VSP PROMOTIONS | LINN SANDSTROM LOVES PHILIPPINES !

LINN SANDSTROM LOVES PHILIPPINES !

Sweden's Linn Sandstrom had previously visited the Philippines for training camps back in 2019, and returned in March of this year to fight with Cagayan De Oro's Aisah Alico.

Both girls are back for ANNIHILATION UKC, but this time face different opponents. The "Sandstorm" has kept busy, winning bouts in Costa Rica and Australia since her Manila success.

"I love the Philippines, the people are warm like the weather. They always make me feel very welcome, it's almost like I'm an honorary citizen. I'm very excited to be back fighting there again, and really pumped to be on a card with so many great and talented boxers" enthused the Swedish slugger.

Linn Sandstrom will fight Thailand's Khwunchit Khunya in a 6 round bantamweight contest.

ANNIHILATION UKC

Elorde Sports Centre Paranaque Manila Sunday August 7th

WATCH IT LIVE AT:https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion

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LATEST NEWS

February 5, 2025

THIS ONE REALLY SUCKS !!

Bigtime disappointed that this match between old dog Mark John Yap and up and coming star Alexander Fredrikkson failed to meet the approval of GAB.

VSP had already run the story that what appeared to be a mismatch on paper - Yap with 34 wins up against Fredrikkson with only1 win would very likely turn out to be the fight of the night !

The deeds of Mark John Yap are well known.

But how about this kid who is one of the shining prospects of Omega Cebu.

Alexander Fredrikkson has been competing since he was 13 years of age, and has already amassed a super impressive record that will likely give him plenty of success as a higher level professional.

It certainly places him well in advance of your typical early stage fighter !

Consider this :

Fredrikkson went 178-7 in amateur fights.

He was a 6x national champion, and was ranked #3 European, #5 ranked in the world juniors at his peak.

His only fight as a professional lasted literally seconds into a first round demolition job.

Now regulators like GAB have an important role to play, especially when it comes to the safety of the sport’s competitors.

But is an inexperienced or debut boxer safe in the ring with Alexander Fredrikkson ?

I say NO !!

Bring on Mark John Yap !!!!

February 4, 2025

LOVE THIS

Life isn't so easy in some parts of the planet - especially if you're a homeless street kid in Papua New Guinea.

My good friend Junior Kauko Raka has set up a street gym to reign in the wayward energies of Port Moresby youth, and he has been given wings courtesy of the very generous collaborations with local companies like Comlek and the Pang family.

It's life-changing what you guys are doing right now, and Junior - I must say how very proud I am of you for all your inspirational work.

Acknowledgement by Junior Raka :

"Thank you Comlek Group PNG, for Feeding the Street Kids and the homeless kids at my Street Kids Gym at Koki, special thanks to Mr and Mrs, Michael Donaldson and Rebecca Donaldson, the Comlek team, and also the Country Manager Anthony Aruha, for supporting this Street Kids making their afternoon full of joy and laughter.

Thankyou again and Big thanks to Mr James PANG and PANG Family for providing a gym and shelter for this Street KIDS Thankyou so much."

January 31, 2025

"MORRELL TO KNOCKOUT BENAVIDEZ "

David Morrell’s coach, Ronnie Shields, predicts a knockout win against the favorite, David Benavidez, this Saturday, February 1st.

Shields doesn’t know which round Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) will KO Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs), but he feels it will happen because his power will be too much for him. Benavidez has similar ideas, thinking he will hurt Morrell and score a knockout. Morrell has always done well against fighters who came to him looking to exchange, and Benavidez is tailor-made for his style.

“I don’t care if it’s by decision or knockout. What I care is I’m going to win, and I’m going to be the one coming out on top.” said David Morrell.

“He has to do both. You can’t fight Benavidez one way. You got to fight him at his own game, too,” said Morrell’s trainer, Ronnie Shields to Sean Zittel about Morrell needing to fight going backwards and coming forward against Benavidez.

Morrell will have no choice but to brawl and box Benavidez if he wants to win or survive 12 rounds without getting knocked out. Benavidez is a pressure fighter. That’s in his DNA, and he won’t let up even for a second in that fight. We saw that in his last fight against the bigger, stronger Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th last year. Benavidez constantly pressured the more powerful former WBC light heavyweight champion Gvozdyk and made him move to keep from getting stopped. Gvozdyk lacked the gas tank, youth, or willingness to stand his ground or attack regularly, which allowed Benavidez to win almost every round uncontested.

"Just because he [Morrell] has 11 fights doesn’t mean you don’t have the experience of doing it,” said Shields when asked what happens if Benavidez wants to drag Morrell into deep waters in the later rounds. “This is why we have the gym. This is why we train every single day for this thing.” Morrell has the experience in the amateurs, but he hasn’t fought anyone in the pros like Benavidez, and will put him under the gun for twelve grueling rounds. One way of dealing with Benavidez’s pressure is to go for a knockout early because he will be there to be hit.

Morrell has shown power to knockout fighters who have never been stopped in their careers. Benavidez hasn’t fought anyone yet with the kind of power that Morrell has, and he might fold once he starts getting hit hard on the head and body.

Although he likes to call himself a “Monster,” he is human, and his resume is thin on talented opposition. Morrell and his manager, Luis Decubas Sr., are right that Benavidez has fought many older, smaller fighters with one foot out the door into retirement. His trainer/dad, Jose Benavidez Sr., has protected him well all these years, matching him selectively to build his 29-0 record.

They had hoped to convince Canelo Alvarez to fight them, but he wasn’t fooled. He saw the fake record and wasn’t fooled. It’s the same bit that Edgar Berlanga and Jaime Munguia did. Fight fluff opposition, build a plastic record, and then angle for a big payday against Canelo. It’s sneaky, but it works.

MORRELL BY KO, SAYS SHIELDS

“He’s going to feel the power when he’s close, and he’s going to feel the power when Morrell is at a distance. So, we feel we have the advantage both ways. I really truly believe Morrell is going to knock him out. I don’t know when, and I don’t care when. That’s just my gut feeling that we’re going to knock him out,” said Shields.

Morrell can knock Benavidez out, but he’s going to need to fight more aggressively than he did in his last fight against ‘Hot Rod’ Radivoje Kalajdzic for him to do it. In that fight, Morrell didn’t pressure enough and stay on top of Radivoje to get the knockout. He hurt him several times but didn’t go after him.

*story courtesy of Boxing News 24

January 23, 2025

Naoya Inoue 121.8 vs. Ye Joon Kim 121.7

Weigh-in Results earlier today.

The world title fight will be held at the Ariake Arena Tokyo on Friday night.

January 22, 2025

WELCOME BACK KEITH THURMAN !

One of the best to ever do it is back from the wilderness and headed to Australia.

KEITH "ONE TIME" THURMAN

January 21, 2025

WHAT THE HELL TOP RANK ??

You have the world's most expensive Bugatti - and you got it collecting dust in the garage !!

WBO Super Featherweight #1 contender Charly Suarez waits in limbo, while his potential victims are hoping he gets real old !

Top Rank have already had two boxers (Henry Lebron and Andres Cortes) shamelessly duck the Philippines 🇵🇭 freak talent at late notice

ie Sorry Charly - you're just too damn good for our expensive roster - can you just go away !!

C'mon guys, don't postpone the inevitable !

We know it's just business, and Suarez doesn't sell in America, but after he blows away Emmanuel Navarrete - surely you can get some ROI at his next fight ?

In the meantime, keep your boy busy.

Give him one of those lame ducks on your roster to keep the tools sharp.

C'mon Top Rank - the CHAMP DESERVES BETTER !!

January 18, 2025

DOES VIETNAM NEED A PRO COMMISSION ?

Yes - professional boxing requires a regulatory environment in which to operate, and the good news is - VIETNAM already has one !

The Vietnam Boxing Organization - VBO

Should there be additional commissions?

Or in fact an alternative to take it's place ?

Lots of misinformation on this topic, so let me contribute what I have learned in the many years I have been associated with pro boxing.

