Rex Tso words of wisdom inspire protégé Raymond Poon to World Boxing Council Asia title from humble Tin Shui Wai beginnings
The 22-year-old is on similar path to undefeated Hong Kong hero Rex Tso after headlining city’s Def boxing promotion and securing first continental titles
“Hong Kong people: you can do anything – just look at me!” yells Raymond Poon Kai-ching with two title belts wrapped around his waist at a buzzing Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai.
The 22-year-old (professional record 6 wins, 1 loss) defeated Ryo Narizuka (8-8-1 draw) via majority decision for the vacant World Boxing Council Asian Boxing Council (WBC ABCO) light flyweight continental and Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) titles in Def Promotion’s Road to Glory II on Saturday evening.
“I started boxing at 18 after I saw Rex fight for the WBC ABCO [super flyweight] title,” said Poon, who featured on the undercard of Tso’s Clash of Champions III last year. “I wanted to see how it felt to step into the ring and I soon became an amateur boxer.”
The self-labelled “very ordinary” Hongkonger would go on to prove his disapproving parents and coaches wrong. He turned pro within two years – following Tso around The Philippines for high-level sparring partners and pad work – and quickly became the next realistic prospect to keep Hong Kong on the boxing map.
