These are exciting times for Arash Usmanee.
The former Red Deer Boxing Club standout and five-time Canadian amateur champion won the North American Boxing Association super featherweight title Dec. 6 at the Montreal Bell Centre.
Now he’s back in Red Deer to spend Christmas with his family, his championship belt in tow.
“It’s been amazing. My life has really started to change the past little while,” said Usmanee, who improved to 10-0 as a professional with his NABA unanimous decision championship win over Pedro Navarette.
“Boxing is a hard business and making a living at it is another thing, but yeah, I’m on my way. I’m doing OK. I have a great team behind me.”
Usmanee lives and trains in Montreal, where his manager — Dougey Berneshe — also resides. The eastern metropolis is also home to GYM — Group Yvon Michel — the promotion company with which Usmanee has a five-fight contract.
“My manager is great, he works so hard and has high goals for me,” said Usmanee, who will continue his rise to prominence with a Feb. 11 bout at the Bell Centre against an opponent yet to be named.
Usmanee resides in Montreal for a reason.
“I’m pretty much right in what you would call the mecca of boxing, not just in Canada but in the world,” he said. “Montreal, and Quebec in general, are recognized in boxing throughout the world.
“I love fighting in Alberta, the fans here are great. But the promoting . . . I can’t afford to fight for $50 a round.”
As a displaced Albertan, Usmanee is living his dream.
“I am, but nothing is easy in life, and some (accomplishments) are harder (to accomplish) than others,” he said. “It takes a lot more than just me training my butt off or being talented. As a professional, I need a great team and it’s paid off. I went (to Montreal) and within six months I got a huge title with a great team behind me. I could have been in Alberta for maybe 10 years or all of my career and I wouldn’t have got something like that.”
The Red Deer product is now ranked 14th in the world in the 130-pound weight class and, like his manager, has set his sights high.
“The doors are opening for me. I’m 28 now but I feel like I’m a late bloomer, so my prime still might be a year or two ahead,” said Usmanee, who will begin his journey — by car — back to Montreal on Monday.
“We’re thinking huge things right now. When I’m ready, hopefully within a year, I’ll fight for a world title and I’ll bring the belt back to Red Deer”