Regulators for professional boxing around the world have historically shown huge differences in both competency and ethical approaches to the sport.

In an attempt to work towards acceptable global standards, these are some of the criteria that both existing regulators and the industry record keeper BoxRec agree upon, and strive for :

1.The Pro Commission must have

NO AFFILIATIONS with AMATEUR BOXING.

Hence - VBF and HBF can not be the appropriate professional regulatory body for boxing here in Vietnam.

2.The Pro Commission must meet acceptable International standards.

This recognition will often be formalized with bilateral agreements between countries to denote that they are agreeable that the mutual standards are upheld, and allows for the trusted interchange of professional boxers.

3. The recognition of the Commission competency will also progress to the ability to communicate results of professional events to the industry record keeper BoxRec.

The stringent requirements to be endorsed as a professional regulator, manifest in far more accurate and valuable data for BoxRec.

This is a huge asset to an industry where in sadder times, results were often manufactured or misrepresented.

4. The professional boxing industry is loathe to accept or approve "multiple commissions" in a country, especially if a new player.

The legacy of multiple commissions in various regions has played out very poorly - often with an erosion in standards, commercial viability, and a strong bias towards imbibed cronyism.

Enough said - Vietnam 🇻🇳 already has a professional boxing commission.

So if the infighting and self interest subside, we are now armed and ready to make

VIETNAM a WORLD LEADING FIGHT BRAND !!

On the subject of Pro Commissions, and what they actually do, here are some basics :

Professional boxing requires a commission to oversee and regulate the sport, ensuring a safe and fair competition for fighters, promoters, and spectators. Here are some key reasons why a commission is necessary:

Safety and Fighter Welfare

1. Medical standards: Commissions establish and enforce medical standards to protect fighters' health and safety.

2. Weight classes: Commissions regulate weight classes to prevent fighters from competing at unhealthy weights.

3. Fighter licensing: Commissions issue licenses to fighters, ensuring they meet medical and experience requirements.

Fairness and Integrity

1. Judging and scoring: Commissions appoint and oversee judges, ensuring fair and accurate scoring. They also lodge these results to BoxRec.

2. Rules enforcement: Commissions enforce rules and regulations, preventing fouls and ensuring a fair contest.

3. Anti-doping: Commissions implement anti-doping programs to prevent performance-enhancing substances.

Promoter and Event Oversight

1. Event sanctioning: Commissions sanction events, ensuring promoters meet safety, medical, and financial requirements.

2. Promoter licensing: Commissions issue licenses to promoters, ensuring they meet financial and experience requirements.

3. Financial oversight: Commissions oversee financial aspects, such as fighter purses and ticket sales.

Governance and Accountability

1. Regulatory framework: Commissions establish and enforce regulations, providing a framework for the sport.

2. Dispute resolution: Commissions provide a mechanism for resolving disputes between fighters, promoters, and other stakeholders.

3. Accountability: Commissions hold promoters, fighters, and other stakeholders accountable for their actions.

The commission plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity, safety, and fairness of professional boxing.

January 18, 2025

COMING TO ILAGAN CITY THIS FEBRUARY

Hot Elorde prospect Wesley Caga is set to take on the Hardstone Monis hope Louie Jay Albino for the coveted WBF Silver Bantamweight title.

Both of these young fighters are coming off recent wins, and are looking to surge up the rankings in the very strong local bantamweight scene.

BAKBAKAN SA ILAGAN will take place at the Capital Arena in Ilagan City on February 8th.

Caga v Albino will be the main event on a quality 6 bout card - updates on this coming soon.

The event will be promoted under the ELORDE UKC banner, and has been made possible with the kind co-operation of the Local Government Unit of the City of Ilagan.

#liveablecityofilagan #worldboxingfoundation #elordegym #elorde

January 16, 2025

Success in Boxing: 30% Talent, 70% Great Management

The upcoming January 24th fight between Korean boxer Kim Ye Joon and Naoya Inoue is a historic event in Korean boxing. While the spotlight is on the fighters, it's crucial to acknowledge the role of exceptional management in making this fight a reality.

Mike Altamura, Ye Joon's manager, highlights the significance of proactive management in a boxer's career. With a resume boasting 13 world champions and fight deals in 72 countries, Mike's experience speaks volumes.

He graciously shares how he strategically positioned Ye Joon for the Inoue fight, demonstrating a proactive approach that's often lacking in Asian boxing. Some selfish managers choke careers, by clinging to boxers and waiting for a lucky break instead of actively pursuing opportunities.

This fight exemplifies the importance of a skilled manager who can navigate the complexities of the boxing world, secure lucrative fights, and maximize a boxer's potential within their limited career window.

Mike Altamura

"Last May I had TJ Doheny whom I manage on reserve for the Tokyo Dome event in an 8 rounder. We were strategically there in case Luis Nery missed weight or something transpired. Call it an insurance policy.

I was with Mr Honda of Teiken Promotions on Dec 15 in Osaka, a day after Goodman's initial cut and postponement. I floated to him to do similar to TJ with Ye-Joon. Given Goodman's potential for either to be re cut or the cut not heal, place us on reserve. Joon is rated and has a solid record. A week later, he called me to make that a reality.

We negotiated the fee and I had him scheduled against a Filipino. We remained focused on that task but knew the possibility of the Inoue fight landing was always there, so we strategically readied for him too. 48 hours ago, the call arrived! I've had a strong history working together with Mr. Honda which makes all dealings in Japan smoother" --

January 11, 2025

PRIDE AND JOY: PEDRO TADURAN

The Ring cites Taduran’s upset KO victory

Story courtesy of Nick Giongco - Daily Tribune

Before taking on Shigeoka, Taduran had absorbed controversial defeats at the hands of Rene Mark Cuarto and the Japanese fighter’s camp may have thought that he was already in decline.

Pedro Taduran was supposed to serve as cannon fodder for Ginjiro Shigeoka, the heavy-handed and unbeaten champion from Japan when they rumbled in late-July last year in Otsu City.

Instead, it was Filipino southpaw who came out on top by forcing American referee Steve Willis to step in with 10 seconds remaining before the end of the ninth round as Shigeoka, who was defending his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight crown, was being pummeled on the ropes by Taduran.

The stunning win, pulled off after Taduran’s relentless punching and display of steely nerves, was enough for the venerable Ring magazine to pick it among 2024’s biggest upsets, according to Viva Promotions, which has a stake in the IBF champion’s affairs.

His dramatic victory over Shigeoka, then ranked by the Ring as its top fighter in the powerhouse 105-lb division, earned him a nomination as well in the Comeback of the Year category.

Before taking on Shigeoka, Taduran had absorbed controversial defeats at the hands of Rene Mark Cuarto and the Japanese fighter’s camp may have thought that he was already in decline.

But Taduran showed everyone he was far from being done as he mauled the erstwhile Shigeoka, using crackling combinations to the head and body in the entirety of their bloody brawl before a stunned crowd at the Shiga Daihatsu Arena.

By the time the third man on the ring intervened, Shigeoka’s right eye was swollen shut and for safety precautions, the fallen fighter had to be stretchered out of the ring for further examination.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot for Taduran to make a choice defense against Filipino challenger Ar-Ar Andales in late-February or early-March.

In fact, “that’s our focus during our training,” Taduran said.

He was originally scheduled to face Chinese knockout puncher Zhu Dianxing last November in Jeju Island, Korea, but the Vietnam-based Korean promoter Cocky Buffalo encountered financial problems in the runup to the fight.

Taduran reported back for training a few days ago after spending the holidays in his native Bicol.

Handling his daily grind at the Elorde Sports Center is Carl Peñalosa Jr.

Presently, Taduran joins fellow 105-pounder Melvin Jerusalem as the country’s world champions.

Jerusalem is the World Boxing Council titleholder.

#vspboxing #vsppro #vietnamboxingorganization #boxingvietnam #Elorde #elordegym

January 11, 2025

VSP PROMOTIONS HAS GONE GLOBAL !!

It's official.

Boxing is indeed your passport to the world !

You will have noticed that VSP has been spruiking the potential of Papua New Guinea's 🇵🇬 boxers for some time now.

