Nigerian-born Brit Umar Sadiq has retired from boxing.
The 34-year-old made the decision last year but hasn’t gone on record to confirm the news until recently when he spoke to Boxing Social’s Ayman Khan.
Sadiq now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and has found happiness post-retirement as he pursues a lifelong ambition of becoming an actor.
“I’m doing amazing things in the short time I’ve been doing this. October 2021, I decided I wanted to be an actor. I’m in two different [acting] schools at the same time, I’m essentially a full-time student.
“Since then, done three short films, one of which I co-produced. I’ve done two plays. I’ve signed with an agent for commercials and print. I’ve had a ton of head shots done. I’ve easily done over 90 auditions. My work rate is relentless but a lot of that comes from boxing.”
The boxing career of Sadiq ends with a record of (11-2, 7 KOs) which featured an eight-round points loss to Zak Chelli, a hard-fought unanimous decision over Kody Davies and an admirable performance in defeat to Fedor Chudinov in September 2020.
After suffering a subdural haematoma (bleed to the brain) following the 12th round stoppage loss Sadiq had his licence suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control, per normal procedure.
Sadiq had taken the fight against the more experienced Chudinov on seven days’ notice but it was an opportunity that his career needed and could not be turned down.
“My fight against Chudinov was an opportunity I couldn’t pass by especially when it was someone, I felt I had the beating of but then the fight was only confirmed seven days before the fight. I had to get visas, get to Russia. I had a great fight, great performance. Ref stopped it in the 12th round rightfully so.”
It was the best display of Sadiq’s career and he had several moments when he was on top and looked like he could cause the upset, but he freely admits he was “gassed” by the fourth round.
After the board’s suspension Sadiq chose to fight in Mexico much to the annoyance of the BBBofC but eventually the fighter had a decision to make for his future and his life.
“Make a decision whether I want to risk my life, live my life living as vegetable for the sake of boxing or if I want to explore other things in life. I always wanted to be an actor from when I left school.”
“This is my life now. I apply for acting jobs all day, go to acting schools, take lessons, auditioning and auditioning. I’m happy which is the main thing.”
Boxing Social would like to wish Umar Sadiq every success in his new life and career in Hollywood.