Most Inspirational

By Anson Wainwright |

Most Inspirational

(Photo courtesy Billy Dib)

Billy Dib

In early October 2022, former IBF featherweight titlist Billy Dib was in talks for a major fight against fellow Australian George Kambosos Jr.

Dib headed to the gym where he had a sparring lined up. However, that session would have life-changing ramifications.

“[It was] a regular day. I was sparring my good friend Billel Dib, and then I was hit with a body shot in sparring and had a stomach ache and wasn’t feeling correct,” Dib recalled to The Ring. “I finished the spar and went to hospital. I knew something wasn’t right.”

Initially, the doctors couldn’t find anything and sent Dib home. The following day, he returned in absolute agony.

“It was a horrendous moment, trying to get to that point,” he said. “But eventually I got the right help through a doctor named Dr. Pran; he was a hematologist who put me onto another hospital, who looked after me.

“They found out I had cancer. They thought I had colon cancer, which I did.”

After having the tumor removed from his colon, Dib expected to feel better. It was then revealed to him that he also had Burkitt lymphoma, a rare but very aggressive type of cancer.

I don’t have hope, instead I have faith that the Almighty will help me through this roller coaster journey called cancer. REFUSE 2 LOSE pic.twitter.com/SWxf8DdQcs

— Billy Dib (@BillyDib) November 12, 2022

Dib, who held the IBF 126-pound title from 2011-2013, knows a thing about putting up a fight but this was a different type of battle to what he was accustomed to.

“The invisible opponent I couldn’t see, and that’s how I prepared for it,” he said. “I can’t see this opponent. I don’t know what he looks like. I don’t know how much he weighs. I don’t know how tall he is. All I know is he comes at you like a ton of bricks. Every day, I would get up and face this opponent called cancer.”

Here is my reason WHY..

A few months back I was given six months to live if I didn’t act fast.

The following day i started my treatment as I had a reason to live. #alhamdulillah #fighting #cancer #lovemyson #fyp pic.twitter.com/UBlMHSZwUN

— Billy Dib (@BillyDib) January 26, 2023

The Australian-born fighter of Lebanese descent had lost his first wife Sara to cancer in 2015, and he knew his journey would be fraught and filled with ups and downs. His young son, Laith, was hugely motivational for him. This was one fight he couldn’t lose.

(Photo courtesy Billy Dib)

“I had a quote on a white board on the wall in the hospital that my brother wrote: ‘Get up, you son of bitch, because Laith loves you,”‘ he said. “That was a quote we got from the Rocky movie. So every time I was feeling down and out, I would always think about my son and think, ‘I can’t leave this kid.’

“That was the most difficult journey of my life. I had come to terms that I might die, and I accepted that. I had made peace with God about that. But I had asked God for one thing: ‘If you decide to take me, I have no issue with that, but please look after my son and wife.’

“There would be days where cancer was kicking my arse – it was winning a lot of the rounds 10-8, knockdown after knockdown – but I would get my phone out and put it on the bedside and I’d turn it to video and I’d talk to my son.”

After nearly six months of treatment that took its toll on Dib emotionally and physically, he lost his hair, endured blinding headaches and felt constant pain. It took him to the very precipice.

On March 6, 2023, he was able to share some amazing news:

AlhamdAllah (thanks to God), I received the most beautiful news today. My scan came back clear of cancer. I am so grateful, blessed, happy and relieved. Thank you God, my health team, my family and all of you, for your prayers, encouragement and support to help me get here pic.twitter.com/u31vdd88AZ

— Billy Dib (@BillyDib) March 6, 2023

Dib, who is now tested every three months, feels the harrowing ordeal has given him a new perspective on life.

“Boxing saves a lot of lives, but boxing really did save my life,” he said. “If it hadn’t been for that moment [in sparring], I may have found out too late.

“I used to be all about trying to attain things, but now I’m just grateful to have time. Having my son around kept me alive. Without him, I would have let go.”