Các bạn thân mến – có rất nhiều bình luận xoay quanh trận đấu vừa qua của Trần Văn Thảo tại Tokyo. Nhiều ý kiến mang tính động viên, nhưng cũng không ít những lời chỉ trích khá gay gắt.
Ai cũng có quyền tự do bày tỏ quan điểm.
Nhưng để cân bằng lại những quan điểm đó, tôi muốn chia sẻ với các bạn một góc nhìn có thêm bối cảnh và chuyên môn.
Trong bài viết trước, tôi không chỉ nói Nhật Bản giỏi boxing – tôi nói họ LÀ GIỎI NHẤT!
Nghe có vẻ phóng đại? Vậy hãy đọc tiếp.
Nhật Bản hiện đang sở hữu 5 võ sĩ hàng đầu thế giới ở hạng cân của Trần Văn Thảo, và 8 người trong top 10.
Điều này là cực kỳ hiếm thấy!
Không một quốc gia nào khác thống trị một hạng cân danh giá như vậy – kể cả Hoa Kỳ!
Và đừng quên, Nhật Bản còn có "quái vật" Naoya Inoue, người được xem là võ sĩ hay nhất thế giới hiện nay.
Trần Văn Thảo vừa thượng đài với một tay đấm được dự đoán sẽ là ngôi sao tương lai của Nhật Bản ở hạng Bantamweight – và điều đó hoàn toàn hợp lý vì anh ta từng là vô địch thế giới nghiệp dư.
Đây là một đối thủ rất nghiêm túc – không phải “tay mơ” nào cả.
Tôi đã tham gia boxing quốc tế nhiều năm, và không bao giờ dùng từ “huyền thoại” hay “người hùng” một cách tùy tiện.
Nên hãy hiểu rõ ngữ cảnh sau đây.
Trần Văn Thảo đến từ một đất nước chưa có nền boxing chuyên nghiệp phát triển.
Việc thi đấu thường xuyên và tập luyện với đối thủ đẳng cấp cao là điều gần như không thể tại Việt Nam lúc này.
Đây là bất lợi rất lớn cho các võ sĩ tài năng của chúng ta.
Dù vậy, Thảo vẫn đạt được xếp hạng thế giới, và trở thành võ sĩ Việt Nam đầu tiên được mời thi đấu trên sân khấu lớn nhất thế giới, đối đầu với một đối thủ đẳng cấp cao.
Không những thế, anh còn là trận đấu chính trong loạt trận phụ trước trận tranh đai vô địch thế giới.
ĐÂY LÀ CỘT MỐC LỊCH SỬ CỦA BOXING CHUYÊN NGHIỆP VIỆT NAM!!
Đây là dấu ấn đặc biệt – và Trần Văn Thảo xứng đáng được xem là một người hùng.
TRẬN ĐẤU THÌ SAO?
Vâng – tất cả chúng ta đều xem rồi.
Nhưng điều đáng nể hơn là: Chính Thảo đã can đảm bước vào và chiến đấu.
Thua là xác suất 50% của mọi trận đấu, nhưng Thảo đã cho cả thế giới thấy rằng võ sĩ Việt Nam KHÔNG BAO GIỜ GỤC NGÃ!
Không bỏ cuộc – và phẩm chất đó là điều rất hiếm ở con người. Màn thể hiện của Thảo là nguồn cảm hứng lớn.
Đối thủ trước đó của Tomoya Tsuboi có thành tích 14 thắng – 2 thua, nhưng bị hạ KO chỉ trong 2 hiệp.
Những bài học sau thất bại rất giá trị với mọi võ sĩ – và chính điều đó sẽ giúp Thảo phát triển mạnh mẽ hơn rất nhiều, đặc biệt nếu anh có cơ hội trở lại sàn đấu thế giới.
Giờ đây, Thảo hiểu rõ trình độ cần thiết để thi đấu ở đỉnh cao, thậm chí còn rõ hơn bất kỳ ai trong chúng ta ngồi xem ở nhà.
Tôi là người làm nghề tổ chức, và nếu tôi là promoter phía Nhật, tôi chắc chắn sẽ mời Thảo quay lại lần nữa!
Tinh thần chiến đấu và sự bền bỉ của anh ấy đã nâng tầm thương hiệu boxing Việt Nam trên trường quốc tế – và đó là một thành tựu không thể phủ nhận.
Có bài học rút ra không?
Tất nhiên – là rất nhiều!
Hãy chờ đợi sự trở lại của đại sứ boxing chuyên nghiệp Việt Nam – khỏe hơn, nhanh hơn và thông minh hơn bao giờ hết!
VIỆT NAM 🇻🇳 – VỮNG BƯỚC TIẾN LÊN!
When you're talking boxing, you're talking tough and Mexican in the same breath !
So Vietnam's Tran Van Thao aka "the Trigger", despite a ring absence of more than a year, wasn't looking for anything easy when he chose Mexican Kenbun Torres as his opponent.
As you can see, both boys were SHREDDED and turned up in DEMON shape at the weigh-in, and this fight lived up to all the hype.
Great job boys !
Tran Van Thao will be back in the ring in January, on a huge card that will include Genesis Servania and another top
Philippines boxer (soon to be announced) at the Paradise City in Incheon Korea.
Vietnam
will like have another representative in the form of the "Hanoi Hitman" Nguyễn Văn Hải, and also a recent visitor from Botswana
Moabi Ngaka is rumoured for possible inclusion.
Watch the full fight here : https://youtu.be/JFyFGS8juow?si=kBNMrmYQVIKIMjMW
"The Trigger" Tran Van Thao brought the big drama show to The Grand Ho Tram today, showing attitude in a feisty face off with granite Mexican Kenbun Torres.
Six great fights are scheduled for Ho Tram tomorrow night, with the highlight being a WBO Global title contest.
Vietnam's Thai Hoàng Huy will be the other home team representative, and he battles Botswana former amateur star Moabi Ngaka.
The Grand Ho Tram Resort and Casino will be the focal point of the best fight action Asia has to offer this Saturday night.
The headline event is the WBO Global bout between China's Zhu Dianxing and Thailand's Yotboon Sanchai over 12 rounds.
The China star was recently in Vietnam, where he totally dismantled top local Sam Minh Phát, and took his superb record to 10 wins with only one loss.
The main undercard bout is of huge interest to Vietnam fans, as it marks the return of "Trigger" Tran Van Thao to the squared circle.
Thao is Vietnam's best performed professional, winning 15 of his 16 bouts to date, and he looks to make his first match in over a year a memorable one. Trigger takes on tough Mexican Kenbun Torres, and when we say that, we are recommending that TOUGH and MEXICAN be made into one word ! Torres is dangerous too - in his 12 wins, 9 have tasted the canvas.
The other bout of note for Vietnam is the match between fledgling boxer Thai Hoang Huy and Botswana talent Moabi Ngaka (pictured).
Former Muay Thai student Huy turned to boxing only this year, yet has already picked up 4 wins and scored 2 knockouts for the highlight reel.
African visitor Moabi Ngaka is known as "The Eagle" and at first glance, it's easy to see why. Ngaka is very tall and rangy, and likes to attack his prey from range.
This Botswana boxer has won two gold medals in national youth championships before turning pro, so he will have the experience edge over his very willing Vietnam opponent, but this has the makings of a really interesting fight.
"Ho Tram RUMBLE" will boast 6 great fights, with the action getting underway around 6.30pm.
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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