A man and a woman have been detained by the police in connection with the assault of national boxer Muhamad Farkhan Mohd Haron by a group in Taman Molek last Sunday.

The suspects, in their 20s and 30s, were picked up at separate locations on Monday.

The duo were remanded for six days to facilitate investigations on whether the assault on the 2009 Laos SEA Games gold medallist was fuelled by revenge.

While eight statements have been recorded in connection with the assault, so far, Johor police chief Deputy Comm Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said seven more people were sought to assist in the investigations.

He said the 24-year-old boxer’s statement had yet to be recorded as he was unable to speak due to a broken jaw.

“We are investigating whether it (the assault) involved revenge or otherwise,” he told reporters in Johor Baru today.

On claims that one of the suspects was the son of a VIP, he said no information relating to the case would be concealed or compromised in relation to any individual.

Muhamad Farkhan has been warded at the Puteri Specialist Hospital in Johor Baru for head and body injuries.

The Johor-born athlete was set upon by the group after watching the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool with his friends.

Two others who were also injured in the incident are being treated at a hospital in Johor Baru.

- Bernama