulsating as Dillon’s all action style marauded forward and Hatim had to adjust.
The fight swung both ways, but once Hatim fully got into his rhythm he turned the screw- cutting, out landing and dare I say hurting the Chingford fighter. The rounds racked up in his favour, but it was a non-stop contest between two men who refused to take a step backwards.
The only person in York Hall who was legitimately confident Hatim had won was the BBBofC official who tallied the Judges’ scores up. I had it seven rounds to five in Ahmed’s favour, but I was also commentating and that lends itself to over examining everything in the ring. Hatim is honest enough to admit he had his fears, “Of course I was nervous, like Marvin Haggler said, I never like to leave the decision to the judges”. Despite the understandable tension, Hatim won via a unanimous decision (115-114, 117-111, 117-111) and is happy with his performance,
“The fight went exactly as I predicted, Liam coming in a hundred miles an hour trying to run me over, but hey I was not letting that happen and I just stuck to the game plan and broke his spirt down round by round.”
Collapsing on the apron at the result, overcome with emotion, I’ve rarely seen a fighter so clearly caught up in the moment as he was. Ahmed looked as if he wasn’t sure where he was, and not because of any punches he’d taken, just joy and relief blasting its way out of every pore. He’s not ready to celebrate just yet, though, “I thought I’d be celebrating so much, going here there and everywhere, but the job is not done yet. I need them belts first.”
Ahmed Hatim has impressed no end with his ambition and willingness to back himself, but he’s also constantly improving as a fighter. Against Liam Dillon even visibly so, round by round. He rolled a five against Dan Booth, two tens at Southern Area and now he's rolling twelves. Cry Havoc, UK lightweights!
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