New, tougher opponent for Ridhwan
After weekend action, Singapore pro Ridhwan will now take on Indonesian star on Nov 12
The knockout occurred 4,000km away, but it was felt all the way in Singapore, by local professional boxer Ridhwan Ahmad.
Ridhwan (above), 29, was scheduled to face the Philippines' Nathan Bolcio in an eight-round fight at the Singapore Fighting Championships (SFC) 4 event at the Foo Chow Building on Nov 12.
But Bolcio was sent crashing to the canvas in a fight against Aussie Nathaniel May in Western Australia last Saturday.
The defeat meant the 26-year-old was ruled out of SFC 4, as professional boxing rules state that automatic medical suspensions ranging from 45 days to 90 days kick in for boxers who are knocked out in fights, depending on the sanctioning organisation.
As a result, Ridhwan now faces a daunting test against Indonesia's top-ranked super-featherweight Rivo Rengkung at SFC 4.
Rengkung, 32, is ranked 130th in the world in his weight division (Bolcio is ranked 221st), and boasts 35 wins (with 13 KOs) from 64 fights.
SFC promoter Arvind Lalwani explained to The New Paper: "(Bolcio) took a fight in Australia and got knocked out in 38 seconds, so I had to find a replacement fighter.
"Rivo is a highly regarded fighter and he's had over 60 fights, and some of these have been against top guys.
"I had his manager's contact, he wanted to fight in Singapore, so we made it happen."
Multi-SEA Games medallist Ridhwan is excited to test himself against Rengkung.
The Singaporean has won all four of his fights since turning professional in February, with three of them knockouts.
The longest bout has gone four rounds, when he earned a majority-points win in his debut against Filipino Melchor Roda.
PREPARATION
Ridhwan, who provides regular updates on his training progress on his "rid1.legends" instagram account, told TNP: "In terms of preparation, not much has changed really.
"Our training has always been geared for me to prepare for anything that comes.
"From his record, I can say he is a tough guy. He's durable and can take punches.
"I'm going to need good fitness to last eight rounds, because he has gone the distance in a number of his fights, some against some good names.
"I know I just have to physically and mentally prepare for whatever scenario that could present itself. And I'll be ready."
Lalwani is thrilled to welcome a fighter of the calibre of Rengkung, and says the Indonesian's presence on the card - headlined by a World Boxing Association Oceania super-featherweight title fight between Singapore's Nurshahidah Roslie and New Zealand's Gentiane Lupi - highlights the growth of local professional boxing.
"We need to improve, and the only way to improve is to face better opponents," said the former national amateur boxer.
"Once we are beating people of (Rengkung's) calibre regularly, then we're on the way to being world class."
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