With boxing action thin on the ground during January, attention is turning to next Saturday’s PBC event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Whilst the headliner between WBO super-bantamweight champion Angelo Leo and highly-rated Philadelphian Stephen Fulton is naturally catching the eye, the chief support between unbeatens Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Casillas could steal the show.
With the vacant WBA ‘Interim’ super-bantam title at stake, the Las Vegas-based Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) is on the cusp of breaking the world’s top 10 after embarking on a six-fight stoppage streak that has seen him hit No.2 in the WBA rankings.
Trained by Bobby McCoy, Aleem moved to Sin City from Michigan with championships on his mind. He views a victory over Californian southpaw Pasillas (16-0, 9 KOs) as the gateway to major fights in the 122lbs division.
“Pasillas is a good fighter with a lot of skills, but he’s not on my level physically and mentally. I have the speed advantage, along with a better ring IQ, so I believe I’m the more polished fighter,” said Aleem, 30.
“This is going to be a dogfight and a lot of hard punches are going to be thrown by both of us. I envision myself dominating this fight and coming out victorious by any means necessary.
“Coach Bobby and I are working harmoniously together and we put in a lot of hard work during this training camp. There’s no place like Las Vegas as far as training and sparring goes, so I’m going to be well prepared going into this fight. We have a solid gameplan set in place and adjustments will be made as the fight goes on. We are making the final push and I’m in great shape.
“This fight is the turning point in my career, being that it’s for the WBA Interim title. I’ve always said I want to fight the best fighters in the division and that’s exactly what I’m doing when I step in the ring with Victor Pasillas. I’m coming for all the belts and it starts on January 23.”
Aleem-Casillas and Leo-Fulton will be broadcast on Showtime in the US at 9pm ET/6pm PT next Saturday (January 23).
Main image and all photos: Team Prince Ranch Boxing.