The Heart of a Fighter, The Soul of a Nation

Members of the Chaldean, Assyrian, and Aramean community continue to bring pride and visibility to their heritage on a global scale, including in the world of sports. Just days after Swedish-Syriac football standout Nahier Bisara was honored as the Swedish league’s Best Player and Best Midfielder, another son of the diaspora, undefeated boxer Alex Naaman, has delivered a historic victory of his own.

Born in Athens, Greece, and now based in Sydney, Australia, Naaman carried his unbroken winning streak to 9–0, defeating Filipino contender Kevin Asinero and claiming the Oceania-Orient Super Bantamweight title under the International Boxing Organization. The championship bout took place at La Castelle Hall in Sydney, marking Naaman’s first IBO title win. In his previous fight, he secured the WBC Australia Silver championship, another milestone celebrated across the community.

Naaman’s journey is one marked not only by talent, but resilience. His family immigrated to Australia when he was 12, just two years after the passing of his father—a loss that, as Naaman has shared, shaped his character and pushed him to step into a caretaker role for his younger brother. He entered boxing through his cousin, professional fighter John Kaena, who enrolled him at West Sydney Fighting Club, where he trains under esteemed coach Jason Soro.

What began as an outlet for teenage energy soon became Naaman’s calling—a discipline he embraced fully, transforming it into a rising professional career. Today, his victories extend beyond the ring, serving as a powerful reminder of the strength, perseverance, and excellence within the Chaldean and wider Syriac diaspora.