Shattering stereotypes and making history – welcome to Saarah Karriem’s world
Asked whether his faith conflicted with boxing, Zain Karriem stopped a moment to gather his thoughts.
His daughter Saarah, like him a Muslim, has been a long-time fighter, but a license to box professionally in the new year beckons.
Karriem conceded that their religion doesn’t allow someone to be struck in the face for no reason, but a looser interpretation permits the practice of boxing in a safe and controlled manner for fitness.
“Saarah has always practiced good sportsmanship,” he says of his 21-year-old daughter, comfortable that she is breaking no edicts and is simply pursuing her passion.
Karriem is a pioneer. Never before has a Muslim female boxed professionally in South Africa, although several males, including Ishmaeel Kadri, whom Zain used to train, have done so.
Karriem will be co-promoted by Rodney Berman and Savva Savvas with manager Matt Leisching guiding the junior-featherweight as she makes her way through the pro game.
Her father Zain will continue to train her, as he has always done, with Leisching assisting (when his schedule allows) with additional training or sparring.
Her debut is slated for late April with a showing on “Fight Island”, the innovative Cape Town promotion.
“I never thought I’d be a boxer,” she quipped. “I always got beat up. I’m a perfectionist, so I’d get frustrated. But when I adopted the fundamentals – movement with the hands and head, fight IQ, everything – I was blown away. I felt this is home.”
She barely considers her imminent transition to be ground-breaking, but she says she wanted to be a role-model regardless. “I hope to inspire as a Muslim girl.”
A former amateur champion – she won gold at Districts, silver at provincials and bronze at the 2024 nationals – she has a solid foundation, having also paid her dues as a kickboxer.
She grew up idolising the UFC’s Ronda Rousey, and even had vague thoughts of competing in the cage, but kickboxing grabbed her early attention, followed by boxing.
More recently, she was spellbound by the all-action fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano on the undercard of Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul.
It was a wild encounter, although Karriem was disappointed Serrano didn’t get the decision.
She trains at the Bushido gym in Retreat in Cape Town where her father puts her through her paces. One of her friends and regular sparring partners is novice pro Cayleigh Swart.
“She’s a good mentor,” says Karriem. “She pushes me past my limit; our sparring is very intense.”
Asked about any concerns with his daughter’s choice of sport, Karriem is comfortable that she is capable and he has the wherewithal to protect her.
“I remember how pale she was when she had her first fight. People look at her and see a pretty face, but she was born for this. The name of the game is to hit and not get hit. It’s something that is seldom taught by trainers now, but it is something I teach. She chose this path, and I am happy with it.”
Zain says he has three rules in his house: family must observe faith, respect others’ faith and, perhaps surprisingly, be a martial artist.
His kids have listened – all four are fighters.
Leisching, who is building a formidable stable and is in partnership with Golden Gloves, likes what he sees in Karriem. “She’s sweet but fierce,” he says. “She brings something different – there’s no one like her in South Africa.”
The early signs are promising. Several months ago, before her biggest audience, she scored a third-round knockout on the undercard of an event on the “Fight Island” card, practically stealing the show.
Berman, too, is enthused by the possibilities.
“I’ve seen her on video and she’s very promising,” said the promoter, who 17 years ago promoted Laila Ali’s final bout, in South Africa.
“She has a lot of charisma, and she can fight. Having watched the Katie Taylor fight some weeks ago, I was riveted. Women have changed the game, so I’m happy to be a part of this.”
