Boxing   

Nguyễn Văn Hải is announced as the winner of the WBO Global Prelude boxing event on July 15 in Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu Province. Photo courtesy of organisers

HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Văn Hải delivered an impressive technical knock-out win while Sẳm Minh Phát lost at the international WBO Global Prelude event on July 15 in Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu Province. 

The 14-time national champion Hải needed only 12 seconds to floor his Bangladeshi rival Abdul Motalib in the men's lightweight (61kg) bout at the Grand Hồ Tràm Strip.

It was his first time competing abroad but Motalib showed his confidence since the weigh-in session. He tried to provoke his rival by standing in front of Hải, preventing the host athlete from taking photos.

'The Silent Killer' arrived in Việt Nam with five wins in a row including two KOs.

Meanwhile, Hải recorded five wins, two KOs, and one loss in his career.

Being strongly cheered by local supporters, Hải made Motalib's first fight far from home a nightmare. His heavy right hook made Motalib collapse to the stage immediately.

The referee announced the match ended and Hải was the winner, recording his third KO win in an incredible way.

It was Hải's fourth win in a row since returning to the ring last year. The 35-year-old is expected to have his international belt match by the end of this year.

Sẳm Minh Phát of Việt Nam (left) is defeated by China's No 1 Dian Xing Zhu in the men's minimum weight (48kg). — Photo of organisers

Later, in the key match of the event, boxer Phát could not make his mission.

He met many difficulties when boxing China's No 1 Dian Xing Zhu in the men's minimum weight (48kg).

Zhu was at a higher level to Phát as he was the WBC Asia champion, earning eight wins (seven KOs) in his nine matches. Standing at No 49 in the world, he was 24 steps higher than the host fighter.

Besides his title, Zhu was a mystery to Phát who could not find any video clips of the Chinese rival as a reference.

Despite his great effort, Phát struggled from the early rounds and was pushed to fight defensively most of the time.

Zhu repeatedly sent combos of heavy hooks, jabs and crosses to the Vietnamese rival who asked for the fight to end in the ninth round. Zhu won and took a berth to take part in the WBO world belt match.

In the other bouts, Mark John Yap from the Philippines earned a TKO against Hasan Sikdar of Bangladesh in the super featherweight (59kg) class. 

South Korean Lee Juyeong Lee also had a TKO win over Indonesian Dedy Imprax in the featherweight (57kg) bout. 

Bayarkhuu Ganbaatar of Mongolia beat Li Yang Yang of China in the super lightweight (64kg) division. 

Chinese Su Xiaotao won against Raka Junior Kauko from Papua New Guinea in the super featherweight (59kg) class.

Russian Mikhail Lesnikos easily trounced Indonesian Arief Blader in the super lightweight (64kg) fight. VNS