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Singaporean boxer Muhamad Ridhwan's uphill fight for his sport's prominence

Singapore boxer Muhamad Ridhwan (right) fighting Namibia’s Paulus Ambunda for the IBO world super-bantamweight title at Marina Bay Sands on 29 September, 2018. (Photo: Facebook/Ringstar Boxing)
Singapore boxer Muhamad Ridhwan (right) fighting Namibia’s Paulus Ambunda for the IBO world super-bantamweight title at Marina Bay Sands on 29 September, 2018. (Photo: Facebook/Ringstar Boxing)

It was the most important fight of his life, one which would have either propelled him into recognition among the global boxing fraternity, or set him back severely in his promising career path.

Up against the toughest opponent in his two-year professional boxing career, Singapore’s Muhamad Ridhwan fought through 12 rounds but lost narrowly via a split decision to Namibia’s Paulus Ambunda at the Roar of Singapore – The Kings of Lion City fight event at Marina Bay Sands on Saturday (29 September).

It was his first loss after 12 professional fights. Had he beaten Ambunda in the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) world super-bantamweight title fight, the 30-year-old would have elevated himself into prominence in the boxing world, joining the likes of current IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua of Britain.

The IBO is considered the biggest organisation outside the traditional “Big Four” of the World Boxing Organisation, World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council. Boxing superstars Manny Pacquiao (super-lightweight), Floyd Mayweather Jr (welterweight) and Gennady Golovkin (middleweight) all once held IBO titles early in their careers.

Back in his dressing room after the bout, Ridhwan fielded questions from reporters calmly, even though disappointment was clearly etched on his face.

“I’ll come back. I always come back,” he said, echoing his words inside the ring in front of an appreciative crowd after the bout.

“I’m disappointed that I didn’t win, of course. I tried my best, but tonight was just not my night.”

Saturday’s loss was another hurdle to overcome for Ridhwan in a career that is the solitary bright spot for a sport which was in the doldrums in Singapore when he first turned pro in 2016, after winning three bronze medals in three Southeast Asia Games (2011, 2013 and 2015).

Few took boxing seriously, with most youngsters unwilling to subject themselves to painful blows to the body, and then inflicting them back on their opponents. The sport, which enjoyed its heyday in Singapore during the late 1960s and the 1970s, was in danger of sinking without a trace.

While it would be wrong to say that boxing has returned to mainstream prominence, Ridhwan believes that he has helped to grow a small but dedicated base of boxing enthusiasts, and he also sees more youngsters taking to the gruelling sport after his exploits.

“For sure, it was difficult when I first started out, but I’m very proud to be a trailblazer for a rising group of professional boxers in Singapore. It doesn’t feel so lonely anymore, now that there is a group of local boxers from different weight classes who also want to look for opportunities to make a career out of boxing,” he said.

Indeed, the last two years have seen Singapore boxers Hamzah Farouk and Rafi Majid winning their professional bouts held in the Republic. Saturday’s event, organised by Ringstar Management, saw Singaporeans Efasha Kamarudin and Darryl Edmund Kho participate in undercard fights.

Ringstar Management founder Scott O’Farrell has no doubt that Ridhwan is the brightest star who can stand on his own against world-class boxers.

Said the Briton, who is also Ridhwan’s manager, “He has the potential, and more importantly, he has the drive and focus to succeed. Ridhwan may not have won against Ambunda, but he showed he is ready.”

An 11-0 start to his pro career helped, as Ridhwan carries an air of quiet confidence and disciplined dedication in training, something which his coach, Rey Caitom Jr, admires.

Said the 32-year-old Filipino, who has trained Ridhwan for the past two years, “Some boxers can be arrogant. They may not listen to advice from their coaches, or refuse to follow the strategy plan during fights. Not Ridhwan. He is humble, listens to my instructions, and trains with the right intensity from start till end. He’s got the right attitude to learn and improve.”

The only drawback to that intense focus, Caitom believes, is that Ridhwan occasionally puts too much pressure on himself.

“Sometimes he would be unsure of whether he can reach his ambition, whether he can win his next fight. But I always tell him, ‘Come on, we can do this’ and eventually he will respond positively,” he said.

Such is the burden on the man who has dubbed himself “The Chosen Wan”. Despite Saturday’s loss, Ridhwan would have been encouraged by the numerous fans who sought for selfie opportunities with him.

“Even the greats have lost,” he said. “It’s all about coming back. I’m still hungry to win.”

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