Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Weights from Thailand: Huu Toan Le, Jake Amparo Make Weight for WBA Asia Battle; Zulueta, Torres, Tuazon Ready for Action

By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 Nov 2022




BANGKOK, Thailand -- On weight and ready for action. Skilled 25-year-old Filipino challenger Jake Amparo (11-3-1, 2 KO's), the young boxer fresh from his outstanding win last month in South Africa, weighed-in at 47.4 kilos (104.9 pounds), while world-ranked Vietnamese WBA Asia champion Huu Toan Le (5-0, 3 KO's) stepped on the scale at 47.2 kgs (104.8lbs) ahead of their hot battle Wednesday, November 30, at the plush SpacePlus Night Club, RCA Plaza, in Bangkok, Kinddom of Thailand.

Ranked #9 in the world by the WBA, Huu Toan Le, is the defending WBA Asia Champion, Amparo wanting both, his world ranking and belt, could he get them? Tomorrow they will fight for that. Who will emerge victorious?

Won Kim of the Republic of Korea is supervising the crucial 12-round clash promoted by award-winning Filipino promoter Brico Santig, managing director of Highland Boxing Promotions in association with Supanat Chanram and with SpacePlus Bangkok.

The exciting show at the cozy Space Plus will be live-streamed for fans outside of Thailand on Facebook and YouTube, starting the telecast at 15:00 hours local Thai Time UTC +7 (3 pm in Vietnam, 4 pm in the Philippines, 3 pm in Indonesia). The broadcast will be in Thai Language.


Zulueta and Kraimanee at Tuesday's weighin in Bangkok.

In the co-feature, unbeaten 27-year-old John Michael "Striker" Zulueta (14-0-2, 7 KO's), the WBA #14 world-ranked warrior from Bacolod, aiming at a record-tying 4th consecutive KO win in Thailand, came-in at 49 kilos (108 lbs) as he defends his ABF 108-pound belt from the furious fists of young, strong and tall Thai challenger Suriya Kraimanee, who made 49 kilos as well.

Suriya looked strong and fit, flexing his muscles during the weigh-in, displaying his 6-pack. Zulueta looking confident and in fantastic shape as well.

The skirmish is an important 10-rounder collision with Zulueta's world-rank, ABF belt, and undefeated status on the line.


Torres (R) and Sukmuang pose during Tuesday's weighin.

Also, tough and focused "The Terminator" Ador Torres (5-4-1, 2 KO's) of the beautiful Bungto san Santa Magdalena in Bicol's Sorsogon Province, recorded 68.34 kilos (150.7 lbs) as he clashes hard against veteran battle-tested fighter, former Muay Thai combatant Phairin Sukmuang in a grueling 8-round action-rumble in the super welterweight division. Phairi weighed 69 kgs (152.1 lbs).

The 27-year-old southpaw Terminator Torres climbs to swinging hard, just like the cyborg he is, wanting to score another brutal stoppage victory in The Land of Smiles.

In addition, 17-year-old Filipino rookie Arvin Jhon Paciones (2-0, 1 KO), made 49.7 kilos (109.57 lbs) for his more-than-tough 8-chapter collision against 18-year-old glory-hungry Vichith Oat (5-1, 2 KO's) of Cambodia. Vichith made 49.95 kilos (110.12lbs).

The young and shy Arvin Jhon is based in awesome Vietnam, the neighboring Nation where his dad Rhicks Paciones is a well-known, respected boxing coach.

That explains why Arvin Jhon has already fought two battles in the Land of legendary revolutionary leader Hồ Chí Minh, winning both fights.


Pinoy boxers have a selfie with the author.

Another Pinoy at war successfully making weight, was Filipino-American "The Fighting Doc" JV Tuazon, shooting for another victory. Born in Manila, now living in New Jersey, JV wages war against strong Thai battler Kitsanai Aeksatjawatee in a 4-round struggle.

JV Tuazon made 58.7 kilos (129.4 lbs), while Kitsanai come-in a bit heavier at 60.36 kilos (133.7lbs).

COACHES: On fight night, Filipino veteran coach former world champion Joemarie Gamboa of Cebu will be on the corner of Pinoys Torres, Tuazon, and Zulueta.

Bohol Trainer Niñolito Jalnaiz and Regie Suganob will take care of their gwapo teammate warrior Jake Amparo.

Cebuano coach "Dodong" Rhicks Paciones of Vietnam's Saigon Sports Club will assist his own tall, promising boxer son Arvin Jhon Paciones.



Five more international fights complete the exciting Highland Boxing Promotions show, including the return to action of popular Dutch-Thai super welterweight former Asian titlist Nick Frese (10-1, 8 KO's), trading bombs against fearsome undefeated Afghanistan warrior Ahmad Samir Dawrani (8-0-1, 5 KO's).

Nick and Ahmad will collide in eight rounds of leather in super middleweights. Nick 68.94 kilos. Ahmad 69.64.

Moreover, the Highland show includes undefeated 27-year-old Pakistani 135-pounder Muhammad Shoaib in a 10-frame battle against much-experienced Hendrik "The Raid" Barongsay of Blitar, Indonesia, for the vacant ABF Lightweight World strap.

Muhammad 61.29 kilos. Hendrik 61.4.

In addition, unbeaten, hard-hitting, 24-year-old Hong Dat Vo (3-0, 3 KO's), from Tây Ninh in southeastern Vietnam (near the Cambodian border), collides against heavily-tattooed Thai veteran Vachayan Khamon, the boxer former Muay Thai combatant featured in the small role of "Tiger," in the award-winning boxing movie "A Prayer Before Dawn."

Hong and Khamon were identical in weight at 61.6 kilos.

In women's action, cute Taiwan-born Hong Kong fight lady Sheau Ru Yang (1-0 1 KO), squares off taller Thai action girl Chadaphet Radchanavee in a six-round rumble in the flyweight division.

Yang came in at 51.20 kilos. Chadaphet was lighter at 50.59

In welterweights, 25-year-old Asad Ullah (2-2) from the City of Quetta in northern Pakistan climbs the hot Highland ring to fight 28-year-old Thai combatant Jakkapan Sopathip (1-2) in a 6-frame skirmish.

Asad, who weighed-in at 66.65 kilos is trained by Islamabad heavyweight boxer/bareknuckle fighter Taimoor Khan (6-0, 5 KO’s). Meanwhile, Jakkapan stepped on the scale at 64.51 kgs.

In addition to pro boxing, the event will also feature seven MMA MASFIGHT battles: a fantastic, entertaining evening of boxing and MMA, combat sports, all in one place.

The cool 10-bout show is a production of award-winning Filipino promoter Brico Santig of the Highland Boxing Team, in association with Thailand promoter/matchmaker Supanat Chanram, promoter/matchmaker Sasan Ghosairi, SpacePlus CEO Tony Chen, and Twin Gloves.

May the Best Men and Woman Win!

Photos by Carlos Costa

The author veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama will be at ringside in Bangkok. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and Whatsapp +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
    By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
    By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Davao futsal scores 1st win
    By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
    By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024