Junior Kauko Raka pioneered his flag with high level bouts in the Philippines and Vietnam, and now other top prospects are following his path.

Paul Nasari and Neutral Corner Promotions in Australia are big supporters of the growth of the sport, and have offered up some great fights on their March 29th card.

But it's going to be super hard to beat this one !

The "BOUGAINVILLE BOMBER" FIDELIS LAIA will make his pro debut against a guy who is revered in Vietnam - Jayden "the Bullet" Buan.

Jayden was a former amateur standout, who came to Vietnam as a 16 year old and performed on the biggest stages of Victory8.

He has since gone pro, and is an unbeaten 3-0.

But rather than duck and weave an easy path, the Bullet is embracing far more challenging opponents to fast track his pro education.

AND FIDELIS LAIA IS "MORE CHALLENGING" !

The Bougainville amateur team member has overcome numerous challenges and setbacks in his amateur journey, yet was still able to attain the status of twice been awarded national champ.

He has also tasted success in Oceania tournaments, which affords him that extremely valuable experience that will carry through to his pro debut.

And what a debut !

Whilst it could be argued that it's hard to find a more difficult first up assignment than Jayden Buan, the Bougainville Bomber was crafted from granite and tailor made for the professional format.

Win - lose - draw - expect to see an EPIC BATTLE to be produced courtesy of this man from Bougainville - Fidelis Laia 🇵🇬

Kudos Paul Nasari and the team at Neutral Corner for making these great fights and giving our boys a stage to shine !

#vspboxing #vietnamboxing #VSPPromotions #NeutralCornerPromotions

January 10, 2025

TADURAN THE COMEBACK KID

IBF World Champion Pedro Taduran has been nominated in two categories by the prestigious RING magazine.

As per their media :

THE RING AWARDS Upset of the Year Nominees 🏆

These victories shocked the world and reminded us why we love this sport.

🥊 Bakhram Murtazaliev TKO3 Tim Tszyu

🥊 Bruno Surace KO6 Jaime Munguia

🥊 Liam Paro UD12 Subriel Matias

🥊 Angelo Leo KO10 Luis Alberto Lopez

🥊 Phumelele Cafu SD12 Kosei Tanaka

🥊 Pedro Taduran TKO9 Ginjiro Shigeoka

The nights that rewrote the script. Winner announced Jan 11th 🥊

THE RING AWARDS Comeback of the Year Nominees 🏆

True champions are defined not by their falls, but by how they rise. These fighters showed the heart of boxing in 2024 with incredible returns to glory.

Winner announced Jan 11th 🥊

#RINGMagazine

January 9, 2025

LACAR SECURES WBC TITLE IN CHINA

Nice write up by the WBC after Surigao's Vencent Lacar posted an epic win over Olympian Bin Lu on December 28th.

"Filipino boxer Vencent Lacar made history on December 28, 2024, with a sensational performance to capture the WBC Far East flyweight title. Lacar overcame the experienced former Olympian and world title challenger Bin Liu of China in a dramatic bout held during the Boxing Gala in Haikou, China.

The highly anticipated contest lived up to expectations, with both fighters showcasing their skills and determination. Lacar’s speed, precision, and resilience proved decisive in a closely contested 10-round battle. The split decision victory was a testament to the Filipino pugilist’s grit and tactical acumen against a formidable opponent on Liu’s home soil.

The judges’ scorecards reflected the competitive nature of the fight. Two judges scored the bout in favor of Lacar, with tallies of 98-92 and 97-93, while the third judge saw it 94-96 for Liu. Despite the split verdict, the majority decision cemented Lacar’s status as one of the rising stars in the flyweight division.

Lacar’s victory is a significant milestone in his career, as he adds the prestigious WBC Far East flyweight title to his resume. His triumph also serves as an inspiration to Filipino boxing fans and underscores the country’s rich tradition in the sport.

With this win, Lacar has positioned himself as a serious contender for a potential world title opportunity, further solidifying his reputation on the international stage."

#vsppromotions #VSPBoxing #VSPpromotions #vspboxing #VSPPromotions #vietnamboxing #wbcboxing

January 7, 2025

VIETNAM PRO BOXING - SEE THE WORLD !

Yes - pro boxing is your international passport.

Here's a bit of information for Vietnam boxers to get you started :

How does a Vietnam 🇻🇳 boxer get to experience the thrill of competing in a foreign event ??

Vietnam has next to no shows for professional boxers right now, so most are asking me how do they get a chance to compete outside the country.

Lot's of misinformation and misunderstanding doing the rounds in Vietnam, so here's some basic insights that you might find helpful.

VIETNAM 🇻🇳 PRO BOXERS - FOREIGN EVENTS

To compete in professional bouts overseas, Vietnam boxers must meet specific requirements. VSP Promotions helps facilitate overseas fights for Vietnam boxers.

Most international promoters and commissions generally require:

1. At least 2-3 professional bouts listed in BoxRec.

2. A valid professional boxing license (VBO)

3. Medical clearance, sometimes including a brain scan and blood tests.

International promoters often require boxers that fulfill one of these three categories :

1. 4-6 round bouts: Typically for less experienced boxers, with smaller purses - $200-500 per round.

2. 6-8 round fights: For higher-end boxers, with larger purses. $2000-4000 per fight.

3. Title matches: Usually 10-12 rounds, requiring a strong record and sanctioning body ranking. Purses can vary a lot, depending on weight class and the title, but $4000-30,000 is typical.

Eligibility Criteria for Title Matches

1. Minimum 10 wins.

2. Wins in last 2 fights.

3. Sanctioning body ranking.

4. High-level amateur record.

The international promoter is responsible for :

The contract for the bout and invitation letter to the boxer and any other team members.

The contract will also detail the Promoter's obligation to provide Air tickets, visas, transfers, the agreed prize money, accommodation, meals or a meal allowance in cash (per diems)

How does a Vietnam boxer register :

1. You must register with your local commission - Vietnam Boxing Organization (VBO)

2. Advise your interest with VSP Promotions, or any another reputable promoter, that can market you to overseas promoters, and inform them of your availability to fight.

3. If you are a registered amateur, you must seek an approval letter from VBF or HBF endorsing that you can be made available for a specified international pro bout.

Travel and Licensing Requirements

1. You will need to hold a valid passport with at least six months' validity.

2. Obtain a visa for the country where the fight will take place, if required.

The foreign promoter will pay for this.

3. Register with the athletic commission or governing body of the country where the fight will take place.

The foreign promoter will pay for this.

Hope this information helps guys - and in the meantime

SO STAY READY !!

#vspboxing #vsppro #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #vietnamboxingorganization #vbo #WBC #WBO #IBF

January 6, 2025

WHO WILL SHINE FOR VIETNAM IN 2025 ?

Lots to look forward to for our future stars in the year ahead !!

HCMC WANTS PRO BOXING !!!

The Ho Chi Minh Boxing Federation (HBF) are not just looking for more opportunities for their athletes to compete, they also see the benefits that action-packed sports entertainment like pro boxing potentially bring to this vibrant city.

The HBF have already taken the visionary steps to inform their friends and industry in many social media posts.

HBF boss Mr. Nguyễn Vinh Nghi is only relatively new to his role - but has already made a huge impact for Vietnam 🇻🇳 professional boxing.

He has been pivotal in getting Vietnam boxers opportunities to fight overseas, and provided stewardship for the most recent local event in Ho Chi Minh City.

Expect to see many more exciting events in Saigon this coming year - starting February.

Vietnam 🇻🇳 boxers were also were becoming an exciting brand as last year progressed, and were in increasing demand.

VSP sent boxers to Australia,Tanzania, Russia, Dubai, South Korea, Taiwan and China.

2025 will see that PRO BOXERS become 🇻🇳 Vietnam's proudest export.

BRING IT ON !!!

January 4, 2025

VENCENT LACAR ENTERS IN STYLE

The walkout into the Wuyuanhe arena by Surigao's Vencent Lacar.

