Amateur Fighter Spotlight: Ahmad Ibrahim

The Muay Thai and Kickboxing world is filled with amateur fighters. Most of the amateurs won't turn into a professional fighter for one reason or another, while some will go on to make excellent pro athletes. If they go into the pro ranks or not one fact remains, they play a significant role in shaping the future of Muay Thai and Kickboxing. This week's Amateur Spotlight segment features Ahmad Ibrahim.

Ahmad Ibrahim fights out of Philadelphia, PA where he trains at Ramie Elite under the guidance of his uncle Rami Ibrahim. He is one of the most active young fighters from the United States. At 19 years of age he is on the brink of turning pro and leaving his mark on the sport. 

In our interview Ahmad talks about his future goals and how it is training under his uncle.

MTA: When and why did you start training Muay Thai? 

Ahmad: I started training Muay Thai in 2011 and I started in Tae Kwon Do and wanted to try Muay Thai because I grew up watching fights.

MTA: What gym do you represent and what is your record? 

Ahmad: I represent Rami Elite out of Philadelphia, PA my record is 19-6.

MTA: What is your best memory since you started competing in Muay Thai?

Ahmad: My best memory competing in Muay Thai was when I was fighting in the TBA Classic Tournament and I was losing a fight so Rami told me before the last round that he hurt my grandmom so I went out and stopped him in that round.

MTA: You are one of the most active young fighters. How do you fit into your schooling etc?

Ahmad: It's not to hard to manage school and training. If you know you have school work just risk some of that sleep and do what you have to do. To be special you have to do special things.

MTA: You train under your uncle Rami, does it make things easier or harder working with a family member?

Ahmad: Training under my uncle is really helpful. We have a connection no one else can have. It's family he is always there for me and if he ever needs me I will be there for him.

MTA: Who are some of your favorite fighters?

Ahmad: My favorite fighter is Giorgio Petrosyan.

MTA: What are your future goals on the sport?

Ahmad: My goal is to become a WBC champion and a Glory world champion.

MTA: Do you prefer fighting full rules Muay Thai or Kickboxing rules?

Ahmad: I prefer fighting full rules Muay Thai.

MTA: How soon before you plan on going pro?

Ahmad: I was scheduled to turn pro October 10th but unfortunately the show was canceled so we are looking for another fight.

MTA: What are you short term goals in the sport?

Ahmad: My short term goals is to build a good pro record and fight on TV.

Photo by Bauzen

MTA: You have fought full grown men when you were just a teenager, how is it stepping in the ring with an adult?

Ahmad: To me it's no different then sparring the biggest guy in my gym. I'm used to being hit by grown men.

MTA: Any words for your supporters?

Ahmad: I would like to thank everyone who supported me and is continuing to support me in my journey to achieve my dreams! I would like to also thank my family for being there and my team Rami Elite for pushing me to be the best I can be. Also thank you to my uncle and trainer Rami Ibrahim for guiding me in this world. The sky isn't the limit for us!

Amateur Fighter Spotlight: Robby Squyers Jr.

The Muay Thai and Kickboxing world is filled with amateur fighters. Most of the amateurs won't turn into a professional fighter for one reason or another, while some will go on to make excellent pro athletes. Wherever their path leads them, whether it is to the pro ranks or not one fact remains. They play a significant role in shaping the future of Muay Thai and Kickboxing. In our Amateur Spotlight segment will will be interviewing a current amateur fighter and she what drives them to step in the ring, and what their plans are in the sport. For our first segment we interviewed Robby Squyers Jr.

Robby is a 24 year old from San Francisco, CA. He started his training at World Team USA under Kru Sam Phimsoutham and has competed in several smokers and has an official amateur record of 3-1-1. He currently resided in Las Vegas where he trains with Chaz Mulkey, Dewey Cooper, and Jonathan Balgame.

MTA: When and why did you start training Muay Thai? 

