PADANG BESAR – “No pain, no gain.” That is the message former national boxing great Moideen Said Ali has for aspiring boxers in the country.
Moideen, 70, who won the gold medal in the light middle weight (71kg) category at the 4th Asean Boxing Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 1997, said a boxer must go through “blood, sweat and tears” to successfully make the cut.
“If you are out for fun, forget it. Boxing is not for the faint-hearted. When being an athlete − no matter what the sport − it means we carry the image of the country,” he told Bernama.
He said sports today can be made a career and guarantee one’s future.
“Athletes today are not the same as athletes of yesteryear − like in the 1970s era − who took up sports out of interest without expecting any rewards.
“Athletes today are fortunate because the government is sensitive about their welfare and they are always given attention,” said Moideen, who joined the Malaysian Armed Forces boxing team in 1974.
The father of four said that in his time, they (athletes) only received pocket money of around RM300 as consolation when participating in tournaments abroad, but it was a big sum at that time.
“I advise those, who are new to the sports arena, to work hard because a bright future awaits those who have high ambitions,” he said.
Moideen, who was dubbed “Muhamad Ali of Malaysia” by boxing fans in his heyday because his agility was similar to the legendary boxer, also advised young boxers not to be afraid when facing opponents.
“No matter who our opponents are, there must be no fear irrespective of their nationality. I just have a simple principle, which is: “bila ada orang jual, saya beli” (I do not shy away from a challenge in the ring), he said.
As in boxing, the Johor native, who now lives in Kampung Sungai Serai here, is also not taking it easy in his twilight years.
He is still active − selling young coconut water around Kangar and Arau.
“For me, there is no such thing as ‘shaking my legs’ at home − as long as given my health, I will continue to work,” he said with a smile.
He said that after retiring in 1984, he started a small business selling coconut water and nira water (water from coconut flowers).
“I prefer to find halal sustenance on my own… for me, there is no such thing as one can’t find work. Where there is a will, there is a way,” he said. – Bernama, February 17, 2022