Less than an hour later, the Philippines 🇵🇭 fighter was hoisting the WBO and WBC belts after a monumental win over Chinese Olympian Bin Lu.

December 30, 2024

VENCENT LACAR DEFYS ALL ODDS

Undefeated Vencent Lacar of Surigao del Norte gave Chinese Olympian Bin Lu a neat boxing lesson Saturday night in Haikou, China.

Despite only having eight professional fights going into the fight, Lacar, who didn’t have any amateur experience, conducted a master class en route to snatching the World Boxing Council Far East and World Boxing Organization Oriental flyweight titles via split decision.

The scorecards read: 96-94 (Lacar), 97-93 (Lacar) and 96-94 (Lu).

The stunning win came with a nice prize.

“It was a really good performance. Bin Lu was way more experienced, very technical but Vencent stayed focused the entire 10 rounds, used his jab, range and distance really well,” said Vietnam-based promoter Robert Hill of VSP Promotions, who was at ringside.

“His work rate was great.”

The victory boosted Lacar’s win-loss mark to 9-0 with four stoppages.

Lacar, who only turned pro a little over two years ago, was clearly the underdog on paper against the southpaw Lu, who saw his record sink to 4-2.

The Chinese had challenged unsuccessfully to win the World Boxing Association light-fly crown in 2018 in Malaysia.

Before embarking on a pro career, Lu won gold in the 2012 Youth Olympics in Armenia and represented China in the 2016 Rio Olympics where he went as far as the round-of-16.

*story courtesy of Nick Giongco - Daily Tribune

December 24, 2024

2024 VBO ANNUAL REPORT

December 24, 2024

Dear Partners,

I would like to take this moment to first wish you and your family a safe and blessed holiday season.

This annual report serves as a benchmark for our progress and a commitment to transparency in our operations. In 2024, a notable decline occurred in the number of professional boxing events held domestically. This downturn was primarily attributed to the cessation of grassroots events by VSP Promotions, a key promoter that played a crucial role in introducing new talent to the domestic professional boxing scene.

The challenges faced in organizing professional boxing events in Vietnam intensified in 2024 compared to the previous year, a reflection of the current market conditions. We anticipate this trend to persist in 2025 due to the continued existence of an unsupportive environment for event organizers, fostered by the local amateur boxing federation.

VBO organized the gathering of 10 commissions in Asia in 8/2024. It is our view that Asia has a fundamental challenge in how boxing is managed and supervised. Standardization and coherent cooperation models that have actionable and measurable outcomes will need to be developed in order to create more regional opportunities for the industry participants.

DOMESTIC REPORT 2024

	2024	2023
Events supervised by VBO	4 of 5	13 of 15
Total number of bouts in the year	35	132
Number of Vietnamese Boxers	42	176
Number of debut boxers	23	89
Number of new female boxers in 2024	none	10
Number of Title fights in Vietnam in 2024 (excluding non-VBO sanctioned events)	WBO Asia Pacific Feather WBO Global Minimum x 2 IBF Asia Pacific Welter	WBO Oriental Youth WBO Global Minimum
Safety Incidents	None	None

INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2024

Number of Countries represented in Vietnam	11
Botswana, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Mongolia, Russia, Thailand, USA, Vietnam
Number of Overseas events for Vietnamese boxers	Taiwan (2), Korea (3), Russia (1), China (2)
Number of Overseas bouts for Vietnamese boxers	8
Performance by Vietnamese boxers overseas	4 Wins / 6 Losses

The VBO remains dedicated to securing international fight opportunities for Vietnamese boxers within safe environments. While the organization provides recommendations, the final decision to accept a fight rests solely with the boxers and their coaching teams.

OFFICIALS OF VBO REPORT 2024

Number of officials under VBO	8
Number of trainings provided to Officials	3 times
Number of training hours provided to Officials	3 hours

VBO collects detailed performance data of each official in their assigned roles at every event. We compile these data for use towards training requirements to further improve their performance.

We hope that 2025 will bring more opportunities for the boxers between partnering countries and jointly continue to improve the quality of our officials. Have a wonderful holiday season! See you all in 2025.

Sincerely,

Lim Song

President of Vietnam Boxing Organization

December 19, 2024

VENCENT LACAR GUNS FOR 2 BELTS DEC 28TH

Surigao del Norte prospect Vencent Lacar 🇵🇭 will be representing the Philippines in China on December 28th when he contests the co-main event for not just one, but two major titles.

Lacar will fight China's Olympian Bin Lu for the WBO Oriental and WBC Far East Titles at flyweight.

Bin Lu is looking to parlay his outstanding amateur form into the world pro rankings, but the unbeaten pinoy has vowed to put an end to those aspirations.

December 9, 2024

THE TRIGGERMAN SHOOTS TO KILL !

Zamboanga heavy hitter Weljon Mindoro stops Aussie Joel Camilleri with a 4th round TKO in Dubai just moments ago.

It was a sensational result for the Philippines 🇵🇭 boxer known as "The Triggerman" , as the experienced Camilleri had never been dropped in a long amateur and professional career.

Huge poise and pressure applied with blunt force trauma - the sky is the limit for Mindoro !

December 7, 2024

WHY BOXING IS THE GREATEST !

"I’ve been questioned why I take photos with my opponents the next day, especially after a defeat.

A true boxing person knows that boxing is a sport of respect, of honour, a sport that only very few have the balls to do. We aren’t enemies after the fight, we aren’t enemies before, we are just rivals in the lead up.

This man went to war with me last night and came out as the victor. For that, he deserves all of the respect in the world 🌍

I’m a tough mofo, but this man was the better and stronger warrior on the night.

Win or lose, my opponents earn my full respect for sharing the ring with me.

Much respect Weljon Mindoro 🤜🏼🤛🏼

You have a big future in the sport 💯👊🏼🇵🇭"

- JOEL CAMILLERI

December 5, 2024

AUSTRALIA v PHILIPPINES READY TO GO !

Joel Camilleri and Weljon Mindoro made weight and are looking in crazy shape for tomorrow night's clash in Dubai.

The pair will be part of the IBA Champions event to be held the The Agenda function centre in Dubai.

The 8 round bout will be a real test for the boy from Zamboanga, who has won all his previous fights by KNOCKOUT !

Interestingly, the experienced Australian opponent has never touched the canvas in either the amateurs or the pros - including a torrid battle against former world champion Tim Tszyu.

This will be a cracking fight. We will show the live feed here tomorrow night.

December 4, 2024

PACMAN - IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER

The sand in the hourglass of Manny Pacquiao’s on-again, off-again flirtation with fighting could be winding down.

The Filipino icon turns 46 years old on December 17, has not fought professionally since 2021, looked like a shell of himself in a July exhibition, and is pursuing a political role in his native Phillippines early next year.

Although the eight-division champion Pacquiao, 62-8-2 (39 KOs), is a sure-fire lock to be a first-ballot International Boxing Hall of Famer when the inductees are announced later this month, “Pacman” still believes he has one more run left in him.

“He's running for Senate in the Phillippines from February 11 to May 11. If he gets something by January 31, 2025 he's ready to rumble,” Pacquiao’s promoter and right-hand man Sean Gibbons told BoxingScene. “I don't know what's going to happen after that … With Manny, he could be fighting until he's 50.”

Pacquiao had been linked to a potential bout against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios throughout the year but after looking vulnerable in his exhibition against Rukiya Anpo, Barrios instead turned the page to a title defense against Abel Ramos in November.

“Manny didn't look as good against Anpo because of a lot of things behind the scenes that went into it,” Gibbons explained. “He didn't overly prepare for it. He thought he was fighting someone else and it ended up being a bigger guy. He felt great. What else can you do? It was an exhibition. He was there just to move around. The other guy thought it was a real fight. He came to make a name off of Manny and Manny still easily cruised through the thing for a guy that got off the couch.

“I told Manny that the Barrios fight was the perfect fight to make. Things got in the way with certain people in his ear, but that fight is still possible. It could happen in June, July, or August – one last one.”

Time is running out for Pacquiao if he’s solely planning to face Barrios to become a world champion once again. On Friday, Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn said he made an offer for Barrios to next face Conor Benn.

