Figure 1: The Colosseum Gym held the Ultimate Beatdown event, including matches ranging from Featherweight to Super Heavyweight. (Photo by: Carin Chua)

The Ultimate Beatdown 48 took place in Johor Bahru last Saturday.

Boxers from Singapore, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries gathered to face their match-up opponents to win the Welterweight title belt.

Some Singaporean boxers had the chance to participate in the tournament to gain exposure.

Abdul Halim Bin Rosli, 27, is the head coach of Blessed MMA Singapore and fixes boxing matches for the gym’s fighters.

“Times are changing, and local boxers are finally getting the recognition they deserve on the international stage,” Halim said.

Getting a fight overseas is challenging for Singapore boxers, but securing one can open more doors in a boxer’s career.

Muhammad Ridhuan Bin Osman Pitchay, 26, a Welterweight boxer representing Blessed MMA Singapore, was one of the few boxers from Singapore who secured his spot for this Ultimate Beatdown 48.

In his ten years of boxing in Singapore, Blessed MMA was the first gym to set up an international fight for him. 

Figure 2: With limited boxing tournaments and adequate fighters in the proper weight classes, boxers take every chance to improve their fight record. (Photo by: Carin Chua)

For local boxers who wish to increase their chances of fighting locally and internationally, choosing gyms affiliated with other gyms might give them a better fighting chance.

“If you train with a gym that holds tournaments, you might get unspoken preferential treatment due to the tournament being held on home ground,” Ridhuan said.

Boxers who choose to fight for gyms with more gym affiliations stand a higher chance of having the opportunity to fight at boxing matches.

Funding for the Singapore Boxing Federation (SBF) is limited, and most boxers must fund themselves for training and fights.

However, with more funding from the SBF, local fighters could access better training equipment and have more opportunities to gain recognition on the international stage.

“We should attempt to promote boxing more as it is something that Singapore has the potential to excel in,” Halim said.

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