Back to basics: Unbeaten Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso to return in amateur exhibition fight
- The Wonder Kid will make his first ring appearance since defeating Japan’s Kohei Kono last October
- The 31-year-old will fight three rounds against unknown Taiwanese amateur at the Southorn Stadium
Hong Kong boxing superstar Rex Tso Sing-yu will make his long-awaited return to the ring later this month. But before anybody gets excited, the 31-year-old “Wonder Kid” will box only three rounds of three minutes in an amateur exhibition fight on the card of Ultimate Extreme Fight Hong Kong 2018 at Southorn Stadium on November 30.
Tso has kept a low profile since hurting his left eye during his technical decision victory against Japan’s Kohei Kono in October last year but is showing a strong desire to return to boxing after his long absence from the ring.
The unbeaten southpaw, who has amassed a 22-0-0 record with 13 knockouts, will fight unheralded Taiwanese amateur Chiang Yi-hung in the exhibition that forms part of the 2018 Hong Kong Boxing Championship and UEF Championship.
The show is presented and organised by the Hong Kong Boxing Association.
The Hong Kong boxing phenom will also fight for the first time since splitting with long-term trainer and manager Jay Lau Chi-yuen last month.
The southpaw told the South China Morning Post last month that he was leaving DEF Promotions, the management company he was contracted with until last summer. The fighter, who is now managed by his wife, Candy Wu, has been training all summer to get in shape for the exhibition.
“I need time to train up. I needed a long rest in order to continue my boxing career,” said Tso last month.
The super flyweight, who passed up a chance to fight for the WBO world title this year, said he would not be conducting media interviews until after the exhibition.
Tso’s latest venture is a step down from the nights when he would fight in front of full-house crowds of 8,000 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, attracting millions of dollars in revenue.
The first Hong Kong boxer to turn professional, his popularity soared as his winning streak continued and he has been a familiar face on television and on billboards as arguably the most marketable Hong Kong athlete of all time.
Tso fans would be pleased to know that tickets for the Ultimate Extreme Fight is priced at HK$300 and HK$100.