Robby Squyers Jr: I started Muay Thai back in 2010, after being sent to the hospital after being jumped by 9 individuals, I became depressed, lost hope in everything, dropped out of college and quit my job back a year prior in August of 2009. It was during this year I met a SFPD Gang Task force member who eventually lead me to my home gym World Team USA under the watchful eye of Master Reyes and Kru Sam. I became a bit discourage because I couldn't afford it and then Kru Sam offered to teach me, and take me under his wing if I were to clean the gym, and be there everyday to stay outta trouble. So this started my journey. 

MTA: What is your record amateur record? 

Robby Squyers Jr: 3-1-1. IKF Superheavyweight Champion, 2012 Golden Gate Games Champion. 

MTA: What has been your best experience this far in Muay Thai? 

Robby Squyers Jr: It turned my entire life around, Muay Thai became an answered prayer whilst being in the hospital. I was literally a troubled teen, in the clubs 4 nights out of the week. Partying, drinking, just wasting life, I wanted to change my life. I'm still alive today because of what its taught me. Muay Thai has taught me confidence in life, being strong and never giving up. Even though I still would consider my self not much, what I have accomplished in these past 5 years. I went from fighting in bars to main eventing my last fight in Las Vegas. If i were to tell you where I'd see myself in 5 years, 5 years ago I would of said dead.

MTA: What was it about Muay Thai that peaked your interest? 

Robby Squyers Jr: It was always the mix of savagery and beauty of respect involved. The family that I came to know and the legacy I came to understand. 

MTA: When you started did you plan on competing or look at it just as an activity to stay out of trouble? 

Robby Squyers Jr: Lol, I never thought I was going to fight. To be dead honest I was knocked out cold from my first day of sparring. From that day I told myself I cant quit now. If that's the worst thing to happen I want to fight and so 3 months later I did my 1st smoker and fought the state champion. got a broken nose and busted up rib... I fell in love. 

MTA: World Team USA has had some great fighters, Michael Mananquil, Ky Hollenbeck, Bebe Etzler. Have you gotten to work with them in the past? 

Robby Squyers Jr: You cant exclude the other people I've gotten to work with including up and coming pro fighters TJ Arcangel, Jade Hayes, Kevin Arceo, Skylr Pena and Vishnu Gulati and Kenneth Giang. All under the guidance of Kru Sam. The whole fight team from ‘09- until current days, I have gotten to work with all of them. Being the gyms “heavy bag” I've been able to learn from the best and just watching them and their work ethic. I learned from all these great champions and took a little from each of them, its because of them I am the fighter I am today. Kru Sam could of not given me a 2nd glance, but he developed me into his 43rd champion and I hope I still make the team proud and can leave something behind like Micheal, Ky and Bebe.

MTA: What are your short term goals in Muay Thai? 

Robby Squyers Jr: Currently looking for a heavyweight to fight in Cali before the end of the year. Its hard finding opponents. Within 6 months, if no fight at heavyweight happens I'll start heading down lower than 235 or less. I would love an opportunity to fight for my country and represent it well. 

MTA: What are your long term goals in Muay Thai? 

Robby Squyers Jr: I plan on opening up a gym one day in the future, to help like I was helped. I feel its super important to help the community from where your from so opening up one will give me a chance to help people out. I plan to fight pro one day if the opportunity is there, I've been given an opportunity and I plan on running towards the goal of becoming a world heavyweight champion. 

MTA: You recently moved from San Francisco to Vegas. What gym are you training at now? 

Robby Squyers Jr: I've been blessed to finish up my schooling here in Las Vegas for hospitality management an I've been learning a lot from Chaz Mulkey at Syndicate MMA, Dewey Cooper at TMT and Kru Jong at Fight Capital. Its a blessing having people pour into you and want to help. I owe these people credit too. Other goals are maybe doing an MMA fight as well, but well see.

MTA: Any words for your supporters Robby?

Robby Squyers Jr: Thanks to everyone who believes in me and my dreams, my teammates back home at World Team, my sponsors Thaismai, Nor Cal Fight Shop, Dome Piece Audio, and my great friends over at Action Pro Gear, and to an amazing supporting Girl friend Jackie. I hope soon to represent our great country and show you all what this heavyweight can do!