Boxing 

Lê Văn Hiển of HCM City (right) lands a punch on Lê Văn Cương of the Army Team during the quarter-finals of the LEAD: WBA Asia Vietnam Tournament on August 11 in HCM City. Photos of Shadow Entertainment

HCM CITY — The LEAD: WBA Asia Vietnam Tournament, the first of the continental new boxing competition series, found its semi-finalists after agressive bouts on August 11 in HCM City.

All eight fighters who were selected from the national boxing hubs competed for the super bantamweight (55.34kg) belt, starting from the quarter-finals.

Lê Văn Hiển of HCM City secured the first berth in the last-four round Lê Văn Cương of the Army Team in a three-minute four-round match at the Saigon Sports Club. 

He will face Đinh Văn Lênh of MMA Sài Gòn in the semis scheduled for December.

Lênh defeated Trần Đức Khoa of Bạc Liêu in the second quarter.

Later, Lương Trung Nguyên of Hà Nội met little resistance to beat Sơn Hùng Vĩ of HCM City to set up a clash with Trương Văn Vĩnh of the Army. Vĩnh made an impressive win over Cấn Minh Thái of Hà Nội in the last quarter-final match.

Also on the fight night, organisers held WBA title defending matches.

Avzalbek Kuranbaev of Tajikistan defended his WBA Asia super welterweight (70kg) belt against Chinese challenger Wang Dacong after ten rounds.

China's Wang Lequan knocked out Anuson Thonglueang of Thailand to keep his WBA Asia East super lightweight title (63.5kg).  

Wang Lequan (second right) defends his WBA Asia East super lightweight title (63.5kg).

Filipino Arvin Jhon Paciones floored Thai Nanthannon Thongchai to defend his WBA Asia light flyweight (49kg) belt.

The tournament was one of activities within the WBA Asia Convention 2024, held for the first time in Việt Nam. It is jointly organised by the Việt Nam Boxing Federation's Việt Nam Boxing Commission, WBA Asia and Shadow Entertainment.

Many Asian and world boxing high-ranked officials attended the event. Along with them were promoters, investors, professional organisers and famous boxers from more than 20 countries and regions in the world. VNS