TSO TAKES ON MUKAI MARCH 11 IN HONG KONG
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 Jan 2017
With a future world title shot on his sights, Hong Kong boxing star Rex Tso will risk his belts and lofty world ranking when he squares off against Japanese Hirofumi Mukai at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Center.
The fight billed as ?Clash of Champions II? was officially announced Sunday with the protagonists meeting during the press conference. Tso (20W-0L,12KO?s) is the current WBO international and WBC Asia super flyweight titlist while Mukai (13W-4L-3D,3KO?s) holds the WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight belt.
The 29 year old Tso is ranked number one by the WBO. The current WBO world super flyweight champ is unbeaten Naoya Inoue (12-0,10KO?s) of Japan.
The 31 year old Mukai got his WBO regional title last November by second round TKO against Thai Tanawat Phonnaku. Mukai has wins against Filipinos Mark John Yap and Sonny Boy Jaro. His unanimous decision win against Jaro happened a year before the Filipino beat Thailand?s Pongsaklek Wonjongkam for the WBC world flyweight title.
Mukai has experience fighting at the top level. He lost to former world ranked Filipino contenders Rocky Fuentes and Mark Anthony Geraldo. He also fought for the WBC world super flyweight title in 2013 but lost to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (Wisaksil Wangek) by TKO in the ninth round. In 2011, his first world title shot ended in the opening round after a clash of heads against the then reigning WBC flyweight champ Wonjongkam inflicted a cut on Mukai which lead to a technical draw.
Tso?s last fight was a hard fought unanimous decision victory against another Japanese, Ryuto Maekawa. The southpaw Tso has spent time training at the RWS Gym in Cebu City, Philippines where he has sparred with WBO world bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales.
Professional Boxing Commission (PBC), Intl. Executive Director Samson Iu was on hand during the press conference representing the WBO. DEF Promotions expects a record crowd for this March 11 event.
Top photo: Hong Kong's Rex Tso (left) and Japan's Hirofumi Mukai.
Rex Tso, Hirofumi Mukai with Tso's manager Jay Lau and PBC, Intl Exec. Director Samson Iu.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
Sat, 19 Apr 2025H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
Sat, 19 Apr 2025FM Arca bounces back, defeats IM Laohawirapap of Thailand in 6th round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Apr 2025