Sporting Life

Local athletes take brave steps in a hard, professional world

Muhamad Ridhwan is one example of a professional who bleeds and boxes for his daily bread. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
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Muhamad Ridhwan will take his fists to wherever there's a title and a fight. Find a city, put up a ring, offer a purse and he'll show up. His punches travel and he gets hit for money. He's the professional who bleeds and boxes for his daily bread. This is his livelihood and he loves it.

You may wish to swot in law school or frame your medical degree. Very nice. But it's not the only way to make a living, even for Singaporeans. Some people trade in currency, others in pain. Some dive into paperwork, others into pools.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 17, 2019, with the headline Local athletes take brave steps in a hard, professional world. Subscribe