Unbeaten “Wonder Kid” Rex Tso Sing-yu believes the world super flyweight title is his for the taking if he wins March’s “eliminator” boxing bout and extends his winning streak to 16 victories.
Tso (15-0-0, 9 K0s) has impressed both promoters Top Rank and the World Boxing Association (WBA), who have decided to fast-track the Hong Kong star towards a world title fight against current WBA world champion Kohei Kono (30-8-1, 13 KOs) of Japan in July – if the 27-year-old wins his next fight on the undercard of Showdown at Sands on March 7 at the Cotai Arena in Macau.
The WBA has also offered Tso the chance of a third major belt with the vacant WBA international super flyweight title being on the line – one tier below world champion.
Tso currently holds the WBO Asia-Pacific junior bantamweight and WBC ABCO super flyweight titles.
“This is a big opportunity for me and I will make the most of it. I have seen Kono on video and although he’s pretty good, I think I am faster and have better skills than him.
“I am confident of beating him. But of course, I have to look at my next fight and win that first before we can talk about a world championship fight,” said Tso during a break in training at the DEF gym in Sheung Wan yesterday.
Rex Tso is expected to face a top-15 WBA contender, probably from the Philippines, for his March fight.
Fight organisers have yet to name an opponent for Tso for March, but he is expected to face a top-15 WBA contender, probably from the Philippines.
“I hope my power punching and my technique improve between now and July.
“I really don’t have that much time [to prepare] but if I keep on improving my game, especially my defence, I stand a good chance against Kono. I will finally realise my dream [of winning a world title],” he said.
Taking notice of Tso’s undefeated record and recognising his potential, WBA officials have ranked Tso 11th on their list after the Hong Kong fighter won his last fight against Indonesia’s Espinos Sabu by unanimous decision on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri bout dubbed Clash in Cotai II last November in Macau. Another win for Tso would put him in the WBA top-five.
Jay Lau Chi-yuen, Tso’s head trainer and manager, said he was confident his stable star would beat the 34-year-old Kono, who retained his WBA title on New Year’s Eve in Tokyo.
“Rex is younger and faster and has better skills than Kono. But Rex hasn’t really fought a heavy puncher like Kono. We are a bit worried about Rex facing a slugger, so that’s why Rex has to learn to improve his defence, go in with his punches and step out quickly.
“I have faith in Rex and I believe under new Filipino coach Jake Verano, he will become an even better fighter this year,” said Lau. The recently-married Tso has returned to training after a six-week lay-off and said his workouts have been going well under former boxer Verano.
“Jake has really been putting me through the paces and corrected a lot of things in my technique. He’s been great so far and I have learned a lot,” said Tso.
