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But, the biggest boxing
event in Singapore history has plenty of
subplots on the undercard, and one of them is
that the success of Malaysian up-and-comers
“Miracle” Mirage Khan, Keng Fai Hui and Stephen
Anak Jenggieng could have massive importance to
the popularity and development of the sport in
their native country.
The late, great Muhammad
Ali defended his World Heavyweight Championship
against Joe Bugner in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, but
professional boxing was then non-existent in
Malaysia for over forty years, until a show was
staged there last year.
Less than two hand-fulls of active professional
boxers are currently from Malaysia, and Khan,
Hui and Anak are all among the most promising
prospects. And they all hope that their fights
on May 27 will give the sport a boost back home.
Khan (8-1, 4 KOs), also known as Muhammad
Meeraj, is further along in his development than
Hui and Anak. Last year he won the UBO
Asia-Pacific Light Heavyweight title, and this
past February he added the UBO Inter-Continental
title to his resume. Both fights took place in
Singapore.
On May 27 he will defend
both those titles, and try to win the vacant IBO
Oceania crown, when he takes on tough New
Zealand warrior Chase Haley (3-1, 1 KO), who,
like Khan, is also a very accomplished MMA
fighter.
The hope is that Khan in
the not too distant future can put himself in
line for a world title-shot, perhaps against UBO
King Ryan Ford. If victorious, a title-defense
on home soil would undoubtedly be the most
significant boxing event in Malaysia since Ali
fought Bugner.
“Mirage
Khan has gone through a very significant
development in the last year or so”, said
promoter Scott O`Farrell.
“If
he wins on May 27, and it is not going to be an
easy task, we would like to start looking at
lining him up for a world title-shot. That could
come in a rematch with Ford, the only guy who
has beaten Khan so far, but it could also come
against someone else. If Khan lands, he can
knock anybody out!”
Khan is focused on Haley, but admits that he has
bigger dreams for the future, saying:
“I
look past no-one, but Haley is in my way of
reaching my goal. I want to be world champion
one day, and for that to happen I must knock
Chase Haley out or at least beat him
convincingly. This is another step on my way to
becoming the biggest boxing star Malaysia has
ever had.”
Keng Fai Hui and Stephen
Anak are also faced with massive opportunities
at Resorts World Sentosa. If they win, and Khan
also wins his fight, Malaysia will be off to an
excellent new beginning in professional boxing,
with three reigning champions.
Hui made his pro debut on
The Roar Of Singapore I (February 17), and
scored an impressive first round knockout. Now,
in only his second fight, he will challenge for
the vacant UBO Asia-Pacific Welterweight title
against undefeated Indonesian Indra Anser (2-0).
Anak will challenge UBO
Asia-Pacific Cruiserweight Champion Ben Kelleher
(3-0-2, 2 KOs) from New Zealand, in what is also
a very early title-opportunity. It is safe to
say that he enters that bout as the underdog,
but definitely a live one.
With little, or no,
foundation to build their careers in Malaysia,
this trio must be fast-tracked to the top, and
they are all happy to carry the hopes of a
nation on their shoulders.
***
The Roar Of Singapore
II – The Pride Of Singapore on May 27 at
Resorts World Sentosa will feature ten
championship fights, including four world title
fights.
Muhamad Ridhwan (7-0, 6
KOs) vs. Fadhili Majia (20-8-4, 9 KOs) for the
UBO World Super Featherweight title will be one
of two headlining bouts, along with Canada’s
undefeated UBO World Light
Heavyweight Champion Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford
(11-0, 7 KOs), defending against Robert Berridge
(29-6-1, 21 KOs) from New Zealand.
For
further information, please contact Scott
Patrick Farrell on
scott@ringstar-boxing.com or Phone
numbers:
+65 87 999 100 (Mobile) / +65 652 197 55
(Office).
***
Tickets are
available from:
http://www.getwaave.com
Ringstar
Management on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ringstarboxing
***
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