It is five years since the globe-trotting Alex Dilmaghani returned to Britain and lit up television screens with successive wars.
He first had to settle for a draw after an outstanding fight with Francisco Fonseca. The following year he was stopped in the final round of a grueling fight of the year contender with the European junior lightweight champion Samir Ziani. Dilmaghani was leading on the cards after 11 rounds.
Despite the results, Dilmaghani’s exciting style should have secured his future at title level, but while those fights were screened terrestrially by Channel 5, he has since found it impossible to get into the ring with any of Britain’s best.
There have been late withdrawals, illness and maybe worst of all, periods of inactivity.
Dilmaghani’s only in-ring action has been off-radar fights in Denmark and France.
Throughout it all he has continued to clock in for work. Day in, day out, he turned up at the gym where he would train and spar. He would grind out the dreaded hill sprints and long runs without any definite reward waiting for him at the finish line.
Thankfully, the problems and delays are in the past. He is working with ProBox TV and resumes his career when he fights Mexico’s Rene Tellez Giron (19-3, 12 KOs) in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
“I look at boxing like it’s another day; I’m seasoned; I’m experienced and it’s just another day,” he told BoxingScene. “Some people go into work to do their nine ‘till five. I’m going to be lacing up, having a fight and whatever will be will be. That’s what separates me from a lot of fighters
“I’m a real throwback. People in boxing know that. I take pride in being a real warrior. I’m gonna put on a fantastic show.”
He hasn’t been handed an easy touch. Girona is a good operator who beat America’s solid George Acosta in February, but he shouldn’t provide Dilmaghani with too many surprises.
The well traveled Dilmaghani spent years training under the revered Nacho Beristain during his time in Mexico. As well as providing Juan Manuel Marquez with southpaw sparring ahead of his third fight with Manny Pacquiao, he shared the gym with hundreds of little-known but tough Mexican fighters, many of whom – as has been proven time and time again – would be more than capable of emerging from obscurity and shocking an unsuspecting British fighter.
Dilmaghani believes that his schooling and versatility makes him perfectly prepared for whatever Giron brings.
“I’ve got respect for him because I’ve got respect for any fighter who gets in the ring with me but it’s a style I’ve seen many times before,” he said. “It’s gonna be a good fight and he’s a good opponent. Every opponent of mine is hard because we’re at a high level. I’ve trained hard and it’s going to be a great fight and it’s on a good show on a great platform. I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve got different elements to my game. I can box, fight and do multiple things. I’ve shown that I can be slick and fight inside or outside. This guy, let’s see how many elements and games he’s got. If I take away his plan A, does he have a plan B? We’re gonna see.
“I’m like fine wine. I keep on getting better. I live very clean and I’m always looking to perfect elements of my craft. Let’s see how it goes. I’m confident as I’m sure he is. Every fighter should be confident.”
While Giron will come into the fight buoyant after the impressive victory over Acosta, Dilmaghani’s confidence comes from the thousands of hours he has put in over the past few years.
Working with ProBox has already expanded his horizons. His fight with Giron will form part of the undercard to Lamont Roach's WBA junior lightweight title defense against Feargal McCrory, and an impressive performance will not only introduce him to a new audience, it will ensure that his name starts being mentioned in different circles.
After years of uncertainty, Dilmaghani has a plan in place and is sure that his effort and dedication is about to deliver.
“I’ve got a promoter with regular fight dates,” he said. “I’m going to be in the gym, perfecting my craft and fighting regularly. That means happy days as far as I’m concerned. Evidently, a lot of people don’t want to fight me in the UK so I’m fighting in the United States which is many people’s Mecca of boxing so it’s gonna be a really exciting part of the journey
“I’m a proper fighter. I’ve taken on challenges throughout my career and will box anyone, at any time, anywhere. I’m looking forward to putting on a good show for the American public and people watching and I’ll do whatever it takes to get a great victory.
“I’m built differently. Mentally and physically I’m prepared. I’ve had a lot of fights but, now, nobody wants to fight me. I’m avoided, well and truly.
“I really do believe that a couple of years from now, my story could be made into a movie. The way I’ve carried on and shown inspiration. A lot of fighters will say they have it hard. They really haven’t. Finally, I’ve got big fights – and a lot of fights – lined up and it’s great.”
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