Vietnamese Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi celebrates her win at the WBO Asia Pacific Boxing Title Match’s minimum-weight discipline. — VNS Photo Nam Trung
HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi has become Việt Nam’s first ever World Boxing Organisation Asia Pacific female champion after her victory on Saturday in Cambodia.
Thi, from the HCM City-based Cocky Buffalo Gym, defeated Kanyarat Yoohanngoh of Thailand in the WBO Asia Pacific Boxing Title Match’s minimum-weight discipline on points after 10 rounds.
“I am really happy with the won today although I have not satisfied because I did not knock her out,” said Nhi.
“Over the 10 rounds, my opponent tried to headbutt me, which made it difficult. But the coaches calmed me down and I was able to focus on the fight,” she said.
Nhi was the underdog going into the fight.
The 23-year-old had previously recorded three KOs in three professional matches. She also set a milestone by beating three-time world champion Abaniel Gretchen of Australia in 2018.
Meanwhile Yoohanngoh, who used to practice muay, has won seven of her 11 fights.
Nhi planned to knock-out Yoohanngoh in the second round but her rival was much tougher than expected.
Experienced Yoohanngoh tried to avoid Nhi by coming in close and grappling.
Yoohanngoh also tried to take advantage of her height and longer reach, but tired in the last three rounds.
The win gives Nhi a chance to compete in an WBO world tournament in South Korea in late April.
Four other Vietnamese fighters were also victorious on Saturday.
World Boxing Council Asia champion Trần Văn Thảo beat Aries Buenavidez of the Philippines in the men’s six-round bantamweight. It was his 12th win but the first since he got married two weeks ago.
Rising star Sẩm Minh Phát took his fifth professional win after flooring Thai Gerttipong Kumsahwat in the second round of the men’s light-flyweight class after eight rounds.
Đinh Hồng Quân bagged his victory by knocking out Ronnayut Boonraksa of Thailand in the fifth round of the eight-round lightweight category.
And Trần Thị Linh won in her pro debut, defeating South Korean Shin Bo Mi Re in the women’s six-round super-featherweight. — VNS
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