Undefeated Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso Sing-yu said intensive training sessions in the Philippines with star local fighters Mark Anthony Geraldo and Marlon Tapales have significantly increased his strength ahead of the coming world title bout with Japan’s Hirofumi Mukai.
Tso, who is hoping to stretch his record to 21 victories in the Clash of Champions II, said he was ready for the hometown showdown at the Wanchai Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, Wen Wei Po reported. Accompanied by Geraldo and Hong Kong boxer Raymond Poon Kai-ching, Tso showed off some of his preparations to Hong Kong media on Monday.
Geraldo, who beat Mukai in 2013, said Tso has improved a lot after the intensive training in Cebu, Sing Tao Daily reported. He said the coming match is all about physical fitness and that he believed Tso, 29, will be able to maintain his power throughout the 12 rounds.
Marlon Tapales, the current WBO Bantamweight World Champion, and Geraldo took turns to fight with Tso for six to 12 rounds a day, three times a week. Tso said he felt confidence in being able to drop eight pounds to meet the weight requirement for the bout.
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For his part, Mukai’s morale was also flying high. The 32-year-old Osaka-based southpaw (13-4-3) said he will be fighting for all Japanese on March 11, the sixth anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami off Fukushima.
Another well-known face showing up at Tso’s briefing was former financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, who is locked in his own slugfest with former chief secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and retired judge Woo Kwok-hing. The three are battling it out to become Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive.
Rex Tso Hirofumi Mukai
Born 15/07/1987 4/12/1985
Debut 22/09/2011 1/8/2009
Record 20 wins 13 wins; 4 losses; 3 drawn
Division Super flyweight Super flyweight
Stance Southpaw Southpaw
Height 170cm 171cm