KUCHING: Muay Thai sensation Muhammad Mikail ‘Miki’ Ghazali Zulfikar delivered a stunning victory after defeating an opponent 10 years his senior at the 2025 Wilayah Pahlawan International Championship on Feb 22.
The 15-year old athlete, who is representing Rentap Muay Thai Gym, outclassed Morocco’s Said El Matador, 25, with a composed yet commanding performance to secure a unanimous decision win for Bout 8 of the championship held at Stadium Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur.
Miki, the younger brother of ONE Championship fighter Mohammad Johan ‘Jojo’ Ghazali, made an explosive start, landing sharp combinations in the opening round that left Said struggling to respond.
The 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) gold medallist ramped up the pressure in the second round, forcing his opponent onto the back foot while maintaining control of the exchanges.
Despite a late push from Said in the final round, Miki’s discipline and precision ensured he stayed ahead, sealing victory on the judges’ scorecards.
The win earned him the Wilayah Pahlawan Championship belt, sponsored by Tourism Malaysia, and sent the Titiwangsa Stadium crowd into celebration.
Meanwhile, fellow Rentap Muay Thai Gym athlete Kabilan Jelevan, 25, also basked in a champion’s glory after defeating Red Wolves’ Hasril Nazmi ‘The Dancing Boy’, 28, in the Super 4 finals yesterday following their respective semis-match up win on Feb 21.
Making the first strike, the 25-year-old fighter shed no hesitation in laying down light jabs to test out the 28-year old veteran’s defences and mettle as they continue to gauge and read each other’s movement in the first round.
Although Nazmi had a change of strategy, Kabilan’s aggressive playbook proved to be too much for him despite trailblazing the second round with a barrage of powerhouse movements towards the Sarawakian.
Kabilan, merciless in his pursuit for the belt, left Nazmi with no room to breathe as the Sarawakian fighter’s relentless barrage in the last round drove the Red Wolves’ athlete flinging towards the ring ropes with every blow struck.
Ultimately, Kabilan was crowned the winner of the Super 4 bout by unanimous vote – walking home with the coveted Wilayah Pahlawan Championship belt.’
The Wilayah Pahlawan International Championship is a two-day sporting event that began on Feb 21.
