The Iraqi Butcher, Super Middleweight Sinan Fradi RCM Interview: Revenge at 2:59
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In a Real Combat Media interview exclusive, a rare Iraqi professional boxer hopes to take the super middleweight division by storm in the next 12 months. He calls himself ‘The Iraqi Butcher’. Undefeated but unknown Sinan Fradi, of Dearborn, Michigan, fighting out of the World’s Best Boxing Gym under the tutelage of head training Julio Hernandez, may set the stage for the new wave of Detroit area fighters in the post-Emanuel Steward era.
After a one round nutty No-Contest bout in his professional debut, a boxing enthusiastic Fradi has settled down, winning two bouts by knockout, including a revenge win at 2:59 of the first round in his last outing against Brian Jackson, the cause of his pro debut No-Contest. Fradi’s plans include fighting ten bouts in the next ten months against a higher quality of opposition as he begins his ascent at 168 pounds in the same gym as Cornelius K9 Bundrage.
Robert Brizel: “Tell me about 2:59. Defeating Brian Jackson at 2:59 of the first round on March 26, 2017, at the Ford Community Center card promoted by Jaafar promotions. That’s a definitive win. The time of the victory was, shall we say, unique. Was that sweet revenge?”
Sinan Fradi: “My friend and gym partner, former world super welterweight champion Cornelius K9 Bundrage, felt I could take Brian Jackson out (in the rematch). Everyone else told me to keep jabbing.”
Robert Brizel: “Did you say in your mind, give it a few rounds (the second time) with Jackson?”
Sinan Fradi: “Everyone told me don’t rush it. The knockout was coming.”
Robert Brizel: “In your pro debut, the time you fought Jackson, you appeared overanxious.”
Sinan Fradi: “It was my pro debut. I was very excited. The second time (in the rematch) K9 Bundrage made a bet I would take Jackson out in the first round. Jackson (0-5) didn’t belong there. By the way, he had very nasty words to say about me, which promoter Eddie Jaafar conveyed. It was very personal (my desire for a rematch). The rematch was originally set for January, but he wouldn’t agree. He was brought in for the March 2017 rematch as a last minute thing. Jackson could not make super middleweight, so I had to come in at light heavyweight for the rematch to take place, which it did finally.”
Robert Brizel: “What happened in the No-Contest with Jackson?”
Sinan Fradi: “It was my pro debut (in Dearborn, Michigan, on October 30, 2016). It caused me a lot of heartache. He (Jackson) told the referee he could not see (after he claimed I accidentally hit him behind the head). It broke my heart for a second. It was not how I wanted to start my career.”
Robert Brizel: “What’s next for Sinan Fradi?”
Sinan Fradi: “More competitive fights. I told promoter Eddie Jaafar (I don’t want) no more bums. I need to fight every month. I need to get (fight) one fight a month, and at least eight to ten more fights this year, and not just on Eddie Jaafar shows.”
Robert Brizel: “Iraq is a more open society now. Would you like to fight on a boxing show in Iraq at some point in the future?”
Sinan Fradi: “Absolutely. I was there (I went home) in 2005, 2006 and 2007. They are following my boxing career in Iraq now. If I make it big over here, they will see my shows. I come from a family of great fighters! My two uncles, Majed Fredi and Mehsin Fredi, were Arabian champions and fought in the Olympics, in the Olympic qualifiers, for Iraq. They have major connections for me over there, so television boxing can be big in Iraq.”