Gold Coast’s Jacob Ng to battle Valentine Hosokawa in his toughest fight to date
Undefeated Gold Coast lightweight Jacob Ng knows how to make a grand entrance in the boxing ring, and it will be no different when he takes on Japan’s Valentine Hosokawa in his toughest fight yet.
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“Oh, do a little dance, make a little love,
Get down tonight, get down tonight.’’
It’s the soundtrack to Jacob Ng fight nights, when gyrating like a male stripper, with a pink boa draped around his neck and his shaved, tattooed head glistening with sweat, the undefeated Gold Coast lightweight makes his entrance into the boxing ring.
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Get Down Tonight by KC and the Sunshine Band will be pumping again at The Star, Gold Coast on March 7 as Australia’s most flamboyant fighter faces his toughest challenge yet.
The undefeated Ng, who has held the Australian and world youth lightweight titles, battles rugged Japanese slugger Valentine Hosokawa on a huge fight card that also sees bouts featuring world No.2 light-welterweight Liam Paro and world-ranked heavyweight Demsey McKean.
Ng became serious about boxing aged 10 after being beaten up by a girl and has also competed internationally in jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.
At 180cm and 61kg, he was given the nickname “The Flamingo’’ for his long, skinny legs by his great friend Jordan Coe, a Scottish Muay Thai fighter who died of suspected heat stroke while trying to make weight for a bout in Thailand three years ago.
Ng grew up watching his dad Stephen Ng boxing and spent most days at his father’s Matrix Gym at Ashmore.
His father hopes to take Jacob to a world title within 12 months but realises the 38-year-old Hosokawa represents a formidable challenge.
“Hosokawa is very strong, very tough, experienced and relentless,’’ Stephen Ng said.
“Jacob knows how to use his height and reach well and also has an excellent infighting game. But he knows he has to be very careful with this opponent because so much is riding on the line. A win over Hosokawa will push him right into the world title mix.’’
Ng, 25, the world No.11, is unbeaten in 13 pro fights while Hosokawa has a record of 25 wins and three draws in 35 starts.
“This is the highlight of my career,’’ Hosokawa said, “and the biggest fight I’ve had so far. Ng is a good fighter. He’s tall, he’s fast and he’s entertaining. But I’m definitely going to bring the fight to him.’’
Originally published as Gold Coast’s Jacob Ng to battle Valentine Hosokawa in his toughest fight to date