Boxing

Trần Văn Thảo of Việt Nam will compete in the WBO Title Match: War in Paradise on January 13 in Incheon, South Korea. — Photo of Cocky Buffalo

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese fighters will begin their new year with thrilling bouts at the WBO Title Match: War in Paradise next month in South Korea.

The event which is promoted by Cocky Buffalo, Việt Nam's pro boxing training centre, will feature 20 leading continental athletes at Paradise City in Incheon.

Three Vietnamese competitors are Trần Văn Thảo, Nguyễn Văn Hải and Đinh Hồng Quân.

Former WBA and WBC Asia champion Thảo will face Chinese No 3 Gui Ming Li in the men's 55kg category on January 13.

Thảo has recorded 16 wins with 10 knockouts and one loss in his career, while Gui has had five wins (one KO) and four losses.

Prior to the event, Thảo, 31, won his IBA belt after beating Mexican Kenbun Torres in a 12-round match at the WBO Global Title Match: Hồ Tràm Rumble in November in Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu Province.

Gui is appreciated for his young strength. The 23-year-old just knocked out his fellow countryman Yong Peng at a pro boxing event by the Asian Boxing Commission in Shanghai on December 23.

"Fighting a younger rival, I will have to be careful and prepare my physical strength well to be able to fight persistently with him," Thảo said.

"But I will also maximize my experience to play well, not to disappoint the fans at home."

In the men's 61kg, Hải will see Genesis Servinia from the Philippines.

Nguyễn Văn Hải will face tough competitor Genesis Servinia from the Philippines in the South Korean event. — Photo VSP Promotion

The Vietnamese fighter made an impressive win flooring Abdul Motalib of Bangladesh after 12 seconds in the WBO Global Prelude in July 15 in Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu. However, his record of six wins and one loss seems nothing when comparing to Servinia's achievement. The Filipino has competed in 38 matches and bagged 34 wins, including 16 KOs.

The last representative of Việt Nam is former IBF Asia champion Đinh Hồng Quân. He will fight Yonji Saito of Japan in the men's 63.5kg ring.

Đinh Hồng Quân is one of three Vietnamese at the War in Paradise. — Photo of Cocky Buffalo

Quân has a collection of 10 wins (four KOs), one draw and one loss, while Saito has won five KO wins and lost five in 10 matches.

The match will mark Quân's return to competition in the new weight category after he lost his IBF 60kg title late last year.

The WBO Title Match: War in Paradise will entertain boxing lovers with three title defending matches.

A poster for the WBO Title Match: War in Paradise, to be held next month in South Korea. — Photo of Cocky Buffalo

Reigning champion Zhu DianXing will face Richard Garde of the Philippines in the men's 48kg. Veteran Olimjon Nazarov from Uzbekistan will defend his 50kg belt against Wulan Tuolehazi of China. Japanese Takahiro Tai will fight Surat Eaim Ong of Thailand for his men's 52kg.

Other matches are between Russian Mikhail Lesnikov and Japanese Izuki Tomioka in the men's 63.5kg; Uzbekistani Abdurasul Ismoilov and Chinese Wei Wei Liu in the men's 56kg; Mongolian Bayarkhuu Ganbaatar and Chinese Yesihati Yeerken in the men's 63.5kg; and Motswana Moabi Ngaka and South Korean Lee Dong Young in the men's 57kg. VNS