For Aiman Abu Bakar, the dream is still worth the fight

At 34, Aiman Abu Bakar has dedicated more than a decade to building a career in professional boxing, driven by a childhood ambition that once seemed uncertain. In 2014, he left football behind and moved to the Philippines to fully commit to boxing, a sport that had always resonated with him. Recognizing limited opportunities for a professional career in Malaysia at the time, Aiman chose to immerse himself in a country known for its strong boxing culture, learning from those around him.

"I wanted to challenge myself, live among them, train with them, and understand how they think and what motivates them in boxing," he told Bernama.

Aiman's journey in the Philippines involved extensive training and competition, often at the expense of family time and stability. He adjusted to long periods away from his loved ones while trying to establish himself in an uncertain profession. However, his perseverance paid off when he gained the attention of American boxing matchmaker Sean Gibbons, leading to his first opportunity to compete on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse bout in Malaysia in 2018.

After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, Aiman returned to active competition in 2022, needing to rebuild his momentum after a period of rebuilding.

Preparing for a fight in boxing requires discipline and a strong mindset, even when the mood to train is absent or the weather is unfavorable. Aiman's training regimen typically involves a 12-week camp, six days a week, and two sessions a day. His mornings are dedicated to strength and conditioning, such as weightlifting, cycling, or running, followed by several hours of boxing training in the afternoon.

"Sometimes you have no mood to train, your body is aching or it is raining, but you still have to do it," he said. "For me, discipline and a strong mindset keep me going to the gym to train."

Despite the financial constraints, limited support, and feelings of loneliness that come with building a career far from home, Aiman has remained committed to his chosen path for more than a decade. Currently competing in the super featherweight division, he boasts a professional record of 13 wins, two losses, and one draw. In August 2024, he secured the WBC Asia Silver Super Featherweight title, and in April 2025, he captured the WBC Asia Super Featherweight title.

Ranked 36th in the world, Aiman still aspires to reach his childhood dream of fighting for a world title. He acknowledges that achieving this goal will require more than just individual determination, including a strong team and better sponsorship support.

Inspired by legendary boxers like Manny Pacquiao, Roberto Durán, Julio César Chávez, and Terence Crawford, Aiman's career has been shaped by a combination of patience and ambition. As he continues to sharpen his technique and work towards his long-term goal of competing for a world title, he remains motivated by his status as a Malaysian fighter fighting abroad, carrying the Malaysian flag with each bout.