Ra’eese Aleem is on the cusp of his sacrifices being worth it.

Aleem (23-1, 12 KOs) will get his first world title shot when he faces IBF featherweight champion Angelo Leo on Saturday at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, on DAZN.

“It'd mean everything,” Aleem told The Ring. “I would make history from my hometown. I'll be the first world champion to ever come from Muskegon, Michigan, and just being an underdog my whole career, having to do things by myself and just figuring things out, it would mean everything.”

Aleem, The Ring’s No. 9-ranked featherweight, positioned himself to face Leo (26-1, 12 KOs) after upsetting previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano by unanimous decision on November 24 in Japan. The win was Aleem’s third straight since suffering his lone loss, a split decision defeat to Sam Goodman in Australia in 2023.

The lessons from going into opposing territory to face Goodman proved fruitful for Aleem, 35, against Nakano.

“I felt like I didn't get beat, but they took the fight away from me, so that was in the back of my mind,” Aleem said. “The difference in this fight [versus Nakano], I was able to separate. I dropped him. I believe I dominated that fight, stayed composed and stuck to my game plan.”

The win over Nakano also affirmed to Aleem that he needed to trust himself more. Since losing to Goodman, Aleem decided to train himself and organize every aspect of his training camp.

Handling everything on his own, along with blocking out outside noise, has helped spur his recent run.

“What I found is every time I listen to Ra’eese “The Beast” Aleem and do what I feel is right, everything comes out in my favor,” Aleem said. “Instead of fighting it, I just embraced it.”

Leo, of Las Vegas, Nevada, is a familiar face for Aleem. The two sparred on multiple occasions in Las Vegas in 2020. Both fighters downplayed the impact, given the difference between sparring and a world title fight and the time that has elapsed.

“He's a great fighter,” Aleem said. “He's been a great fighter his whole career. He's more of a technical fighter, and he's a pressure fighter and boxer. It's going to be a very electric fight.”

Leo, The Ring’s No. 2-ranked featherweight, went into enemy territory in his lone title defense, beating Tomoki Kameda by majority decision in Japan in May 2025.

If Aleem can get past Leo, 31, he hopes unification bouts will be on the horizon. Aleem said he nearly landed fights against WBO champion Rafael Espinoza and WBA titleholder Brandon Figueroa, but they never materialized.

Aleem has also sparred WBC champion Bruce Carrington, but any hopes of landing those fights will depend on whether he can make the most of the opportunity he’s long sought.

“I've made the ultimate sacrifice to get to where I'm at now, but the job and the journey isn't over,” Aleem said. “I have to execute and do whatever it takes to get this win.”