Ba Ria - Vung Tau IBA world champion Tran Van Thao won by referee points against Kenbun Torres at the WBO Global Title Match boxing event on the evening of November 18.
The most anticipated match of the event is the one between Vietnamese boxer, IBA world champion Tran Van Thao and Torres in the 54kg category. His opponent comes from Mexico - the strongest boxing country in the world in the light heavyweight category. Torres is also in very good form with 12 wins, including 9 knockouts in 16 matches. This match is expected to take place in 8 rounds, each round lasting 3 minutes.
The two fighters started cautiously, mainly testing each other out. Then, Torres started throwing quality straight punches, causing Van Thao to have trouble. But gradually, the home fighter regained his balance, throwing dangerous overhand punches. By the end of the first round, Van Thao excited the audience with two consecutive accurate punches.
Tran Van Thao in a forehand strike to Torres' head during a boxing match at the Ho Tram arena on the evening of November 18. Photo: Dong Huyen
In the beginning of the second round, the two fighters increased the pace with continuous attacks. In the middle of the round, Van Thao launched a series of strong body shots, causing pain to his opponent, then pressed hard, forcing his opponent to continuously move back. But despite being at a disadvantage, Torres was still able to score with a combo of attacks before the second round ended.
Playing with courage and caution against a formidable opponent, Van Thao continued to score points in the third round with a right hand to the chin and a precise left hook. Not only did Van Thao attack well, he also showed his ability to defend tightly, making Torres' attempt to score in the fourth round unsuccessful.
Torres tried to attack in the fifth round, but was repeatedly countered. However, the Mexican showed no signs of fatigue. The two fighters continued to exchange blows in the remaining rounds.
After eight rounds, the judges agreed that Tran Van Thao won on technical points. This was the 16th win in 17 matches for the Vietnamese boxer. "Before the match, I thought it would be difficult to knock out my opponent, so I tried to maintain my advantage through each round to get the desired result. I am happy and honored to have defeated a boxer from Mexico for the first time, who is experienced and not easy to play with," Van Thao said after the match.
Van Thao was excited after the referees awarded Torres a point win. Photo: Dong Huyen
In another match, reigning Chinese champion Zhu DianXing successfully defended his WBO 47.5kg world title against Thai challenger Sanchai Yotboon. Zhu showed his class by constantly closing in, creating tremendous pressure on his opponent with many hooks to Sanchai's abdomen.
In the third round, after receiving heavy punches to the abdomen, Sanchai was forced to the floor twice in a row. And the third time he was hit by a heavy hook from his opponent, the Thai boxer could not continue the fight. Thanks to that, Zhu won by knockout. The number one Chinese boxer raised his record to 11 wins (10 wins by knockout) after only 12 times in the ring.
Duc Dong
Source link
Comment (0)