*story courtesy of Boxing Scene

December 3, 2024

DAO TO FIGHT AT TAIPEI ARENA ON DEC 21

It's like a scene from Gladiator 2 !!

Taiwan has long been a haven for amateur boxing talent, and are now slowly testing the waters in the professional format.

This month, Vietnam 🇻🇳 boxer Tran Tan Quang Dao ventures to Taiwan to take on one of their best, and the action will go down at the prestigious Taipei Arena.

That's a quantum leap from a guy rated one of the most promising at VSP PRO, and throwing leather at VSP Gym !

Here's the story :

Vietnam 🇻🇳 boxer Tran Tan Quang Dao is set to fight one of one of Taiwan's emerging stars at the Taipei Arena on December 21st.

Kai Yu Hsieh is an unbeaten prospect and rapidly making a name for himself in the boxing world. With a perfect record of 2 wins, both victories were dominant shutout performances on points, showcasing advanced skills and technical prowess.

Hsieh's amateur background is equally impressive, having won the gold medal in the national amateur championships at 64kg.

But Hsieh's next bout against Tran Tan Quang Dao will be a significant test of his skills, and obviously a great opportunity to gain more experience and exposure.

But Tran Tan Quang Dao is on that similar path, and has implemented a "duck nobody" policy !

Identical to his opponent, Dao has already secured two wins, and many argue that he was unfortunate not to have added two more victories to his record. His two most recent bouts were closely contested, with some observers believing that the decisions could have gone in his favor.

That said, Dao is constantly seeking improvements to his craft along with new challenges, and his clash with Kai Yu Hsieh will be an excellent tribute to close out 2024.

#vspboxing #vsppro #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #vietnamboxingorganization #vbo

December 3, 2024

HAI TO MAKE A SPLASH ON JEJU ISLAND !

The "Hanoi Hitman" looks to close out 2024 in Korea next month - and he promises to do so in devastating fashion !

Hai is booked to fight former national champ Min Guk Ju - a southpaw boxer with 9 wins to his credit.

The bout will take place on Jeju Island South Korea on December 15th.

The Seoul based boxer is certainly an interesting opponent, and there are many question marks surrounding his chances in a fight with the Vietnam star.

Min Guk Ju has not fought since October of last year, yet his decision to take on a tough opponent like Nguyễn Văn Hải suggests that he is very confident of recapturing his very best form.

It also speaks loudly of a boxer that is looking to fast track his world rankings.

Min Guk Ju was controversially beaten for the WBC Asia Continental title in China - a bout he lost narrowly on points despite knocking his opponent down in the contest.

He was then stopped in Japan by the unbeaten Chihiro Iwashita - a real "hell fight" where at any moment, either boxer could get have dropped, and both were tasting moments of success.

Suffice to say - the Korean boxer is high calibre, and with vengeance on his mind, will be looking to make a statement with a victory over the classy Nguyễn Văn Hải.

But the Hanoi Hitman has plans of his own !

"Boxing has been very good to me. I get to make new friends, and I am always excited to visit new parts of the world. I am very lucky !

This will be my first chance to visit Jeju Island in Korea - I heard it is a very beautiful place.

I have full respect to my opponent - he has been a champion, and he is looking to make his mark again in the game of boxing.

But this year will end badly for him.

Hai plans to knock him out and deliver a beautiful gift to the people of Jeju Island.

I'm looking for bigger fights in 2025, so I will be devastating with Min Guk Ju.

No mercy !"

#vsppromotions #vspboxing #vsppro #boxingvietnam ##vietnamboxingorganization #vbo

November 29, 2024

VENCENT LACAR EYES TITLES ON DEC 28TH

The WBO hosted a packed media conference today, sharing details of some big title matches coming up in China on December 28th.

Leon Panoncillo, the Chairman of WBO International, previewed the big fights that await, and most importantly, what belts are at stake.

VSP Promotions are providing two of the headline bouts for this iconic event which will be held in Haikou, the capital of picturesque Hainan island.

Vencent Lacar 🇵🇭 a fighter from Surigao del Norte, will fight China's Olympian Bin Lu for the WBO Oriental and WBC Far East Titles at flyweight.

Ablaikhan Khussainov 🇰🇿 is a top prospect based in Almaty Kazakhstan, and he will be in search of the WBO Intercontinental belt at the expense of the unbeaten Yongquiang Yang. This Lightweight clash is foreshadowed to be the main event of the evening.

Congratulations to the organizers Hainan Golden Belt Sports Promotions for a highly successful media day.

#vspboxing #vsppro #vietnamboxingorganization #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #vbo #WBO

November 27, 2024

KHUSSAINOV ON HUNT FOR WBO BELT IN CHINA

In the heart of Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, nestled in the foothills of the majestic Tian Shan mountains, a relatively unknown boxing "sensation" has been quietly working on conquering the world.

Ablaikhan Khussainov, a proud son of Almaty, has long been groomed for greatness in the sport of boxing, and will be unveiled by VSP Promotions at a big event on iconic Hainan Island next month.

Growing up in a family passionate about sports and boxing, Khussainov was introduced to the sweet science from a young age. He spent countless hours honing his craft, driven by a fierce determination to succeed. As an amateur, Khussainov racked up an impressive record of 230 wins from 250 fights, showcasing his exceptional skill and tenacity. And it was this success that laid the foundation for a promising professional career.

Khussainov already boasts the impressive stats of 13-1 (10KO) in the pros, but opportunities are not easy to come by in his homeland.

So Khussainov abides by a "have gloves will travel" mindset, with the majority of his fights taking place outside of his country.

The adventurous boxer has already competed in quality bouts in Canada, China, Dubai, Mexico and Russia in his short pro career.

The 33 year old orthodox puncher draws inspiration from his idol, the legendary Kazakh boxer Gennady Golovkin (GGG).

Like Golovkin, Khussainov harbors ambitions of becoming a world champion, and his unwavering dedication to training suggests he is willing to put in the hard work necessary to achieve his goal.

When not in the gym, Khussainov enjoys relaxing in the mountains surrounding Almaty, often going hiking and climbing to clear his mind and recharge his batteries. This connection to nature helps him stay grounded and focused on his objectives.

As Khussainov prepares to face the unbeaten Yongquiang Yang for the WBO International title on December 28th, there are many in Kazakhstan that confidently suggest that this is the "big break" that he has been working towards. A win will see him step up towards the big fights that he has been dreaming of.

But every mountain summit has it's challenges, and China’s current WBO champion Yongquiang Yang has looked simply indomitable in recent appearances.

Will the mountain warrior from Almaty prove victorious and take a significant step towards realizing his world championship dreams?

#vietnamboxingorganization #vspboxing #vsppro #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #vbo

November 26, 2024

VSP TO PLAY IN BEAUTIFUL TAIPEI CITY

VSP Promotions are sending boxers to some beautiful parts of the world this December - and it doesn't get much nicer than the capital city Taipei ! Taiwan has long produced excellent amateur boxers, and is now investing in the professional sport.

Vietnam 🇻🇳 boxer Tran Tan Quang Dao is set to fight one of one of Taiwan's emerging stars at the Taipei Arena on December 21st.

Hsieh's amateur background is equally impressive, having won the gold medal in the national amateur championships at 64kg.

But Hsieh's next bout against Tran Tan Quang Dao will be a significant test of his skills, and obviously a great opportunity to gain more experience and exposure.

But Tran Tan Quang Dao is on that similar path, and has implemented a "duck nobody" policy !

That said, Dao is constantly seeking improvements to his craft along with new challenges, and his clash with Kai Yu Hsieh will be an excellent tribute to close out 2024.

#vspboxing #vsppro #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #vietnamboxingorganization #vbo

November 24, 2024

DAO TAKES ONE OF TAIWAN'S TOP PROSPECTS

Vietnam 🇻🇳 boxer Tran Tan Quang Dao is set to fight one of one of Taiwan's emerging stars at the Taipei Arena on December 21st.

