Boxing

Two title matches will be organised at the Hoiana Legendary – WBO International Title Match on August 3 in Quảng Nam Province. — Photo of organisers

QUẢNG NAM — Two title fights in one night will be the highlight of the Hoiana Legendary – WBO International Title Match on August 3, the first professional boxing event held in Quảng Nam Province.

The event, the biggest show in Việt Nam this year, will have fighters from seven visiting countries and will include eight international bouts including the WBO Global and IBF Asia title fights at the Hoiana Resort & Golf.

The WBO Global Championship match will feature Chinese defending champion Zhu Dianxing, in the minimum weight class (47.5kg) and challenger Jerry Francisco, a leading combatant from the Philippines.

Zhu owns an impressive fighting record with 13 wins (11 knockouts) in 14 matches. One of his wins was at Việt Nam's WBO Global Title Match – Hồ Tràm Rumble last November – when he successfully defended his title after flooring Thai Sanchai Yotboon in the third round.

Meanwhile, Francisco has competed 12 matches, with ten wins, two of them knockouts and two losses.

The other highlight is expected to be the IBF Asia Welterweight (67kg) match between Chinese Aketelieti Yelejian and South Korean Kim Su Jin, both are ranked second in their respective countries.

In the eight years since turning professional, Yelejian has fought 13 times, with eight wins, two of them knockouts, four losses and one draw.

Kim has taken part in 14 bouts, winning nine and losing four since his debut in 2015.

Vietnamese former IBF Asia Đinh Hồng Quân (left) will take part in the Hoiana Legendary – WBO International Title Match. — Photo toquoc.vn

At the Hoaina event, there are three matches of Vietnamese boxers.

Đinh Hồng Quân will take on Indonesian prospect Paisal Panjaitan in a six-round 61kg class.

Quân, one of Việt Nam's most recognisable pro fighters, is a former IBF Asia belt champion in this weight class. The former training partner to the legendary Manny Pacquiao has lots of experience to go with his granite chin and power punching. This will be Quân’s first appearance since March's WBO Global Match where he was an impressive winner, beating Japan’s Katsunori Endo.

Panjaitan, who is ranked number two, is big and strong and hunting another knockout for his highlight reel at the Hoiana event. He has only one loss on his resume and it came at the hands of local legend Nguyễn Văn Hải at the Fortunes of War in 2022. He intends to redress his Việt Nam scorecard in this heated contest.

The second Vietnamese, Vũ Quang Vinh, will receive Jeong Jaewook of South Korea in a four-round 62kg match

Vinh is the debut fighter here, but one of the most avoided boxers in Việt Nam.

He is slick, has loads of power and exudes the confidence of a more seasoned fighter. He really wants to have a great opening bout to show that he has something extra special.

Jung is a young fighter making his debut in 2023. The 19-year-old was responsible for two excellent wins, the highlight being a knockout last December. His lone appearance this year resulted in a highly controversial loss.

The South Korean will be looking for redemption at Hoiana and will extend no mercy towards his opponent.

The final fighter is Trần Tấn Quang Đạo who will fight China's Xu Senlin in a four-round match at 63.5kg.

Đạo was lauded as the most improved performer of 2023 posting two excellent victories at local tournaments, before a narrow and contentious points loss in his final bout that year.

The Hanoian boxer brings a continually evolving skillset to the ring – beautiful variety on the jab, nice distance and timing on counters, working for angles so that he can work on both his inside and long game.

Xu arrives in Việt Nam off the back of a last start stunning knockout performance. He is famed for his cardio and durability.

Xu is tall and despite his moderate hand speed, he packs plenty of firepower that is sure to be a threat to his Vietnamese opponent for every second of this four rounder.

The Hoiana Legendary – WBO International Title Match is jointly organised by AICR, Cocky Buffalo and Vietnam Boxing Organisation. — VNS