Undefeated light heavyweight sensation from Zaporozhye, Ukraine, Ismayl Sillakh moved to United States in 2008 to chase an American dream.
?I came to United States, because I think here is more true,? said Sillakh in his much improved broken English ,when I interviewed him on Monday after training at 360 Club in Reseda, California:? If you want to be a champion you can be a true champion here, because it?s less political like in Germany and less about money? But I see now its more money. Money beats everything. It?s terrible, because boxers like me, young boxers, a lot of other boxers who want to fight, who can fight, we just sit and wait while old men, old champions keep the belts and do nothing.?
After a decorated international amateur career with a record of 302-16, Sillakh decided to turn professional and relocated to Southern California to practice his craft under the guidance of well respected trainer, Shadeed Suluki.
?He is a pleasure to work with,? said Suluki about his prized pupil:? Because he listens and I don?t have to push him. He is eight pounds above his fighting weight now without a fight. I have to hold him down and make sure he does not over train.?
Even though pundits in Southern California are well aware of the skills of Ismayl, his break out performance took place last year in March when he dominated former Olympian from Cuba, Yordanis Despaigne. The fight was televised on ESPN Friday Night Fights and gave the chance to American fight fans to get to know Ismayl Sillakh. Yet no one is knocking on the door of twenty six year old prospect.
?WBC made a mandatory eliminator fight, me and Jean Pascal? said Sillakh who along with his trainer and manager went to Las Vegas to WBC convention last December to plead his case for a shot at a title:? I don?t know why Jean Pascal doesn?t want to fight me. He said that I am not in his league and I don?t deserve to fight him. Who is he? This is Jean Pascal. Come on! He is a Canadian guy who fights only in Canada. He is not a super champion who can fight wherever he wants. If WBC says you have to fight, you must fight.?
Unfortunately team Pascal declined to fight Sillakh. Calling out Jean Pascal is a daring proposition that requires a great deal of confidence on the side of the young prospect from Ukraine. Pascal is young and strong with power in both hands. I asked Ismayl what he thought about that.
?I am fast. I am young, I?m strong. I?m much faster,? replied Sillakh(17-0,14KO?S):? I got a lot of experience. I got eighteen years in the game. I think Jean Pascal is ok to fight with me because he is a fighter. He knows boxing. He has pretty good amateur experience. May be as a boxer he wants to fight me, but as a business man or his promoter; they don?t want to fight because it?s dangerous. I?ll knock him out. He knows it. I?ll knock him out. I?ll stop him.?
But with Jean Pascal out of the picture what other options does Ismayl have?
?I?ll fight Bernard Hopkins, I?ll fight Chad Dawson,? Sillakh said:? I am not going to say Chad Dawson is scared of me. He is a champion. He is a good boxer, but his promoter Gary Shaw doesn?t want to fight me. I don?t know why, because now boxing needs good events, good fights. We need to beat UFC, because there are no good fights now. Even Mayweather and Pacquiao don?t want to fight each other because of business or money. People want fights, real events, so I would like to give it to them.?
Ismayl Sillakh did not go home for Christmas; he trained through holidays so that he could be ready, just in case he gets a call. He wants the world to know that he is here and he is a force to be reckoned with in a light heavyweight division.
?This year, I think I am going to be a champion,? said Sillakh:? I think if everything is alright, if promoters are not scared of me and let their fighters fight with me, I will be a champion. I am ready. I am at my peak. So I train every day. I am at top condition. So, whatever you want call me, call my manager and we fight.?
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