Kai Yu Hsieh, an unbeaten prospect and making a name for himself in the boxing world. With a perfect record of 2 wins, both victories were dominant shutout wins on points, showcasing his impressive skills and technical prowess.

Hsieh's amateur background is equally impressive, having won the gold medal in the national amateur championships at 64kg.

But Hsieh's next bout against Tran Tan Quang Dao will be a significant test of his skills, and obviously a great opportunity to gain more experience and exposure.

But Tran Tan Quang Dao is on that similar path, and has implemented a "duck nobody" policy !

That said, Dao is constantly seeing improvements to his craft along with new challenges, and his clash with Kai Yu Hsieh will be an excellent tribute to close out 2024.

#vspboxing #vsppro #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #vietnamboxingorganization #vbo

November 24, 2024

NGUYỄN VĂN HẢI ON A KOREAN "KO" MISSION

The "Hanoi Hitman" looks to close out 2024 in Korea next month - and he promises to do so in devastating fashion !

Hai is booked to fight former national champ Min Guk Ju - a southpaw boxer with 9 wins to his credit. The bout will take place on Jeju Island South Korea on December 15th.

The Seoul based boxer is certainly an interesting opponent, and there are many question marks surrounding his chances in a fight with the Vietnam star.

Min Guk Ju has not fought since October of last year, yet his decision to take on a tough opponent like Nguyễn Văn Hải suggests that he is very confident of recapturing his very best form.

It also speaks loudly of a boxer that is looking to fast track his world rankings.

Min Guk Ju was controversially beaten for the WBC Asia Continental title in China - a bout he lost narrowly on points despite knocking his opponent down in the contest.

He was then stopped in Japan by the unbeaten Chihiro Iwashita - a real "hell fight" where at any moment, either boxer could get have dropped, and both were tasting moments of success.

Suffice to say - the Korean boxer is high calibre, and with vengeance on his mind, will be looking to make a statement with a victory over the classy Nguyễn Văn Hải.

But the Hanoi Hitman has plans of his own !

"Boxing has been very good to me. I get to make new friends, and I am always excited to visit new parts of the world. I am very lucky !

This will be my first chance to visit Jeju Island in Korea - I heard it is a very beautiful place.

I have full respect to my opponent - he has been a champion, and he is looking to make his mark again in the game of boxing.

But this year will end badly for him.

Hai plans to knock him out and deliver a beautiful gift to the people of Jeju Island.

I'm looking for bigger fights in 2025, so I will be devastating with Min Guk Ju.

No mercy !"

#vsppromotions #vspboxing #vsppro #boxingvietnam ##vietnamboxingorganization #vbo

November 22, 2024

HAVE THE WBA LOST THE PLOT ??

It's seems that the World Boxing Association are permanently on their backs with their knees pinned behind their ears !

Years of inconsistent and slutty sanctioning has seen the WBA deleted from the industry's official record keeper BoxRec.

So I guess nobody would be surprised by the following :

"Boxing promoter, Lou DiBella gives his thoughts on WBA president Gilberto J Mendoza’s shameful tweet, where he insisted he would “love to see” Jake Paul vs Julio César Chávez Jr for a “championship belt” "

November 22, 2024

VENCENT LACAR TO FIGHT FOR TITLES IN CHINA

Exciting breaking news is that VSP have just signed Mindanao prospect Vencent Lacar to challenge for both the WBO Oriental and WBC Far East titles on December 28th.

Lacar, who boasts an unblemished 8-0 record, will take on former Chinese Olympian Bin Lu.

The Chinese boxer is world youth champion and Asian Games medalist as an amateur, and sits at 4-1 since turning professional.

The bout will take place at city of Haikou, the capital of the very beautiful Hainan Island off the coast of Vietnam.

Updates on this big fight coming soon - meanwhile, here is some information on the Chinese opponent Bin Lu :

BIN LU

*Name:* Lü Bin (Chinese:, pinyin: Lǔ Bīn)

*Birthdate:* October 18, 1994

*Nationality:* Chinese

*Weight Class:* Light Flyweight

*Stance:* Southpaw

AMATEUR CAREER

- *2012 World Youth Championships:* Won the gold medal

- *2013 Asian Amateur Championships:* Won the bronze medal (light-flyweight)

- *2016 Summer Olympics:* Represented China, reaching the Round of 16

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

- *Debut:* 2017

- *Record:* 4 wins, 1 loss

- *Ranking:* Currently #3 in China

- *Notable Fight:* Challenged for the WBA light-flyweight title in 2018

#vspboxing #vsppro #VSPPromotions

November 19, 2024

HAS THE ZHU DIANXING SHIP SAILED ?

Oscar Collazo's devastating win in Saudi Arabia has thrown down the gauntlet to the Philippines Pedro Taduran by posing the question - just exactly which of these two fistic dynamos is THE GREATEST minimumweight fighter on the planet ??

Collazo destroyed the unbeaten Thammanoon Niyomtrong for the WBO World Title, and announced immediately after the event that it was his ambition to unify all the belts.

But he is late to the party.

Taduran has identical designs on all those belts !

Taduran was meant to fight China's top prospect Zhu DianXing on November 23rd, but the bout was postponed. Those plans now appear to be in tatters.

Expect some big news on Philippines world champ very soon.

* big thanks to Solid Sports Fans for the following story :

Pedro Taduran vs Oscar Collazo! Who will win!

It all comes down to styles and grit. Taduran, the current IBF minimumweight champion, is known for his relentless pressure, unrelenting volume punching, and an almost unbreakable chin. These traits make him a tough puzzle for any fighter, even someone as polished and technical as Collazo.

Collazo’s skill set is undeniable—his recent knockout win over Thammanoon Niyomtrong proves his sharpness and ring IQ. But against someone like Taduran, who can set a grueling pace and attack relentlessly, there’s a chance Collazo’s defensive and stamina vulnerabilities could be exposed.

Taduran’s resume includes battles with elite fighters like Rene Mark Cuarto and Daniel Valladares. While he hasn’t always come out on top, his rugged, fearless style often disrupts the rhythm of opponents. If Taduran can close the gap and turn the fight into a war of attrition, he might have the edge to pull off the upset.

November 17, 2024

TWO YEARS AGO ALREADY !!

Bit of nostalgia here, but this FORTUNES OF WAR was an extremely fun event (despite the many dramas) and well worth revisiting. And you will see that there are lot's of familiar names on this historic fight card.

The Vietnam 🇻🇳 team was spearheaded by Dinh Hong Quân, a guy that had been on a winning run and was defending an IBF Title, but he was having lots of trouble with his weight in the lead up. He even collapsed at one stage and had to be resuscitated at one point !

We had top young prospects Lê Hoàng Hiep and Phan Minh Quân, who fought out of their skins against international pro boxers with more than 70 wins between them !

Nguyễn Văn Hải is obviously a legend on the local scene but had been inactive, so he was a bit of a "query" inclusion - yet he produced a memorable performance that culminated in two dramatic knockdowns.

But even more amazing was the debut of another Vietnam kid Thai Hoang Huy - this guy had never even boxed (he was a muay thai student that loved the idea of being a boxer !) And he went in with an opponent that had 14 knockouts in 15 wins - BIG BALLS !!

Suffice to say, the Vietnam 🇻🇳 team had a great experience and a lot of fun at this show - it was held at the beautiful Grand Ho Tram Resort in the coastal area of Vung Tau.

The visiting international team?

Well - some crazy talent on that side of the fence !

Philippines 🇵🇭 - Charly Suarez, Mark John Yap, Arnel Baconaje, Jetro Pabustan and Jon Jon Estrada.

These guys share plaudits as multiple national and regional title holders, with the unbeaten Suarez currently on the precipice of a world title.

Indonesia 🇮🇩 - Paisal Panjaitan - a really top unbeaten prospect who is now #2 in his country.

Defry Palulu - an Indonesia #2 and WBC belt holder.

South Korea 🇰🇷 - Chan Ho Song - an unbeaten 12-0 guy with blazing hands and a World Youth champ.

Thailand 🇹🇭 - Anuson Thonglueang - a top youth prospect with only one loss in 14 bouts, and who currently sits at #2 rated Welterweight in Thailand.

