Ra’eese Aleem knows better than anyone that it is better late than never when getting a title shot.
Aleem will face IBF featherweight titleholder Angelo Leo, 31, 26-1 (12 KOs), on Saturday at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.
Aleem, 23-1 (12 KOs), moved to Las Vegas from Muskegon, Michigan, to gamble – not in the casinos, but on his boxing career. Despite being ranked as the No. 1 contender in the junior featherweight division, he was never able to land a title shot.
The 35-year-old Aleem will now get his chance at glory.
“It is long overdue,” Aleem told BoxingScene. “It feels like [I have been waiting] my whole career, but realistically, I have waited six years.”
The two know each other well, as they sparred when Leo was preparing for his first title defense at 122lbs against Stephen Fulton.
“There is nothing really to take away from [the sparring],” Aleem said. “But [Saturday’s bout] will be a dogfight.”
Aleem also competed on that January 2021 show headlined by Leo-Fulton. Leo lost his WBO junior featherweight title to Fulton, while Aleem knocked out the previously undefeated Vic Pasillas.
The two would then take different paths to this point.
Leo would win four fights before knocking out Luis Alberto Lopez in 2024 to capture the IBF featherweight belt, making him a two-division titleholder. The moment was like a scene out of a movie, as Leo recorded a highlight reel knockout in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Aleem’s path was different. He would lose a 2023 split decision to Sam Goodman in Australia. The loss was followed by inactivity.
“I went [17] months without a fight, and that shit was tough,” Aleem said. “I have always been right there my whole fucking career, and I never get to that point of a title shot. There are a lot of fighters who have been in my position who quit.”
Aleem would return on a Top Rank card in 2024, defeating Derlyn Hernandez-Gerarldo. Aleem appreciated Brad Goodman of Top Rank for the bout, which restarted his career. After that, Aleem fought on the Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas undercard in May 2025, beating Rudy Garcia. In November, Aleem won a unanimous decision over unbeaten Mikito Nakano in Japan. The win set the stage for this fight with Leo.
“This is an underdog story,” Aleem said. “I bet on myself when I moved to Las Vegas. No family, no friends, no support system, just grinding, making it all happen. I did a lot of stuff myself.”
Aleem is looking to make the most out of his title shot, with his aim set for a future move to junior lightweight.
“The ultimate goal would be to win the title, defend it, and move to 130lbs and see what opportunities are there,” Aleem said. “I don’t plan on ending my career at 126lbs. At some point in time, the move will be to 130lbs.”
