MALAYSIA’s Mohammed 'Jordan Boy' Mahmoud (31-2) did not have it easy when he began his Muay Thai journey.
Then only a 17-year-old, he was forced to spar and train with experienced athletes at Sampuri Muay Thai Gym in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Those sessions taught him an immensely valuable lesson in respect.
“During the start of my career, it was hard for me as my coach would pair me with experienced people,” Mohammed recalled.
“It taught me a lot about respect. They were better than me, and [respect] is a lesson which I still bring to the stage.”
READ: 3 reasons why Jordan Boy will leave Manila victorious
On Friday, 25 January, expect Mohammed to bring out a hungrier and more respectful version of himself when he takes on Japan’s Hiroaki “Kaibutsukun” Suzuki (40-11-1, 1 NC) at ONE: HERO’S ASCENT in Manila, Philippines.
The ONE Super Series Muay Thai bout will be contested in the bantamweight division, and both competitors will wear 4-ounce mixed martial arts gloves.
Mohammed already enjoyed a sweet debut in December, where he knocked out Stergos “Greek Dynamite” Mikkios at ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS in Kuala Lumpur.
The Kedah-born striker is hoping to extend his ONE Championship winning streak to two this coming Friday.
Despite being confident of victory, “Jordan Boy” knows his opponent will bring out the best in him.
“He is a good athlete. I respect him, but when the bell rings, we need to carry out our job,” he said.
“After the match, I will speak to him and befriend him. I have big respect for my opponent.”
Though this will be Mohammed’s 34th professional bout, it will mark his first battle in Manila.
It is a completely new experience for the young Malaysian, but he is enjoying every second of it.
“Manila is such a nice place,” he said. “Everyone here is so nice. I’m really happy to be here, and I hope to have another match here one day.”
Mohammed’s trip so far has proven to be a memorable outing as he managed to meet ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who wished him a good battle ahead on his recent Instagram post.
“Best of luck bro,” he wrote. “You’re an exciting fighter with solid technique. Go out there and unleash your greatness upon the world and make Malaysia proud!"
Astro Awani
Fri Jan 25 2019
On Friday, 25 January, expect Mohammed to bring out a hungrier and more respectful version of himself when he takes on Japans Hiroaki Suzuki. - ONE photo
Tun Hanif selamat dikebumi di sebelah pusara anak
Jenazah Allahyarham Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Bukit Kiara, jam 3.17 petang Sabtu.
JKM tunggu siasatan lengkap polis sebelum ambil tindakan lanjut
Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri bmengesahkan pihak JKM sudah menemui mangsa buli berusia lapan tahun dan kesemua yang terlibat untuk dirakam percakapan
Kerajaan komited noktahkan kemiskinan tegar di Sabah - PM Anwar
Perdana Menteri percaya hubungan erat kerajaan Persekutuan dan kerajaan Sabah yanmampu memainkan peranan penting dalam merealisasi hasrat tersebut.
Pemergian Tun Hanif kerugian buat negara - Musa Hassan
Pemergian bekas Ketua Polis Negara (KPN) Tun Mohammad Hanif Omar adalah satu kerugian buat negara.
Bekas KPN kelapan Tan Sri Musa Hassan menyifatkan Allahyarham sebagai ketua yang tegas dan amat peduli dengan pegawai bawahan ketika bersama PDRM.
Bekas KPN kelapan Tan Sri Musa Hassan menyifatkan Allahyarham sebagai ketua yang tegas dan amat peduli dengan pegawai bawahan ketika bersama PDRM.
Kompaun RM1.4 juta kesalahan merokok sepanjang Mac
KKM mengeluarkan 5,549 kompaun dengan nilai tawaran berjumlah RM1.4 juta pada Mac.
Jenazah disemadikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Bukit Kiara
Jenazah bekas Ketua Polis Negara, Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar akan disemadikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Bukit Kiara.
Ahli keluarga, saudara mara dan kepimpinan tertinggi PDRM dilihat sudah berada di tanah perkuburan tersebut.
Perincian lanjut, bersama Ridauddin Daud yang berada di lokasi.
Ahli keluarga, saudara mara dan kepimpinan tertinggi PDRM dilihat sudah berada di tanah perkuburan tersebut.
Perincian lanjut, bersama Ridauddin Daud yang berada di lokasi.
Kadar capaian internet di sekolah di Melaka memuaskan - Exco
Kerajaan Negeri Melaka akan terus mempertingkatkan kadar capaian internet di semua sekolah termasuk di kawasan luar bandar walaupun kini ia berada pada tahap memuaskan.
AWANI Ringkas: Selesaikan segera isu kewarganegaraan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Sultan Selangor zahir ucapan takziah kepada keluarga Tun Hanif Omar
Turut menzahirkan ucapan takziah ialah Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
TH anjur Kursus Perdana Haji bermula hari ini hingga 5 Mei 2024
Sepanjang kursus selama satu setengah hari ini, bakal-bakal haji akan melalui praktikal seperti bertawaf, sa'ie, melontar jamrah dan ibadat haji lain secara berkumpulan.