Thanks for making this FORTUNES OF WAR a very memorable event boys, you put on a thrilling and entertaining show for everyone that was lucky enough to be there to see it.

VSP wish you continued luck and enjoyment in your boxing adventures ahead.

PS. the main event between Dinh Hong Quân 🇭🇰 and Arnel Baconaje 🇵🇭 was watched by more than 2 million people online !

https://youtu.be/wtvhUrz5EVg?si=wFMeYF-L41LBBD7p

November 15, 2024

DANA COOLWELL SET TO OPEN THE SHOW

Australia's Dana Coolwell takes on the unbeaten star Bruce "Shu Shu" Carrington on the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul undercard tomorrow.

5.30am Vietnam 🇻🇳

6.30am Philippines 🇵🇭

9.30am Australia 🇦🇺 (8.30 Queensland)

Check out the great write up by the Glasshouse Country and Maleney News :

DEADLY SET FOR LONE STAR STATUS

AFTER all the blood, sweat and tears in the most intense training camp Dana ‘Deadly’ Coolwell has ever experienced, there’s just one thing left to do.

And that’s defeat up and-coming American featherweight, Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington, on the undercard of the blockbuster Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul main event. Coolwell is expected to walk into the middle of the 80,000 seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas from 8:30am-11am on Saturday, November 16.

The eight-round battle will also be broadcast on Netflix, with estimated viewers upwards of 25 million.

Coming after his last fight – in front of a sellout audience of 500 at the Caloundra RSL earlier this year- Coolwell knows what’s at stake.

“Every young kid playing sports dreams of competing on the biggest stage and I’m absolutely thrilled that this moment has arrived for me,” he said.

Win against Shu Shu and Deadly will have the world at his feet and a world title within his grasp. Lose and it’s a tough road back but if adversity was going to stop him, it would surely have done so by now.

The 25-year-old has overcome significant challenges, including witnessing domestic violence, losing his father at a young age, and experimenting with drugs and alcohol by the age of 12. But at the age of 14 Dana stepped into the Hinterland Boxing Club, where he met trainer and owner Steve Pitt, who would become his long-time coach and friend.

“I’ve been with Steve for 11 years now, and I originally went there for a bit of fitness because I was playing rugby league for the Beerwah Bulldogs,” he said. “But as I started sparring and enjoyed the sport more, I eventually had my first amateur fight after the footy season and I’ve never looked back.”

Dana quickly realised boxing was his calling. “Once I started boxing, I knew I wanted to go professional and that I wanted to win a world title,” he said. “I thought I had enough of the amateurs, so I decided to turn elite when I was 20.”

This marked a turning point in his life, helping Dana stay on the right path. Now competing internationally, his dream of winning a world title by next year is becoming more and more a reality. “Steve has helped me every step of the way,” he said.

“We’ve got a really good relationship, and he helps me not just in the ring but outside of boxing too. We make a great team.” Dana and his coach, Steve, flew to Los Angeles a month before the fight for an intense three-week training camp at Churchill Matchroom Boxing Gym.

“It’s been a really hard one to train for but it is exactly what I needed— coming to America early, getting away from family, and just getting in that fight camp mindset, taking it to another level,” Dana said.

“We did a lot of high-level sparring, which is what I needed to get used to that American style because they fight slightly differently over there. “We have also been working on sharpening up our pad work, fitness sprints, and just staying on track in training and acclimatising to the environment and time difference.”

Dana added that sparring with American boxers similar to Carrington has been invaluable, as they bring a specific style he lacked experience in boxing against. “It’s the typical Mayweather style, like with the shoulder roll, a bit more side-on, and they use their jab more and are a bit more patient, but we have had many different looks at the camp as well,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say it has been harder sparring with American boxers, because there’s a lot of good Australian boxers too, but it’s just the style I need to work on and train against.” Dana said he feels stronger and more prepared than ever, comparing his readiness to his IBO Intercontinental title fi ght at the Caloundra RSL on March 24, where he won. “I’m feeling really good, obviously all the hard work has paid off ,” he said.

“My fitness is right up there, and now I just have to do the last part, which I don’t like, which is making weight. “Once we get to Texas, I’ll be in a bit of a rest and recovery period. “There won’t be much intensive training—just focusing on the weigh-in where I’ll meet Bruce for the first time.” Dana is confident that he will win his bout against Bruce Carrington.

“What sets me apart is the will to want it and everything I’ve put into this fight camp,” he said. “I’m not underestimating him like I believe he’s underestimating me.” Dana flew out of LA on Sunday night, arriving in Arlington, Texas, just days before his life-changing bout. While training was his priority, Dana also took time to enjoy some iconic sights in Los Angeles. “We’ve gone to Venice Beach, Hollywood Boulevard, and a few restaurants around LA,” he said.

The Beerwah local expressed gratitude for the support he’s received from fans back home in Australia. “Thank you to everyone. I’m just so grateful I can do something I love and that so many people support me—it’s pretty cool,” Dana said. Dana is also a father to one, his son Iluka who was born on August 1, 2022. His coach, Steve Pitt, said he had a different look in his eye since his son was born.

“He’s really focused like I haven’t seen him in a long time… the responsibility of becoming a father has really heightened his maturity,” he said. The preliminary card featuring Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool for the WBO Super Middleweight title, Lucas Bahdi vs. Armando Casamonica, and Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Dana Coolwell, will be broadcast live from 8:30am AEST November 16 on Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube, Netflix Sports YouTube and Tudum. kirra@gcnews.com.au

November 12, 2024

NETFLIX DEBUT FOR "DEADLY" DANA COOLWELL

Aussie indigenous star Dana Coolwell never officially fought on a VSP show, but we got him a gig in Dubai, and we had a couple of failed attempts to get him to Vietnam.

We also got him Aussie fights with a couple of good VSP boys Lorenz Ladrada and Fernando Tagpuno.

Now Dana has a big fight coming up in the States this Saturday against one of their rising stars - Bruce "Shu Shu" Carrington.

But this ain't no ordinary club show - Dana will be fighting in front of 80,000 people as one of the big Mike Tyson undercard bouts at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas Texas !!

And there's more.

If you are a boxer, you'd never expect to end up on Netflix ! Crazy but true - the streaming giant is sending this worldwide !!

Dana takes on the much hyped American Bruce Carrington - an unbeaten 13-0 top ten Featherweight.

The guy is real slick - but he ain't DEADLY !!

Go Dana !!

ABC News ran a great story a little while back on the indigenous prodigy which we have published before.

It's a great read with some nice insights, so here it is again if you missed it:

THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS and that is true for boxer Dana Coolwell !

The 25-year-old from the Queensland town of Beerwah, roughly an hour's drive north of Brisbane, could have the eyes of over 550 million households worldwide tuning into his fight when he features on Netflix's maiden livestream boxing event in November.

ABC Sport can reveal the Mununjali man, who is the 16th-ranked featherweight in world boxing, will fight undefeated American Bruce Carrington on the undercard of Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

The fight will take place at the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, with 80,000 spectators expected to pack the Arlington stadium on November 16, AEDT.

"It's life-changing," a humble, softly-spoken Coolwell said.

"It'll be one of the biggest events a fighter from Australia has fought on and I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I just really want to showcase my skills to the world of boxing and put my name in that mix of the world class boxers."

The massive bout for Coolwell, nicknamed Deadly, is in stark contrast to his last fight in March.

He improved his record to 13-2 with a win in front of a sold-out crowd of 500 people at the Caloundra RSL.

It is a moment that Coolwell believes he will thrive in and make the world take notice of his potential.

"I'm just making the walk out to the stage into the ring, and just imagining the crowd. But I think I'll rise to the occasion and feed off the crowd, and it'll bring out the best of me.

"These are the type of fight cards people dream of being on and I'm just really grateful that I get to be a part of it, part of history and fight in front of that many fight fans."

The fight card will be streamed by Netflix and will be available their millions of subscribers.

