Boxing

Vietnamese top fighter Trần Văn Thảo (left) with boxer Ponciano Remandiman from the Philippines, who is ranked 74th in the world. — Photo kenh14.vn

HCM City — Boxing fans in Việt Nam will get to see fierce battles as part of the WBO Oriental Youth Title Match that will take place at the Cocky Buffalo Gym, HCM City on Sunday.

The championship will include seven bouts between young boxers from countries with strong boxing potential like South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Uzbekistan and Việt Nam.

The highlight of the night will be the 10-match competition between Jong Seon Kang from South Korea and Tomjone Mangubat from the Philippines. Before that, fight fans will witness competitions between Vietnamese fighters and high-quality foreign rivals.

Another highlight of the boxing championship is the return of the winner of WBC Asia belt in the super flyweight category in 2017, Vietnamese boxer Trần Văn Thảo. He will fight Ponciano Remandiman from the Philippines, who is ranked 74th in the world and stands undefeated for eight matches.

“Remandiman is the top-notch fighter in Cebu, the Philippines. He has both good strength and physical presence,” Thảo said about his 22-year-old opponent.

“The upcoming battle will be tough, but I will try my best,” the Vietnamese boxer said. “After 18 months away from a professional ring, I want to give to domestic audiences a fight full of emotion and professionalism. Competing on home soil with the support of my fans, I feel more confident.”

Five months ago, Thảo had to pull out at the last minute against Chinese Rongguo Wu after injuring his leg in a traffic accident.

Also in the first half of this year, the 27-year-old Vietnamese fighter also missed the chance to compete for the World Boxing Federation superfly weight title in the US because his opponent Lucas Emanuel Fernandez Leone withdrew. He was then scheduled to fight Chinese boxer Yujie Zeng but his opponent called off the fight one day earlier as well.

The WBO Oriental Youth Title Match is expected to be a good opportunity for the Vietnamese fighter to get back in the ring after recovering from his injury, resume his fighting skills and himself before upcoming challenges.

In other bouts, Vietnamese boxer Nguyễn Trần Đức Lộc will face Ho Joon Jung from South Korea, Đinh Hồng Quân will take on Tomorn Pitakwattanakul from Thailand; Olimjon Nazarov from Uzbekistan will fight Chaiwat Buadkratok also from Thailand.

In the 48kg female category, HCM City’s Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi will compete against Kannika Bangnara from Thailand.

According to Kim Sang-bum, the host of the tournament, the tournament aims to provide a professional boxing experience for fans and an opportunity for Vietnamese fighters to hone their skills via international friendly matches.

Thanks to these events, the expertise of Vietnamese boxers is expected to be elevated, and therefore help them to reach the international arena, he added.

Tickets for the WBO Oriental Title Match can be purchased at the Cocky Buffalo Gym located on 174-176-178 Hà Huy Tập Street, District 7, HCM City or via https://ticketbox.vn/event/wbo-oriental-youth-title-match-77535/55692. — VNS