Boxing

Nguyễn Ngọc Hải (centre) with the WBA Asia South belt after knocking out Campee Phayom of Thailand in the second round of their super lightweight bout on March 25 in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — In a night of thrilling boxing action, Trương Đình Hoàng and Nguyễn Ngọc Hải emerged as the champions in their respective bouts at the LEAD: Born to Lead event held in HCM City on Saturday.

Defending World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia super middleweight champion Hoàng proved too much for his opponent, South Korean Baek Dae Hyun, displaying masterful defence skills that left his challenger struggling to land any meaningful blows.

Despite the challenger's best efforts, Hoàng emerged victorious, earning the admiration of the cheering crowd.

Meanwhile, Hải faced off against Thai opponent Campee Phayom in a highly anticipated bout for the WBA Asia South 10-round super lightweight belt.

The 30-year-old Vietnamese boxer wasted no time in taking control of the ring, using his home turf advantage to launch relentless assaults in spite of Phayom's greater experience.

In the second round, Hải landed a heavy punch on his opponent, causing Phayom to lose his balance.

Hải pounced on the opportunity, unleashing a barrage of head and body shots that left Phayom on the canvas.

Although he regained his feet, Hải knocked him down again. Although Phayom beat the count again, a few seconds after the action restarted the referee decided he had seen enough, stepping in and declaring Hải the victor.

“Thanks to you all for coming here to support my team and me tonight," Hải said, crying tears of happiness. "I am a boxer with Việt Nam blood and spirit, and I do try my best to fight and bring home the WBA Asia South belt. Thank you!”

Trương Việt Hoàng defending his WBA Asia super middleweight belt against South Korean Baek Dae Hyun in a 12-round match. — Photo vietbao.vn

In the later match, Hoàng defeated South Korean Baek Dae Hyun to keep the WBA Asian super middleweight belt in Việt Nam.

Both boxers showed their confidence and strength, trading heavy headshots that left both of them stunned at different points in the fight.

From the seventh round, Hoàng gradually overwhelmed his rival with powerful and precise combinations, though the tenacious South Korean refused to go down.

Baek fought back strongly in the last round, knowing he had to knock Hoàng out to win the fight, but Hoàng weathered the storm

“He is a young and energetic boxer," said Hoàng. "My coaching board and I researched him carefully and set up plans against him."

"I had to suitably distribute my energy for all 12 difficult rounds, keeping him at bay and trying to avoid his punches as much as possible. The home supporters also gave me strength to get the victory.”

Garen Diagan of the Philippines is announced new champion of the WBA Asia minimum weight class. — Photo vietbao.vn

However, the Vietnamese boxers didn't have it all their own way.

In one of the most anticipated matches of the night, local hero and defending champion Lê Hữu Toàn faced off against Filipino boxer Garen Diagan of the Philippines for the WBA Asia minimumweight belt in a closely contested battle.

Toàn fought with all his heart, pushing Diagan to the corner and landing strong hooks, but the Filipino boxer proved to be a master of the counter, evading most of Toàn's attacks and returning retribution.

Despite Toàn's valiant efforts, Diagan's powerful punches left him with a split eyelid, making it difficult for him to launch effective attacks.

In the later rounds, Toàn continued to use his strong points of hooks and uppercuts, but Diagan's skilled defence and accurate punches damaged Toàn's face further.

After 12 rounds of intense boxing, Diagan was announced the winner by a mere one-point difference, bringing the championship belt back to the Philippines.

In addition to the championship bouts, there were nine other fights on the card, each one showcasing the incredible skill and athleticism of the boxers.

Lâm Đại Phát delivered a stunning knockout blow to Phạm Văn Tú, while Avzalbek Kuranbaev (Tajikistan) emerged victorious over Bordin Peepueh (Thailand). Võ Hồng Đạt also secured a win, defeating Rachata Khaophimai (Thailand), and Arvin Jhon Paciones (Philippines) triumphed over Sarawut Jiamthong (Thailand). — VNS