Boxer Youssef Dib reveals his fight for success in and out of the ring

Youssef Dib is the undefeated younger brother of former boxer Billy Dib who is washing cars on weekends just to keep his world title dreams alive and care for his son with cerebral palsy.

An unbeaten, world-ranked boxer is working at an inner-city car wash so he can chase his dream to become world champion – and take care of his little boy with special needs.

Youssef Dib, 30, is among Australia’s most inspiring sportsmen.

He has won all 20 of his professional fights, 10 by knockout, and is searching for some big-money bouts in America.

Dib is ranked No. 10 in the IBF lightweight division behind undefeated title belt holder Devin Haney.

He is such an underdog that the IBF cannot find a photo of him for its official rankings website. He is a black silhouette.

Moving further up the rankings will give Dib, who will fight again in December, some high-profile fights that will ensure his young family has some financial security given three-year-old Jibreel has cerebral palsy.

Until those fights arrive, Dib will continue washing cars and working as a concierge in Zetland at the Fine Shine car wash and detailing company of his brother Emaid.

He fights, trains, sacrifices and washes cars – all for his family.

“There’s no shame in washing cars,” Dib said.

Youssef Dib is a world-ranked boxer washing cars on the side to fund his boxing ambitions and to also support a young family with one child suffering Cerebral palsy. Picture: Julian Andrews

Dib, the brother of former boxing champion Billy, refuses to take family handouts and also works as a personal trainer five nights a week at Bankstown for a few extra dollars.

He said “life is tough” but knows winning a world title will give him the “fame and fortune” to end his monetary struggles.

Orthodox fighter Dib recently moved into a three-bedroom home in Roselands but can only cover the rent with Government assistance.

Rather than complain or whinge, Dib is grateful to be boxing and for his young family, including wife Nicole and four-year-old daughter Aaliyah.

“I have a young family and a child who has special needs in my young son, Jibreel, who lives with cerebral palsy,” said Dib, who fights out of the Bodypunch Boxing gym in Lakemba under trainers Billy Hussein and Huss Hussein.

“To achieve a world title would make sure my family is well looked after.

“I’m doing everything I can to make ends meet. I’m running PT classes at night and I’m at Fine Shine on weekends at the car wash.

“Until boxing starts to pay off, and the big fights roll around, I just have to do what I have to do to help my family.

“When you have a young family, it’s hard. We’re in a tough spot economically and it’s very hard to save anything when you’re fighting.

“It’s a tough life but one worth living. I know that.

Youssef Dib (R) pictured with older brother, former world champion Billy Dib.

“We moved into a three-bedroom home six weeks ago (at Roselands). We have been lucky enough to get support from the Housing Commission because of Jibreel’s cerebral palsy.

“That’s helps heaps because I wouldn’t be able to cover the rent completely just doing my boxing. I was in a granny flat for six years.

“There is no lack of motivation for me to get to the very top in boxing. I have wanted that since I was a kid.

“I’m sitting in the top 10 now and I know that massive opportunities are just around the corner.

“Knowing that motivates me and I really do expect to be in those massive fights in 2024.

“The fame and fortune, and everything that comes with it, that’s what I want.

“Once I’ve had my shot and get my closure in boxing, and I’ve given everything I’ve got, there are endless opportunities, whether it be business, opening a gym.

“Right now I am putting everything into boxing to ensure I win a world title.”

Jibreel was born premature but continues to flourish in his short yet challenging life.

“He was born quite early, a 25-week baby,’’ Dib said. “He suffered a lot of complications through a traumatic birth and cerebral palsy came as the result of a brain bleed.

“Jibreel is travelling quite well and has really progressed in ways we didn’t believe were possible.

“He’s running, jumping and doing amazing things but it will be a condition he lives with because there is no cure for cerebral palsy.

“He is behind the kids his age but it’s a slow process. Because of speech and occupational therapy, he is catching up and hitting his straps. He is going at his pace and is kicking so many goals.

“It’s something you are learning about constantly but there’s a lot of hope because of things like early intervention and the help of amazing companies like the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.”

Youssef Dib pictured with his wife Nicole and kids Aaliyah (4) and Jibreel (3). Picture: Julian Andrews

Dib gives up his weekends to move and wash cars at Fine Shine.

“While it’s a good feeling helping my brother (Emaid), I’m there to make ends meet,” Dib said.

“I’m pretty much like a concierge at Fine Shine, it’s a valet service. I check over the cars and fix up anything that is missed.

“I was working there full-time before I realised I needed to take boxing seriously to achieve my goals.

“There are times when you need to get in there and chamois down a car. There’s no shame in helping out washing a car.

“It’s a tough life for anyone living their life as an athlete. It requires a lot of discipline and focus.

“We miss out on a lot of things normal people get to do because of our passion.”

Dib’s last fight was on a No Limit card on July 19 when he beat Miles Zalewski in Moore Park.

He is now due to fight former Olympian Ibrahim Balla in Wollongong on December 6.

Youssef’s retired boxing brother Billy has fought and beaten stomach cancer. Another brother, Jihad Dib, is the Member of Bankstown.

Originally published as Boxer Youssef Dib reveals his fight for success in and out of the ring