For most fighters, the goal is to become a world champion. That objective gives them a reason to push themselves in training camp, run the extra miles and stray away from unhealthy food choices.

But despite doing all the right things, for most, reaching the top of the sport isn’t realistic. Yet for Sadam Ali, all of his hard work paid off in the form of the WBO 154-pound title. His 2017 win over Miguel Cotto may have placed him on the map, but his time on top was short-lived.

Things haven’t exactly gone right for Ali since that night in New York’s Madison Square Garden. After losing his belt to Jaime Munguia in May 2018, he grabbed just one more win before a third-round stoppage defeat by Anthony Young in 2019.

That appeared to be the end for the Brooklyn native. But a funny thing happened. The itch came back.

Although it's been six years since he was last seen in a ring, the 36-year-old returns this coming weekend in Detroit, Michigan, at Wayne State Fieldhouse against Cody Wilson.

Ali (27-3, 14 KOs) says he isn’t hurting for money. He still drives around in luxury vehicles and rocks designer clothes. He knows what it feels like to be a champion.

So why exactly is he coming back? His answer is obvious and simple.

“I’m a fighter,” Ali told The Ring. “This is what I do.”

Wilson, a 31-year-old journeyman, views this as his Super Bowl, but Ali knows how the script is supposed to play out. The question is, what may happen next?

As he looks around the junior middleweight division, he notices things are completely different. Cotto rode off into the sunset a while ago, Munguia campaigns at super middleweight and all of the beltholders are fairly new to the championship scene.

At home, when he walks by his trophy case, he stops and smiles at the WBO title he once held.

Dust, however, is collecting on his hardware and it's a bit lonely. Ali, while noncommittal about chasing another belt, isn't ruling out a run.

“I’ve done it before. Anything is possible,” he said. “I’m open to almost anything.”

He doesn't want to be dismissive of his next opponent. Before he gets caught up in thinking about more gold, he wants to keep Wilson front of mind.

“First things first, I have to win and look good,” Ali said. “We’ll see what happens from there.”