Age :
Height :
cm
Stance :
Region :
Country :
Japan
Record : PRO DEBUT
20
4
3
7
Japanese pro from Kobe, Hyogo. Record 20-4-3 (7 KO wins, 0 KO losses), career 2008-2021; last bout in Oct 2021 in Ansan against Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi for the WBO world minimumweight title. Source: BoxRec https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/450374 (checked 12 Nov 2026).
By VSP Boxing
400 MILLION DONG – WINNER TAKES ALL!!
22 YEARS OLD. A NATIONAL CHAMPION ALMOST NO ONE OUTSIDE VIỆT NAM HAD HEARD OF. FACING HER WAS A 3-TIME WORLD CHAMPION — WITH 400 MILLION DONG WAITING FOR THE WINNER.
Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi 🇻🇳 — 48kg division, from Hồ Chí Minh City. A national champion, but almost unknown outside her homeland.
On 3 November 2018, she stepped into the ring at the first Victory 8 event, Saigon Fight Night, held at Nguyễn Du Gymnasium, District 1. The media at the time rated it the most lopsided matchup on the entire card.
Standing across from her was Gretchen Abaniel 🇵🇭 — a 3-time world champion who had held the WIBA and WBC International titles, with 18 career wins.
While names like Nguyễn Thị Tâm were already familiar to Vietnamese boxing fans, Thu Nhi was still a little-known name.
But she got her chance. And it was a huge one.
400,000,000 DONG for the upset win!
Four rounds. Two minutes each.
According to 24h, Thu Nhi took the fight to Abaniel from the start, pressing forward and trading punches continuously right after the opening bell. But she quickly adjusted her tactics, slowed the pace, waited patiently for her openings and landed accurate punches to her opponent’s face.
Vĩnh Long newspaper judged the scoring to be very close.
But it was enough. Thu Nhi won on points. And Nguyễn Du Gymnasium erupted!
Look at that photo. The trophy in one hand. The cheque in the other — 400,000,000 dong, VICTORY 8. Both arms raised high under the ring lights.
Short hair. Tattooed arm. Hand wraps still on. A young female fighter who had just officially introduced her name to the world.
“Before this fight, I was very scared because my opponent was so strong. But when I stepped into the ring, I focused only on winning. This win means a lot to me and to the professional boxing career ahead of me.”
She said the prize money would help her pay off her debts.
And that professional career ahead? It went into the history books.
On 23 October 2021, in Ansan, South Korea, Thu Nhi defeated Japan’s Etsuko Tada by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 96-94, earning her the WBO women’s minimumweight world title.
The first Vietnamese boxer in history to win a WBO world title.
From a little-known national champion in Sài Gòn to a world champion on the international stage.
It all started with a 400 million dong cheque on a November night in 2018.
Originally posted on VSP Boxing's Facebook
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Bản gốc tiếng Việt
400 TRIỆU ĐỒNG – NGƯỜI THẮNG LẤY TẤT CẢ!! 22 TUỔI. MỘT NHÀ VÔ ĐỊCH QUỐC GIA MÀ HẦU NHƯ KHÔNG AI NGOÀI VIỆT NAM BIẾT ĐẾN. ĐỐI DIỆN CÔ LÀ MỘT NHÀ VÔ ĐỊCH THẾ GIỚI 3 LẦN — VỚI 400 TRIỆU ĐỒNG ĐANG CHỜ NGƯỜI CHIẾN THẮNG. Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi 🇻🇳 — hạng cân 48kg, đến từ TP. Hồ Chí Minh. Một nhà vô địch quốc gia, nhưng gần như chưa được biết đến bên ngoài quê hương mình. Ngày 3/11/2018, cô bước lên võ đài tại sự kiện Victory 8 đầu tiên mang tên Saigon Fight Night, tổ chức tại Nhà thi đấu Nguyễn Du, Quận 1. Truyền thông khi đó đánh giá đây là trận đấu có sự chênh lệch lớn nhất trên toàn bộ chương trình. Đứng đối diện cô là Gretchen Abaniel 🇵🇭 — nhà vô địch thế giới 3 lần, từng sở hữu các danh hiệu WIBA và WBC International, với 18 chiến thắng trong sự nghiệp. Trong khi những cái tên như Nguyễn Thị Tâm đã quen thuộc với người hâm mộ quyền Anh Việt Nam, Thu Nhi vẫn còn là một cái tên ít người biết đến. Nhưng cô đã có cơ hội của mình. Và đó là một cơ hội cực kỳ lớn. 400.000.000 ĐỒNG dành cho chiến thắng gây bất ngờ! Bốn hiệp đấu. Mỗi hiệp hai phút. Theo 24h, Thu Nhi chủ động tấn công ngay từ đầu, áp sát Abaniel và liên tục trao đổi đòn ngay sau tiếng chuông khai cuộc. Nhưng cô nhanh chóng điều chỉnh chiến thuật, giảm nhịp độ trận đấu, kiên nhẫn chờ đợi thời cơ và tung ra những cú đấm chính xác vào vùng mặt đối thủ. Báo Vĩnh Long nhận định điểm số của trận đấu rất sít sao. Nhưng như vậy là đủ. Thu