Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma entered the ring at Saturday night with little in his favour.  His fight against Jermain Taylor was clearly going to be the toughest fight of his career.  Not only was he a small junior middleweight compared to others, but he is an even smaller middleweight.

From the opening bell, it was apparent that the usual punching machine that we see in Ouma was not going to have his typical fight.  He landed 502 total punches against Jantuah in early 2005 throwing well over 1000; however, against Taylor, Kassim could only manage to get off 701.  It may have been Taylor’s power was getting him at the right time or simply that the extra baggage was too much.

So why take the fight?

Simply put, a loss is a loss, but a loss with a big payday is much more rewarding than a typical loss.  Such opportunities do not come that often.

Kassim is no stranger to opportunities, however.

At the ripe young age of seven, where most children are playing at school and learning addition, Kassim was kidnapped and forced into the army.  While most were being ‘kids,’ he was experiencing and witnessing incidents that no human should ever have to see.

Similarly, Taylor faced some problems as well.  Although he was not enlisted in the army, he too had to grow very fast into a man.  Since his father abandoned him and his family, he took care of his three sisters while his mother worked as a nurse.

"I think about it all the time," Taylor admits. "Why did I have to do that and why did I have to grow up so fast like that? But I just say that I'm going to try and be a better man than that."

Somehow, Taylor still has respect for his father and does not show hatred toward him.

Both Taylor and Ouma try to be better role models and presence in their children’s lives.  Unfortunately both have faced family crises as well.  Ouma has lost many brothers, and Taylor’s grandmother was murdered.

Admirably, however, neither lets their past get in the way of their future.  We don’t see Ouma with an angry face, in fact we always see a cheerful man with a pleasant smile in almost all circumstances.  Even after the recognition, Taylor isn’t one who boasts about his success or struts down the street with bodyguards.  He prefers to be a role model to children.

"I'm hoping that I can be a role model for the kids," said Taylor. "Not the earrings, the long hair, the sagging pants and big clothes. I think kids need a new role model."

Both have young families as well.  Taylor’s determination he told Larry Merchant, was to put food on the table for his family.  After all his success, Taylor could put food on plenty of tables for his daughter and wife.  Ouma on the other hand, was recently reunited with his son just this past week, for the first time since 1998. With efforts from Ugandan and American officials, the father and son were finally able to meet after eight
years.

So where do both fighters go from here?

Taylor may receive a lot of criticism; however, he is one who admits his mistakes.  Merchant asked whether he tried to hard to knock him out, instead of making any excuse like so many fighters, Taylor calmly and honestly stated “That’s exactly what I did.”

Ouma may be a small fighter, however he isn’t a pushover.  This fight for Taylor was after two close encounters with Hopkins, and a nail biting twelve round brawl with Winky Wright.  It wouldn’t be too surprising if Taylor’s next fight is against a less risky opponent,  and in fact, it would be astonishing if he decides to take another high profile fight.

Ouma on the other hand has many options ahead of him.  He could go back down to 154 lbs. to regain another championship, or he could continue campaigning at 160 lbs.

One thing is for sure, he’s not going to be walking around sulking after a loss.  The world is his oyster despite the blemish on his record.  With being reunited with his son, and going from a poverty stricken war filled country to a prizefighter, he is after all, living the dream.

Questions and Comments can be sent to Rizwaan Zahid