KOTA KINABALU: July,16 2026 – The roar of the crowd reverberating around the ring seems to fade the moment the bell sounds. All that remains is the increasingly rapid thud of the heartbeat, a sharp focus on the opponent, and the voice of the coach acting as a guiding compass.
According to Sabah’s female boxer, Meredy Micheal, 22, from Papar, that moment represents the true test requiring both physical and mental fortitude. Inside the ring, every movement must be controlled, and every attack carefully calculated.
However, Meredy’s journey into boxing did not begin with gloves and a ring. Her interest in combat sports started at the age of six, through taekwondo. After several years in that discipline, she tried Muay Thai for three years before deciding to switch to boxing in 2024.
According to Meredy, her decision to try boxing was initially driven by her interest in combat sports and the desire for a new challenge, but the experience only deepened her passion.
“Because I like combat sports and extreme sports, I tried boxing. Over time, I became hooked on this sport,” she said.
In preparation for the BAM Championship, Meredy underwent nearly a month of intensive training in Manila, the Philippines, to boost her fitness levels and boxing skills. Her daily routine begins as early as 5am with a jog of between two and five kilometres, followed by more demanding drills.
A boxer’s preparation relies not only on physical strength but also on discipline and the ability to control emotions when under pressure in the ring. Sharing her experience inside the ring, she said the competitive environment demands complete focus, to the point where only the coach’s instructions and her own heartbeat command her attention.
“From my experience, once I enter the ring, I don’t hear anything. I only hear the coach and my own heartbeat,” she said.
Nevertheless, crowd support still plays an essential role, particularly in difficult moments during a bout. According to her, the cheers from supporters can provide an extra boost of energy when stamina begins to wane.
As one of the active female boxers in the sport, Meredy hopes more women will dare to try boxing, given that the number of female athletes participating remains small. She said boxing not only tests physical strength but also builds self-confidence, discipline, and mental resilience.
Behind her achievements so far, Meredy acknowledges that her parents’ support has been her greatest driving force since her first day in combat sports. In addition to her family, she also appreciates the guidance of her coaches from Manila, who have helped sharpen her skills and preparation as a boxer.
As the BAM Championship approaches, Meredy hopes the public will come out to support the athletes competing. Every cheer from the crowd, she said, serves as fuel to keep fighting and to prove the capability of this Sabahan female boxer on the competition stage.
