Papua New Guinea Professional boxer John “The Ringmonster” Ume says his interim welterweight title is an important milestone, but he is already focused on the work still ahead.

Ume returned to Papua New Guinea on Monday after defeating Hamza Perwaisy by seventh-round technical knockout in New Zealand on October 3 to claim the BX-9 interim welterweight title.

At a press conference today at the Sanctuary Hotel Resort & Spa in Port Moresby, hotel co-owner and main supporter James Pang congratulated Ume on his victory.

Pang said the Pang family and the hotel were proud of the boxer’s achievement and pleased to support an athlete he described as humble and a true champion.

Ume thanked the Pang family and the hotel for backing his professional career.

He added that the environment of the hotel provides him with the quietness, peace, and relaxing atmosphere, which is something that he likes to engage in as an athlete to regain his composure and strength physically and mentally.

The bout was initially scheduled against Riley Allen, who was set to challenge Ume for the title. Allen withdrew after sustaining an injury in a recent fight, and Perwaisy stepped in as his replacement.

Ume said he entered the bout with a structured plan, although his team urged him to apply pressure from the opening bell. He worked to unsettle Perwaisy in the early rounds before landing a clean shot to the temple in the seventh, bringing the fight to an end.

Talks are now under way between the two camps about a possible fight with Allen, potentially in February or March 2027. Ume said the timing would depend on Allen’s recovery.

“There are talks currently going on with my team and Riley’s team for a title fight, maybe early February or March next year. It will all depend on how soon he recovers,” Ume said.

For Ume, the interim title is not a reason to slow down. He credited his team for the work behind the victory and said they were still growing as they prepared for greater challenges.

“We all worked hard for this. Yes, we won the interim title, but this is only the start. Bigger things may come,” he said.

Despite the achievement, Ume said he does not yet consider himself a fully established champion.

“People call me an interim champion, but I’m still working to become a champion,” he said.

Ume’s approach reflects the discipline expected of a successful athlete: commitment, hard training, attention to detail, and the ability to follow a game plan.

With his next challenge still to be confirmed, he says he will keep training while his management handles discussions and promotion for future fights.