Ridhwan wants revenge
The Ambunda camp will wait and see what offer the Singapore boxer comes up with, in terms of a rematch in the featherweight division.
12 October 2018 | Sports
Singapore boxer Muhamad 'Chosen Wan' Ridhwan, who is still smarting from losing his IBO super bantamweight title to Paulus 'El Jesus' Ambunda in his own backyard on 29 September, now wants the Namibian to fight him for a vacant featherweight world title.
The formerly undefeated Ridhwan is calling out Ambunda, following his split-decision loss.
Ambunda (38) clinched the IBO title after two of the three judges scored the fight against Ridhwan in his favour.
Ridhwan now claims he has learnt that his body was not able to function 100% at super bantamweight level.
“So for the rematch to happen, it will have to be at featherweight, but I'm not sure if Ambunda's team will want to explore that option,” Ridhwan said during an exclusive interview with Namibian Sun.
“I don't mean to take anything away from Paulus. He was the better man that night. He is a good fighter with a warrior fighting style, coming forward relentlessly. I'm sure he thought I would crumble in the later rounds but I didn't.
“He knows there were plenty of shots that he missed when on the inside. If the fight happens again, I will use my legs a bit more to box and in the later rounds use my strength to slowly push him and make him fight going backwards,” Ridhwan said.
He, however, congratulated Ambunda's team.
“Much respect to them for earning the victory.”
Ambunda's trainer and promoter from the AC Boxing and Fitness Academy, Immanuel 'Imms' Moses, said they will not be entertaining Ridhwan at this stage.
“Ridhwan was already competing in the featherweight division and moved to bantamweight. It might be that his trainer noticed something and brought him to bantamweight. At the moment his need to change divisions will not do him any good,” Moses said.
However, Moses added he will wait and see what offer Ridhwan's camp comes up with.
“If it is beneficial to us, we will consider it and still beat him, but right now Ambunda is comfortable at bantamweight. But if Ridhwan is serious, there are guys in my camp who I can offer him - Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas to be precise. He is a featherweight,” Moses said boldly.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
The formerly undefeated Ridhwan is calling out Ambunda, following his split-decision loss.
Ambunda (38) clinched the IBO title after two of the three judges scored the fight against Ridhwan in his favour.
Ridhwan now claims he has learnt that his body was not able to function 100% at super bantamweight level.
“So for the rematch to happen, it will have to be at featherweight, but I'm not sure if Ambunda's team will want to explore that option,” Ridhwan said during an exclusive interview with Namibian Sun.
“I don't mean to take anything away from Paulus. He was the better man that night. He is a good fighter with a warrior fighting style, coming forward relentlessly. I'm sure he thought I would crumble in the later rounds but I didn't.
“He knows there were plenty of shots that he missed when on the inside. If the fight happens again, I will use my legs a bit more to box and in the later rounds use my strength to slowly push him and make him fight going backwards,” Ridhwan said.
He, however, congratulated Ambunda's team.
“Much respect to them for earning the victory.”
Ambunda's trainer and promoter from the AC Boxing and Fitness Academy, Immanuel 'Imms' Moses, said they will not be entertaining Ridhwan at this stage.
“Ridhwan was already competing in the featherweight division and moved to bantamweight. It might be that his trainer noticed something and brought him to bantamweight. At the moment his need to change divisions will not do him any good,” Moses said.
However, Moses added he will wait and see what offer Ridhwan's camp comes up with.
“If it is beneficial to us, we will consider it and still beat him, but right now Ambunda is comfortable at bantamweight. But if Ridhwan is serious, there are guys in my camp who I can offer him - Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas to be precise. He is a featherweight,” Moses said boldly.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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