I know that life is a test, it always has been and it always will be. Regardless of what you believe or your cultural background, we are all the same; we want to achieve success, to feel a sense of worth, to feel like we belong, like we are important to someone.
I sensed I was destined for something different the moment I laced in my first pair of boxing gloves at the Sutherland PCYC. As a scrawny kid whose parents owned a corner shop, becoming a two-time world champion was something I always believed possible even when others thought I was a bit of a dreamer.
Self-belief is a funny thing. It determines the decisions you make and the person you become. Sometimes those who are not in your shoes interpret self-belief as cockiness or arrogance. Truth is, it's your personal reassurance. Whenever I walked into the so-called squared ring, any question marks had to be pushed to the very depths of my mind. In boxing, hesitation, second thoughts or self-doubt would result in the worst of defeats: self-defeat.
Australian boxer Billy Dib on 'Stories From Home'. Source: SBS
At 30 years of age, I have lived the most extraordinary experiences. I have had the greatest highs and suffered through the most difficult of lows. I have fought in the most revered of world venues and I have also fought in small time community halls. I have hung out with some of the most famous celebrities in the world and have fed the homeless here in Sydney. I have risen and I have fallen. At all times I have been steadfast in my self-belief; the one constant in an ever changing set of experiences and circumstances.
2015 was an awful year.
Australian boxer Billy Dib on 'Stories From Home'. Source: SBS
It started with such hope and promise. I was to fight for a world title in Japan, be broadcast on free to air TV, hopefully sign a major new fight contract and later in the year, the best part, marry the love of my life.
Japan didn't go to plan. A split second focus on a rib injury saw me knocked out for the first time in my career. The new contract never came through and I flew home, an unsuccessful challenger at the crossroads of his career.
All of this meant nothing though when my wife was diagnosed with leukaemia two months later.
Self-belief; we both had it. Sara was going to beat cancer and become an inspiration to others. We planned that after the treatment, we were going to live the rest of our lives together, fulfil our plans and dreams, have our children.
Well before this terrible disease came into our lives, I made a vow and stayed with Sara every day until God decided he wanted his angel back. I never thought it would happen. We were confident, the doctors were confident. But on 27 September, the reality of death hit me as I buried Sara.
It's still raw, it will always be. I suppose no one can understand this sort of grief until they suffer it. There's no training that prepares you for this and no amount of praying, begging, pleading and crying changes the reality of the emptiness you feel. Those of you who have lost a loved one will know the pain I write about, the one that tears you to shreds, debilitates you and occupies your every thought.
Australian boxer Billy Dib Source: SBS
As a Muslim, I believe in the will of Allah (the Arabic word for God). It is my faith and my close knit family and circle of friends that has given me such strong self-belief and an understanding of the fact that regardless of any plan one makes, Allah's will always prevails. In my darkest moments, faith and family have been the rocks I have leaned on.
Of course, sometimes, it's in helping others that we discover our best selves and learn to appreciate the good life we live.
I met Ahmed when I visited his school as part of a role model program being run in South West Sydney. This kid had a chip on his shoulder and after a bit of 'straight talk' we had a really good chat. Ahmed was doing it tough. Like a lot of teenagers, he was trying to work out who he was. He was born in Australia but didn't feel like he belonged, like he was not welcome, as though he were a visitor. Ahmed is the sort of kid who, unless he finds a sense of purpose, belonging and self-belief, could easily become disillusioned with the very society he is a part of.
Australian boxer Billy Dib on 'Stories From Home'. Source: SBS
It doesn't matter what Ahmed believes, where he lives, what his background is or even how much money his family has. Anyone who feels like she or he is worthless and doesn't belong is at risk of living a life unfulfilled. I spend a lot of time talking to young people. They are kids from all backgrounds, male and female. Ahmed's story is not isolated. Kids who don't feel like they are a success in life have a real risk of turning to gangs, drugs, crime, self-harming or simply disengage from society. I know that I’m a role model to many people. It's a big responsibility, but I know if I use my profile to be a positive influence on kids like Ahmed, then I know that I’m playing a small role in making the world a better place.
Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.
I was meant to be fighting in England as the main support bout to an internationally televised fight in the middle of January. I injured my hand last week and have had to pull out. I'm gutted. It was to be such an important fight and a good chance for me to put some of the hardships of last year behind me. This fight was really important, not because of the glory, or the TV or the backstory, but for the victory of self–belief; that self-belief I tell young people to keep stoked within them.
Australian boxer Billy Dib on 'Stories From Home'. Source: SBS
I have had an awful year and only God knows what the future holds, however, I have had experiences people only dream about. I have been blessed with what has been given to me. My parents taught me and my siblings to be grateful for what we have and to remember there are always people suffering more than you. They taught us to do what we can to help others and to be the very best people we can. Most importantly, they drilled in us the importance of a glass half full approach to life.
Do I get upset and angry at what I have lost in the past year? Do I question why this has happened? Do I find it a struggle to move forward? Absolutely.
Australian boxer Billy Dib on 'Stories From Home'. Source: SBS
Every day I visit Sara, I am grateful because I was lucky enough to have her in my life, even if for too short a time. Every day I pray to God, thanking him for the blessings he has given me. I have self-belief, I have a sense of belonging and I know I can help people realise their self-worth.
Today, like yesterday and tomorrow, presents its challenges. The person we are deep within determines how we rise to these obstacles. It's not easy, but someone once said that life was never meant to be.
Billy Dib features on ‘Stories From Home’, Saturday 16 January at 5.30pm on SBS.
