PENAMPANG: Two young boxers from Sabah made their mark by winning their respective categories at the Twins Championship 104, held at Penampang Cultural Hall.
Professional debutant Dzareez Redza Rashdan, better known as “USK,” from Sepanggar, captured attention when he defeated Mikha Skywalker from Selangor via a majority decision after four rounds in the Featherweight 57-kilogram category.
Representing Kota Kinabalu Boxing Club (KKBC), the 25-year-old showcased aggressive techniques, precise ring control, and disciplined performance, earning a unanimous nod from the judges.
With this victory, USK remains undefeated in his professional career, adding to his amateur record of 11 wins and three losses.
Meanwhile, Khairul Azim Hamdani, or “King Azim,” also from Sepanggar, claimed a significant win by defeating Indonesia’s Suryadi Tambunan via unanimous decision after eight rounds in the same Featherweight category.
The victory was particularly meaningful, as Suryadi previously held the number one ranking in Indonesia for his weight class.
The 28-year-old, ranked second in Malaysia, displayed experience, tactical skill, and mental resilience throughout the fight, maintaining control from start to finish.
King Azim’s professional record now stands at five wins and one loss, with an amateur record of 43 wins and 11 losses under the guidance of coach Adzlin Apat at KKBC.
Adzlin remarked that the dual victories reflect KKBC’s growth as a competitive boxing development centre in Sabah, capable of producing professional athletes.
He added that the Twins Championship 104 provided an important platform for Sabah boxers to showcase their talents on higher levels of competitive sport.
“The victories of USK and King Azim are not only personal achievements but also symbolise the rise of boxing in Sabah, proving that local talent can compete nationally and internationally,” he said.
