As a child, Thariq Aziz would watch YouTube videos of Muhammad Ali in action against George Foreman and Joe Frazier with his grandfather, an avid boxing fan.
Today, at age 25, Thariq is the one entering the ring, throwing punches, weaving and bobbing, and winning bouts.
With over 30 bouts under his belt as an amateur boxer, the Singaporean made his debut as a professional during the Test of Champions event at the Foochow Building in Jalan Besar on Aug 17, organised by Brothers Boxing Promotions and Leyendas Promotions.
After four three-minute rounds in the 60kg (super featherweight) category, he triumphed over Indonesia’s Johan Sigalingging, drawing raucous cheers from his army of supporters, marking the start of a new dawn.
The decision to turn professional was not an easy one for Thariq, said his coach Syakir Farouk and promoter Hamzah Farouk – the brothers behind the Brothers Boxing academy banner.
After representing Singapore in various competitions from 2015 to 2017, Thariq took time off from the ring to focus on his diploma in business applications at Republic Polytechnic and later, national service.
Syakir, who has been coaching Thariq since 2021, recalled how Thariq came to him following the hiatus. A few months after returning to the ring, the right-handed boxer had won the Singapore Boxing Federation national championships.
“After winning the nationals, Thariq was called back to the national team and he was really excited about it,” Syakir, 32, said. “But he was unable to juggle national training and his job. That’s when we decided that turning pro would suit him better. Professional boxers train according to their own schedule rather than a fixed time with the rest of the team.”
Turning pro means Thariq joins a select few active professional boxers (15 as per Hamzah’s estimate) in Singapore.
Hamzah, 36, himself a former WBC Asia Champion with a 14-1 win-loss record as a professional boxer, knows the challenges that lie ahead for Thariq.
For one, a professional boxer needs to adapt to fighting up to 12 three-minute rounds, compared with three rounds for amateur fights.
And, finances are always on a boxer’s mind.
Hamzah said: “It’s a misconception that professional boxing pays a lot. Ninety per cent of pro boxers all over the world have day jobs, so they have to struggle to pursue their dream. Only if you’re lucky and skilled enough do you get the big fights and the big money.”
Hamzah stressed that sacrifices have to be made.
For his pro debut, Thariq trained for four months – five times a week and three times a day – way longer and more intensely than usual.
“If you want to go pro, making money or climbing the corporate ladder has to take a backseat as boxing is demanding. You might need to take a job that doesn’t pay as well but gives you extra time to train. I myself had to take up a job as a trainer and even paused my education.”
Currently, Thariq, who used to save his pocket money as a student to pay for his training fees, works part-time as a personal trainer to sustain himself.
“I need to sponsor my own sports massages, injury treatment and even diet,” he explained. “If I have more sponsors, it will help me focus more on training.”
Thariq’s first pro fight on Aug 17 bagged him $400 – the prize money will increase as he racks up more wins. He also gets a commission from ticket sales at his fights.
Syakir said there is a high possibility of Thariq fighting overseas next year. For now though, he is set to fight at The Chevrons on Oct 26, representing Brothers Boxing Promotions.
“In my career as a professional boxer, I want to win at least one belt,” Thariq said. “If I can do better than that, it would be a dream come true.”
