Boxing

Trần Văn Thảo is emotional as he receives the WBO Global belt in Goheung, South Korea on May 5. -- Photo courtesy of Trần Văn Thảo

HCM CITY — Landing home in the early hours Trần Văn Thảo was surprised seeing so many of his family and fans there to celebrate him bringing home his WBO Global belt, the highest ever result of Việt Nam boxing.

It is the third title that Thảo has won in his career after previously winning the WBC and IBA.

"The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) is the most prestigious among four boxing systems in the world. WBO Global is the third title in the WBO's ranking following the WBO World and WBO International," Thảo told reporters at HCM City's International Tân Sơn Nhất Airport.

"WBO Global was in my plan a year ago. When I decided to conquer a new system, I had to prepare carefully and I had to win matches to have chance for the belt match."

His planning paid off and he was offered the men's 53.5kg category at the WBO Triple Title Match Goheung Rumble in Goheung City, South Korea on May 5.

Trần Văn Thảo of Việt Nam (right) lands a punch on face of Jakrawut Majungoen of Thailand during the WBO Triple Title Match Goheung Rumble in Goheung, South Korea on May 5. -- Photo courtesy of Trần Văn Thảo.

The IBA defending champion Thảo, 32, was underrated against his Thai rival Jakrawut Majungoen, who was two years younger and has owned 44 wins (23 KOs) in his 50 times on the rings. Majungoen already holds four international titles.

Both of them started cautiously, with Thảo trying to keep his distance from his more experienced rival, attacking with powerful jabs.

In the eighth round, he floored Majungoen but the Thai showed true stamina and stood up quickly to continue the fight.

In the ninth round, Thảo received a strong blow to his previously injured right eye and needed medical care for several minutes before returning to the bout.

After 12 thrilling rounds, all three judges agreed to give Thảo aka 'The Trigger' a unanimous decision win and awarded him the WBO Global belt.

Trần Văn Thảo was considered the under dog to his Thai rival but he took the belt. -- Photo courtesy of Trần Văn Thảo

It is his 18th pro win and jumps him from a number 49 placing in the world to the top 30 in the world. He has also been promoted to be 3.5-star fighter in the Boxrec, the highest rating of any Vietnamese boxer in the world.

"I am extremely happy with the win as I am the first Vietnamese to take part in the WBO Global and win the belt," Thảo said. "Jab is my strong point and I always begin my match with jab which is considered a key to open the door for other techniques. In this match jabs are applied in the first three rounds, so that helped me to exploit many mistakes from the Thai.

"Majungoen is a really tough one as he stayed well under my hard punches, even after he was down on the floor. So I did not try to knock him out but score as many points as possible and keep myself safe under his attacks. And it worked.

Trần Văn Thảo gives no quarter to Majungoen during the 12-round match. -- Photo courtesy of Trần Văn Thảo

"Many Vietnamese supporters who are living in South Korea come to congratulate me. I am so surprised because the match was organised in a competition venue far away from the big cities. It was very moving and made me very happy, thank you everyone!!! "

Thảo will now have three months training before taking part in the belt-defending match which is scheduled for August in Việt Nam.

"If I am successful I will then be offered chance to compete at the higher stage of the WBO International. If the plan goes the right way, my dream of fighting for the WBO World title in Las Vegas will not be far away," said Thảo. VNS