HAKEEM DAWODU PRE FIGHT THOUGHTS

On Saturday March 10th, Hakeem Dawodu participates in DEVASTATION. The event is historic as 4 Titles belts are up for grabs for Pan America. The belts are sanctioned by PAMU (Pan American MuayThai Union). PAMU is recognized by IFMA. The organization includes countries from the America's. Dawodu faces Argentinian and 2011 Pan American MuayThai Champion Sebastian Calvo in what is expected to be another huge test for Dawodu.

Hakeem Dawodu has been moving quickly up the ranks in North America for his MuayThai skills. In under 3 years he has earned a record of 37 wins and 3 losses. All three losses have been by split decision (in Canada, Thailand and Germany). Fighting as a Superlightweight (140 lbs.), he continues to train hard and blaze a trail forward in his career.

THOUGHTS ON YOUR FIGHT AGAINST CALVO...
Dawodu: I expect a really tough match. Those guys in South America (Argentina) are just plain old tough. I do not know much about him other than the fact he won the Pan American Title in 2010. He also participated in Beijing, China in the 1st SportAccord World Combat Games. That event featured the top 8 fighters in the world in each division. So no doubt, he is very good. I look forward to the challenge and the match.

YOU BEEN BUSY... QUICK UPDATES...
Dawodu: From newest to the oldest... last fight I had a fight with Thailand's Parnpetch. I learned so much and everyone has said it was a super fight. I know as it was tough and challenging. Before that I won the Last Man Standing 8 Man Welterweight K-1 Rules event. I had 3 fights in 1 night and that was difficult. I was up a weight division and fighting under K-1 rules which took away my clinch and elbow attacks... but was fun and I fought some really good fighters... defeated the very gifted Josh Jauncey (newspaper called it one of the best fights in B.C. in years), Alex Tribe, and Josh Wright. A week before that I beat China's Feng Jie (again no elbows), and I received a ton of support from people around the world who saw it on GFL as well as live. A few months before that I defeated Thailand's Tanuthong. Very good fighter... again learned a lot as he fought very defensively. Too many to name... I've had 13 fights in the last 12 months. Not bad for being outside Thailand or Europe. Been very active in the last year... faced some extremely gifted athletes. My respect to them all.

TOUGHEST FIGHT IN YOUR CAREER...
Dawodu: Probably Parnpetch (January 28th)... he was so fast and crafty. He was tricky, hard to hit, and had some great clinch work. Fights like that help me improve. I learned a lot.

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIGHT...
Dawodu: Tough question as I do not want anyone to think I am calling them out. I want to fight with the best to keep improving. That is my goal. I would like to fight Matt Embree as he has a North American Title. Would be a fun fight. Obviously, I would someday like to fight Kevin Ross. I know you have also quizzed a few other people I would like to step in the ring with. (We did talk with Justin “The Purple People Eater” Greskiewicz about a match up in 2012. Justin was very interested but further negotiations did not go too much farther due to commitments on both sides. If not in 2012, hopefully 2013. Mike Miles)

WHAT'S UP NEXT...
Dawodu: Really, I am just concentrating hard on this fight. One bout at a time. OK, schedules... I have a possible fight in Ireland at the end of March. End of April I have a fight against a former Soviet Bloc athlete. Thailand is coming up and then there is a possible tournament in Canada in May or June. Need to know the date of that tournament as I do not want it to interfere with Thailand. Then if I win that tournament I will fight in Russia in September. October in Calgary again features us against Team Thailand in installment 3 of Team Canada vs. Team Thailand. I also know there is a unification title bout on the back burner between me and the USA's TJ Arcangle. The sanctioning body tried to set it up for April but I was already booked with Kholmuratov Firdaysiy. I just want to keep fighting and learning.

ANYTHING ELSE...
Dawodu: I would like to say thank you to all the sponsors who have helped me, all the people who come to the bouts for their support and Team Miles... love and respect to Ajarn Panya Kraitus and our lineage, a huge thank you to Ajarn Mike Miles, KruYai Scott Clark, Kru Erik Lollike, Kru Eak, all my team-mates,... everyone for helping me see my dream come true! Thank you everyone!

COMING UP NEXT... Thoughts from Peter Arbeau...

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