Nhi giành chiến thắng bằng tính điểm. Và Nhà thi đấu Nguyễn Du như vỡ òa! Hãy nhìn vào bức ảnh đó. Chiếc cúp trên một tay. Tấm séc trên tay còn lại — 400.000.000 đồng, VICTORY 8. Cả hai cánh tay giơ cao dưới ánh đèn võ đài. Mái tóc ngắn. Cánh tay xăm hình. Băng quấn tay vẫn còn nguyên. Một nữ võ sĩ trẻ vừa chính thức giới thiệu tên tuổi mình với thế giới. "Trước trận đấu này, tôi rất sợ vì đối thủ quá mạnh. Nhưng khi bước vào võ đài, tôi chỉ tập trung vào việc giành chiến thắng. Chiến thắng này có ý nghĩa rất lớn đối với tôi và sự nghiệp quyền Anh chuyên nghiệp phía trước." Cô chia sẻ rằng số tiền thưởng sẽ giúp mình trả những khoản nợ. Và sự nghiệp chuyên nghiệp phía trước ấy? Nó đã đi vào lịch sử. Ngày 23/10/2021, tại Ansan, Hàn Quốc, Thu Nhi đánh bại võ sĩ Nhật Bản Etsuko Tada bằng chiến thắng tính điểm đồng thuận. Cả ba trọng tài đều chấm 96-94, giúp cô giành đai vô địch thế giới WBO hạng minimumweight nữ. Võ sĩ Việt Nam đầu tiên trong lịch sử giành chức vô địch thế giới WBO. Từ một nhà vô địch quốc gia ít người biết đến tại Sài Gòn, trở thành nhà vô địch thế giới trên đấu trường quốc tế. Tất cả bắt đầu từ tấm séc trị giá 400 triệu đồng trong một đêm tháng 11 năm 2018.
Jino Rodrigo has been in outstanding form of late, exuding a brand of violence that is equal parts shock and awe, and no doubt his secret to it all :
TRAIN HARD - STAY BUSY !!
Jino has also taken his most recent fights in the United States on very short notice against top opposition, and this Sunday he continues on that path tackling his most formidable task yet !
Standing in his way will be World #1 amateur and recent Golden Boy signing Ruslan Abdullaev !!
Yes, you heard right.
Golden Boy.
They love to protect their new signings, and extremely LATE CALL UPS is one of their most common tricks to make sure an opponent is way below their best.
That said, Jino Rodrigo has stayed in shape since a very recent knockout performance in March, and he's more than grateful to get the fight with hot prospect Ruslan Abdullaev.
So here's how they line up :
Fight Night Alert: Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Jino Rodrigo – This Saturday on DAZN
All eyes turn to Oceanside, California this Saturday, April 19, as world number one amateur-turned-pro Ruslan Abdullaev steps into the ring for his second professional bout at Frontwave Arena — broadcast live worldwide on DAZN from 5 PM PT.
The 2024 Uzbekistan Olympian made waves in his pro debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner, delivering a clinical second-round knockout against Jose Alvarado. Abdullaev’s speed, precision, and composure were on full display, making it clear: the amateur king is now hunting crowns in the pro ranks.
But standing in his way is Jino Rodrigo, a dangerous late replacement from the Philippines who’s far from just filling a slot.
Rodrigo has quietly built a reputation as a fight-finisher — winning 4 of his last 5 by stoppage.
His only recent loss came against red-hot contender Elvis Rodriguez, and even then, Rodrigo dropped Rodriguez early and had him reeling before losing a close decision.
He’s been staying sharp, and with nothing to lose, he’s coming to shock the boxing world.
The stage is set:
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 5 PM PT
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, CA
Live Stream: DAZN (Worldwide)
Joey Canoy meets Sam Minh Phat !!
JOEY CANOY (The Babyface)
Record: 23 Wins – 5 Losses – 2 Draws
Knockouts: 14 KOs (60.87% KO rate)
Ranking: #13 in the world / #4 in the Philippines
Career: 2012 – 2024
Age: 31
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: General Santos City, Philippines
Total Bouts: 32 (189 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2024-12-27: Def. Ariston Aton (W-UD 8/8)
2024-08-30: Def. Jonathan Refugio (W-RTD 5/12)
2024-07-11: Def. Pablito Balidio (W-KO 1/8)
2023-07-12: Def. Clyde Azarcon (W-TKO 4/8)
2022-12-04: Def. Kenichi Horikawa (W-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Canoy is an experienced and battle-tested fighter, with over a decade in the sport and nearly 200 rounds under his belt. He has faced tougher opposition, including veterans like Kenichi Horikawa, and is riding a strong win streak. His southpaw stance adds a tactical dimension, often challenging for orthodox opponents. He blends power with durability, having only been stopped twice in 32 fights.
