Malaysia’s Asian boxing champ Farkhan targets world title

JOHOR BARU: Asian boxing champion Muhammad Farkhan Haron wants to punch his way into the top 20 next year.

The Johor Baru-born boxer, who currently holds the World Boxing Confederation (WBC) Asia light heavyweight belt and Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) cruiserweight championship, is now in the top 40 in the world.

“I am currently ranked number 39 in the world but my target is to make it into the top 20.

“I am the Asian champion and my next target is to be a world champion but to make that happen, I need to improve on my rankings first,” he added.

Muhammad Farkhan, who holds an undefeated record in six matches, said this when met during the launching of Johor Baru Mayor Boxing Cup 2018 held at Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).

A total of 100 local and international boxers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore, will be taking part in the tournament held at Dewan Muafakat Adda Heights from Oct 20-21.

Farkhan will also train overseas in Thailand and Uzbekistan besides taking part in the Johor Baru Mayor Boxing Cup.

“I will be fighting against Thai boxer Uthit Punsen, who is an experienced boxer. It will help boost my ranking if I win.

“Besides, I’m going to defend my titles in December this year but I am waiting for the confirmation from ABF on who will be my opponent,” he said.

Farkhan added that his preparation for the tournament was slightly interrupted after his wife gave birth to his second child prematurely last week.

“I want to win the match against Uthit not just for me but for my family and boxing in front of my home crowd will give me the motivation I needed to beat him,” said Farkhan.