Boxing

Trương Đình Hoàng of Việt Nam (left) will fight Dae Huyn Beak of South Korea in the WBA Asia super middle weight belt match. — Photos courtesy of Shadow Entertainment

HCM CITY — Việt Nam's largest professional boxing tournament, LEAD: Born to Lead, will be organised on March 25 in HCM City, featuring the first time three WBA title fights will be available at the same venue.

It is the second event in the series of pro LEAD boxing organised by Shadow Entertainment in coordination with the HCM City Boxing Federation. The series is expected to reach international standards and become a strong base for Vietnamese fighters to integrate to the world.

“This will be our first event of the year for which we are anticipating a sellout crowd,” said promoter Jenny Do.

Vietnamese top boxers Trương Đình Hoàng and Lê Hữu Toàn will defend their titles while Nguyễn Ngọc Hải will fight for his first belt in his career.

In his first defence of his super middle weight (76kg) title, 'The King' Hoàng will see challenger Dae Huyn Beak, who is South Korea's No. 1 and WBA Asia No. 11.

Asked about his rival and his many tricks while competing, Hoàng said: "In sport, tricks are available but I know how to manage the match and solve the rival's bad tricks depending on how he performs. Boxing against a younger rival who owns good body form and physique requires strong fitness, especially as the match will be 12 rounds."

"I have prepared for every situation for the match. I think I can perform well based on my experience," Hoàng, 32, said.

For his part, Dae, 25, said that although it was his first time competing abroad he was not afraid of anyone. He was confident that he would bring the belt home.

Dae has fought in five matches since 2018. He won four with three knockouts and one loss.

Meanwhile, Hoàng has had three matches, all with KO victories since 2020.

In the second match, also 12 rounds, Toàn will defend his minimum weight (48kg) title for the second time. He can't wait to take on Garen Diagan from the Philippines.

Lê Hữu Toàn (left) shakes hands with Garen Diagan after their weight-ins. They will fight for the WBA Asia minimum weight belt.

Diagan is a top athlete in his home country and No. 6 in the WBC rankings. The 26-year-old is No. 15 in the world, eight places higher than the Vietnamese representative.

He has recorded nine wins (five KOs) and three losses (one KO).

Toàn, who reached No. 8 in the WBA recently, has fought in six matches, winning all with three KOs.

"My rival is really strong. He has better body form than me. He was really confident at today's weight-ins," Toàn told Việt Nam News.

"But I also believe in me. There is nothing to worry or be nervous about at all. I will win and successfully defend my belt. My coaching team and I have worked hard for months and built up plans for this powerful rival. My fight will be interesting and competitive. Let's see!"

The third fight is between Hải and Campee Phayom of Thailand for 10 rounds.

After five years of fighting as a pro, Hải has recorded seven matches with four wins (three KOs) and three draws.

Phayom has competed in pro boxing for seven years. He has secured 22 wins (14 KOs) in 29 matches.

Although it was his first super light weight (63.5kg) belt bout, Hải targets nothing more than a win on his home turf.

"My coaching team and I have watched his videos," Hải told Việt Nam News. "Yes, he is really strong. He has competed much more than me. On my side, it is my first belt match, but I have had 12 years of boxing experience, and I know how to punch when the time comes."

Nguyễn Ngọc Hải will face powerful Campee Phayom (right) in a 10-round match.

"I have trained well with coaches for a long time in preparation for this match. I am confident in my defence ability and will show off my best in the ring," he said.

Apart from the key matches, there are eight others including Arvin Jhon “AJ” Paciones vs Sarawut Jiamthong (light fly weight); Võ Hồng Đạt vs Rachata Khaophimai (light weight); Avzalbek Kuranbaev vs Bordin Peepueh (super welter weight); and Đoàn Gia Thành vs Đỗ Thành Đô (super fly weight). — VNS