I have spent most of my life in combat sports, but my career has always been about more than competition. Over the years, I have worked as a fighter, trainer, gym operator, promoter, manager, advisor, negotiator, and boxing executive. Each role has given me a different perspective on what it takes to succeed in sports, business, and leadership.

I was born in the Bronx in 1977 and raised in a Jordanian family with roots in Jerusalem. My family later moved to Lockport, New York, where I began studying martial arts at around eight years old. Karate gave me an early foundation in discipline, focus, and consistency. As a teenager, I competed internationally and won a Junior Olympics gold medal in karate in 1992.

After high school, I attended Yarmouk University in Jordan on a kickboxing scholarship. Competing internationally at a young age helped shape the way I see sports today. It showed me that competition can open doors across cultures, markets, and communities.

When I returned to New York, I began teaching kickboxing and developing fighters. In 1999, I founded Lace Up Promotions. A year later, I turned professional as a kickboxer. I eventually won the WKA Cruiserweight World Championship and retired in 2018 with an undefeated 18-0 record, including 10 knockouts.

What made my path unusual was that I built my business career while I was still competing. I promoted events, trained fighters, managed athletes, operated a gym, and handled negotiations while pursuing my own championship goals.

Since retiring from competition, my focus has shifted further toward boxing, sports entertainment, athlete representation, and international business. I have worked across the United States and the Middle East with fighters, promoters, executives, organisations, investors, and other partners in the sports industry.

I believe strongly in self-belief, tenacity, and staying connected to your values when challenges come. I have experienced setbacks, changes, and difficult lessons, but I have always tried to use them as fuel for the next stage.

My goal is to keep raising the bar, take on new ventures, and continue building opportunities in boxing and sports on an international level.