An Iraqi boxer from Baghdad is tuning up for the Olympics Games in Athens, Greece this summer by training at Gleasons gym in Brooklyn, New York City.
It is a far cry from the war torn country that has seen so much devastation over the last few years. Najah, Ali, a 24 year-old with a degree in computer science, witnessed much of the violence that engulfed most of Iraq under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussain.
Ali was brought to the US by former world title challenger Maurice Watkins, who discovered the tiny flyweight whilst contracting in Iraq. "I consider it my responsibility to fight for Iraq," Ali told the Washington Times. .
Ali is currently training with the USA boxing team and will compete in the Titan Games tournament in Atlanta, Georgia later this month.
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