SAM MINH PHAT (Leopard Kim)
Record: 10 Wins – 5 Losses – 0 Draws
Knockouts: 8 KOs (80% KO rate)
Ranking: #67 in the world / #1 in Vietnam
Career: 2017 – 2025
Age: 30
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Total Bouts: 15 (67 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2025-02-20: Def. Ne Lin Aung (W-TKO 2/6)
2023-07-15: Lost to DianXing Zhu (L-RTD 9/10)
2022-07-30: Def. Heri Purnomo (W-TKO 2/8)
2022-04-23: Def. Le Dieu Phuoc (W-TKO 5/6)
2021-10-23: Lost to ArAr Andales (L-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Sam Minh Phat is an explosive, aggressive puncher with a high KO ratio. Despite only 15 professional bouts, his fights tend to end early, showing that he thrives on fast starts and power shots. However, his losses to more seasoned opponents (like ArAr Andales) expose vulnerabilities in stamina and ring IQ against experienced fighters. He’s a rising star in Vietnam but hasn’t yet proven himself consistently at the international level.
Head-to-Head Outlook:
Joey Canoy holds the edge in experience, durability, and fight craft. While Sam Minh Phat boasts impressive KO power, he’s largely untested against world-ranked opposition, with the exception of Chinese #1 Zhu DianXing.
Canoy’s southpaw stance and savvy approach would likely neutralize Phat’s early pressure, wearing him down in later rounds. If the fight goes deep, Canoy becomes the clear favorite. If Phat can land big early, he is a huge chance to pull the win. If not, he’ll struggle to keep up with Canoy’s pace and discipline.
Great and intriguing fight !!
PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭 STAR A REAL UNDERDOG
Betting markets have just gone up, and as you'd expect, Mexico's Emanuel Navarrete is quoted as an "unbeatable" favourite against the "King's Warrior" Charly Suarez.
But world boxing fans are not so well informed, and often fickle, and these opening markets offer huge value to those loyal to the chances of the Philippines' best boxer.
Here's how the two fighters line up according to BoxLive :
PREVIEW
When is Navarrete vs Suarez?
Emanuel Navarrete will face the challenge of Charly Suarez on Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at Pechanga Arena, San Diego.
The fight will be contested over 12 rounds in the Super Featherweight division, which means the weight limit will be 130 pounds (9.3 stone or 59 kg).
This contest is for the WBO super featherweight championship of the world.
FIGHTER STATS
Emanuel Navarrete steps into the ring with a record of 39 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, 32 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Charly Suarez will make his way to the ring with an unblemished record of 18 wins and 0 draws, with 10 of those by knockout.
The stats suggest Navarrete has a large advantage in power over Suarez, boasting a 82% knockout percentage compared to Suarez's 56%.
Emanuel Navarrete is the younger man by 6 years, at 30 years old.
Navarrete has a height advantage of 1 inch over Suarez. This also extends to a 7-inch reach advantage.
Both Emanuel Navarrete and Charly Suarez fight out of an orthodox stance.
Navarrete is the more experienced professional fighter, having had 24 more fights, and made his debut in 2012, 7 years earlier than Suarez, whose first professional fight was in 2019. He has fought 123 more professional rounds, totaling 246 compared to Suarez's 123.
Emanuel Navarrete goes into the fight ranked number 1 by The Ring at super featherweight.
Charly Suarez is currently ranked number 15 by the WBC, 1 by the WBO, and 4 by the IBF in the 130lb division.
CURRENT FORM
Navarrete has beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going the distance once.
In his last fight, he beat Oscar Valdez on December 7, 2024, by knockout in the 6th round in their WBO World Junior Lightweight championship fight at Footprint Center, Phoenix, United States.
Prior to that, he had been beaten by Denys Berinchyk on May 18, 2024, by split decision in their WBO World Lightweight championship fight at Pechanga Arena, San Diego.
Going into that contest, he had drawn with Robson Conceicao on November 16, 2023, by majority draw in their 12 round contest in their WBO World Junior Lightweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
Before that, he had beaten Oscar Valdez on August 12, 2023, by unanimous decision in their WBO World Junior Lightweight championship fight at Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale.
He had won against Liam Wilson on February 3, 2023, by technical knockout in the 9th round in their WBO World Junior Lightweight championship fight at Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale.
Charly Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) had several hundred fights as an amateur, representing his homeland at the 2016 Olympics and several World Championships.
A six-year pro, he won a pair of regional titles in March 2023 when he scored a come-from-behind 12th-round stoppage over Paul Fleming on hostile turf in Sydney, Australia.
The Fleming triumph paved the way for a deal with Top Rank, and Suarez has won three straight fights in America. He knocked out Jorge Castañeda in three rounds last September, which came five months removed from a hard-fought eight-round decision over Louie Coria.
ACTIVITY CHECK
Navarrete's last 5 fights have come over a period of 2 years, 3 months and 7 days, which means he has been fighting approximately every 5 months and 14 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 51 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 10.2 rounds on average.
Navarrete will be making his 4th defense of the WBO World Junior Lightweight Championship. He won this belt against Liam Wilson in February 2023.He had held this belt for 2 years, 1 month and 23 days.
Suarez has had 2 fights in 2023, and 2 fights in 2024. His most recent was a knockout victory in September of last year against Jorge Castañeda. This will be his first attempt at the WBO World Title.
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