When Ringstar Boxing CEO Scott Farrell visited the Philippines, he brought with him Muhamad “The Chosen Wan” Ridhwan, 30, of Singapore and Jeson Umbal, 21, of the Philippines. While in the country, the three, along with their team, visited Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
After visiting Pacquiao, Farrell, Umbal and Ridhwan faced the Filipino media in an open workout at the Kerry Sports Gym in Taguig, Metro Manila. Prior to the open workout, I had a brief interview with Umbal.
On April 20, 2018, Umbal and Ridhwan will headline “Roar of Singapore IV: The Night of Champions” at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. The winner will become the new International Boxing Organization (IBO) Intercontinental Featherweight Champion.
Umbal is aware that competing against Ridhwan is a tough challenge. The Filipino boxer even likened his Singaporean opponent to Pacquiao.
This is because Ridhwan is currently the number one boxer in Singapore in the featherweight division. On the other hand, Umbal currently ranks number 6 in the Philippines in the same division, just behind Albert Pagara, Richard Pumicpic, Jhack Tepora, Mark Magsayo and Nonito Donaire.
According to Umbal, he was only able to shake Pacquiao’s hands when they met and was not able to talk to the boxing legend, who is also an incumbent senator in the Philippines. But like many other boxers, Umbal looks up to Pacquiao.
“I want to achieve even just a portion of what Pacquiao has accomplished,” Umbal told me. For him, it is impossible to become the next Pacquiao but as a boxer, he wants to be inspired the politician-boxer.
Currently, Umbal holds a professional boxing record of 16 wins and 5 losses while Ridhwan has 9 wins and 0 loss. Meanwhile, here is a video featuring Umbal during the open workout at Kerry Sports Gym:
Categories: boxing & kickboxing, Sports
CONAN Daily 