Rex Tso Sing-yu?s dream of becoming Hong Kong?s first world champion has received a massive boost after he signed with one of the world?s biggest promoters.
The unbeaten southpaw, who has a world super flyweight eliminator fight in Macau this weekend, will step into the ring as a Top Rank fighter having decided to become part of the boxing organisation which famed promoter Bob Arum founded in the 1960s, the South China Morning Post has learned
Tso has become the third Chinese boxer to sign with the organisation, which will co-promote Saturday?s ?Showdown at Sands? featuring China?s two-time Olympic champion Zou Shiming, also a Top Rank fighter. The other Chinese boxer is super lightweight Yang Lianhui (Ik Yang).
Zou will challenge undefeated Thai Amnat Ruenroeng for his IBF (International Boxing Federation) world flyweight crown at the Macau Venetian Cotai Arena.
The Tso camp was tight-lipped about the signing, but sources said a ?major announcement? would be made at a press conference today at the Venetian.
A source confirmed the deal. ?It?s a big moment for Rex. The deal had been in the works for quite some time. He?s at the point where he needs to make his move,? said the source.
?They will look very quickly towards a world title fight for him. It?s terrific he is getting involved with Top Rank.? Hong Kong Boxer Rex Tso Sing-yu with his new trainer Jake Verano. Top Rank?s 50-plus stable of elite fighters also includes Philippines icon Manny Pacquiao.
It is understood that Tso?s promotions company DEF Promotions, which is owned by his team manager and head trainer, Jay Lau Chi-yuen, and Top Rank had been locked in negotiations for about three weeks and that the organisation wanted to expand their stable to include more Chinese boxers.
Arum offered Tso a contract for the first time two years ago in November, 2013 after the Top Rank CEO was impressed by how much Tso had improved from his last fight.
Details of his contract will be announced today but it is believed that Tso will be guaranteed at least three fights a year and an opportunity to train in the United States. It is not clear at this point whether Tso will remain in Hong Kong or become based in Los Angeles.
The new signing will give the 27-year-old, nicknamed ?Wonder Kid?, a significant boost ahead of his fight against Filipino Michael Enriquez (10-2-1, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA (World Boxing Association) international super flyweight title, one tier below world title status.
Tso, 15-0-0 with nine KOs, currently holds the WBO Asia-Pacific junior bantamweight and WBC ABCO super flyweight titles. He is also ranked third in the World Boxing Organisation list and ninth in the World Boxing Council rankings.
