KUALA LUMPUR − Renowned American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., who holds the record of 50 consecutive wins, had won many die-hard fans around the world before retiring in 2017.
It is no surprise that Malaysia’s budding boxer Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum Ariffin also looks up to him for inspiration and lessons.
Qaiyum admitted to studying the moves of Mayweather via video to pick up some lethal blows as preparation for his outing at the SEA Games in Hanoi next month.
“Mayweather is my boxing idol and I know he has his own punches, attacks and defence styles.
“Even though the SEA Games and Olympic Games are in the amateur category while Mayweather is a professional, his skills are applicable in the ring,” he said when met by Bernama recently.
While it would be his debut at the biennial championship, the 20-year-old boxer is beaming with confidence and is determined to rake in the gold in the 52kg event in Hanoi.
Nonetheless, the boxer from Perak is expected to face some tough opponents from the host country Thailand and the Philippines in his effort to deliver a memorable performance at Bac Ninh Gymnasium.
“I am not the best but what I am sure is to give my best and to deliver a gold for the country,” he added.
The 2018 Penang International Boxing Competition champion was satisfied with the national joint camp in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, and is currently undertaking his final preparations for the SEA Games during Ramadan.
The Hanoi SEA Games is scheduled from May 12-23. – Bernama, April 26, 2022
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