Sports commentator Renee Gartner said the unique opportunity for Coolwell to fight with potentially hundreds of millions of people watching can become a major moment for the young fighter.

"This is the biggest exposure Dana's possibly gonna be able to get," she said.

"People are gonna be seeing him for the first time on an international stage and beamed into households, 550 million households are worldwide, is going to put his name on everyone's lips.

"This whole undercard is absolutely stacked … We have some of the best female fighters, male fighters, everyone who's a boxing enthusiast is watching it."

"What's the topic of conversation at the moment? It's all about the cost of living and how hard it is for all of us to sort of dip in the pocket.

"People in Australia use sport as a way to sort of escape from the realities of what we're sort of doing on day-to-day life."

Coolwell believes in the American dream

The Australian will head to the United States in the coming weeks, landing in California where he will start his training camp in Santa Monica.

New York-born Carrington, who is undefeated through 13 professional fights, has been on Coolwell's radar for a while according to his coach Stephen Pitt.

"We've wanted the Bruce Carrington fight for a while," he said.

"He's a very well respected and very well liked American boxer … They think he's gonna be next world champion."

While praising the American challenger, Pitt said he believes Coolwell is in equal class to some of the best fighters in the world.

Pitt, who trains Coolwell out of the Hinterland Boxing Club, said he believes his fighter has always had the makings of being Australia's next world champion.

"I've known Dana's a star since he walked in my gym 12 years ago," he said.

"The entire world's going to see what I've known for a long time.

"You know we're not the underdog, we're the underestimated.

"Texans love Australians, Dana's a very likeable young man, he performs well, he speaks well, he holds himself well and we believe that the Americans will adore him."

If he defeats Carrington in his own backyard then he'll take a giant leap towards reeling in his world title opportunity.

November 9, 2024

AND THIS IS WHAT BOXING SHOULD BE !!

Two very exciting prospects met centre ring in Sydney last night- both intent on pushing their world class credentials, and they didn't disappoint. They turned on a cracking main event in front of a sold out and noisy crowd at The Grand Vaudeville !

Emmanuel Shemeza 3-0 from Kenya 🇰🇪 and Jamie Chang 2-0 of Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 were both sparkling amateurs before recently turning pro.

Shemeza was the boxer who was unluckily eliminated in the Olympic trials by an opponent who ultimately won the bronze medal.

Jamie Chang has battled limited opportunities to become a Pacific Games champion.

And despite the relative inexperience of both boxers at the pro level, their qualities and upside shone like beacons.

The Kenyan was a hot favourite, but Chang's southpaw stance and staunch defense had the champion troubled. And this proved to make it an extremely even contest.

Shemeza was the more fluid and active with his hands, but Jamie Chang threw thoughtful counters with purpose, perhaps even hurting his rival in the 5th round.

Most rounds were too hard to split, but Emmanuel Shemeza looked the more polished, and he finished it with a definitive final round.

Emmanuel Shemeza won by majority decision (MD) against Jamie Chang in this highly anticipated bout!

The judges' scores reflected a closely contested fight, with one judge scoring it 57-57 (a draw), while the other two judges scored in favor of Shemeza, 59-55.

Perhaps a little "home cooking" by the judges - VSP had it 58-56 to the Aussie based Kenyan - but no one would argue that Shemeza deserved the victory.

This was a thrilling matchup between two genuine world-class prospects, and full credit to their respective camps for testing the deep waters.

Congratulations to Paul Nasari and the team at Neutral Corner for making great fights like these, and we hope to see these boys make their mark on the Asian scene in 2025.

#vspboxing #vsppro #neutralcornerpromotions #VSPPromotions #RoyalRumble

November 7, 2024

CHANG AND SHEMEZA TOMORROW NIGHT

The boys are weighed in and ready for an epic battle in Sydney tomorrow night when Pacific Games gold medalist Jamie Chang takes on undefeated Kenyan boxer Emmanuel Shemeza in a thrilling 6-round super flyweight contest at the Grand Vaudeville function centre.

Shemeza hails from the much vaunted Akkawy Gym, and the tall unbeaten 3-0 prospect is already being hailed as a future world prospect.

But he won't have it all his own way !

Jamie Chang shapes as one of Papua New Guinea's top boxing prospects.

He makes his international professional debut courtesy of VSP Promotions. who are working overtime to make great fights for boxers in the Asian region while the local Vietnam scene remains a shambles.

Jamie Chang's appearance comes on the heels of his impressive knockout victory at Port Moresby's Sir John Guise stadium, where he overcame a wrist injury in training to claim his an emphatic victory.

Chang's coach, Ephraim Montoru, is confident in his fighter's abilities, stating

"Jamie is a very good all-round boxer - he does everything right."

However, Montoru also acknowledges that there's still room for improvement, saying

"We are definitely still a work in progress.

The best is yet to come, and exciting times are ahead!"

*The Fight Details:*

- *Date:* November 8th, 2024

- *Location:* Grand Vaudeville function centre, Sydney

- *Opponent:* Emmanuel Shemeza (Kenya)

- *Weight Class:* Super Flyweight

- *Rounds:* 6

*Chang's Background:*

- Pacific Games gold medalist

- 2 wins from 2 professional bouts this year

Will Chang's skills be enough to take down the unbeaten Shemeza?

Tune in to Paul Nasari's Neutral Corner Boxing show "Royal Rumble" to find out!

VSP PROMOTIONS supporting Asia’s best !

November 3, 2024

PNG TEAM ARE SET TO FLY OUT TOMORROW

Papua New Guinea's Junior Kauko Raka and Jamie Chang will arrive in Australia by midday tomorrow in advance of Friday night's "Royal Rumble" in Sydney.

The PNG pairing will be on hand to answer questions at tomorrow night's press conference, and will be accompanied by trainer Ephraim Montoru and assistant Peter Morrison.

VSP Promotions have worked with Paul Nasari to ensure that Australia gets to see the best of Papua New Guinea's current and emerging talent, and Raka and Chang will take on two hot and unbeaten prospects.

It is a credit to the PNG boxers for traveling to the lion's den to compete, and VSP can report that their opponents Jayden Buan and Emmanuel Shemeza had been forced to scour foreign shores in search of competition.

These are two genuine excitement machines that have been continually ducked at the local level, and are keen to build on their already excellent resumes with meaningful bouts.

Royal Rumble this Friday night presented by Neutral Corner Fight Promotions. live from the Grand Vaudeville, Condell Park Sydney 🥊🔥

Also catch all the action live on http://www.livecombatsports.com.au/live-ppv

#NeutralCornerPromotions #RoyalRumble #vspboxing #VSPPromotions #vsppro

October 31, 2024

VSP SENDS PNG TRAIL BLAZERS "DOWN UNDER"

The recent Pacific games gold medalist boxer Jamie Chang is set to attend his first professional international bout in Australia next week.

The top PNG prospect knocked out his opponent in his recent bout at Port Moresby' Sir John Guise stadium, overcoming a wrist injury that had hampered preparations.

Chang already has scored 2 wins from 2 professional bouts this year, but unfortunately, the successes were not recorded in BoxRec.This is not uncommon for PNG events.

Jamie Chang is set perform in Sydney on November 8th 2024, and will be joined Papua New Guinea's lightweight champion - Junior Kauko Raka.

The invitations to Australia were made possible by VSP Promotions, and both boxers will appear on Paul Nasari's Neutral Corner Boxing show "Royal Rumble" to be held at the Grand Vaudeville function centre.

Chang will be facing off against outstanding and unbeaten Kenyan Emmanuel Shemeza of the famed Akkawy Gym in a bantamweight contest over 6 rounds.

Chang's coach Ephraim Montoru (Maikuna Boxing Club) said his fighter is doing very well in his preparation for the upcoming event.

"Jamie is a very good all round boxer - he does everything right. But obviously these are early days, and we are definitely still a work in in progress, and as a team concede there is plenty of room for improvement.

The best is yet to come and exciting times are ahead !

We are taking on a really good fighter named Emmanuel Shemeza for our first test on foreign soil - and its a huge task, but we believe we have a very good chance of winning this fight."

October 26, 2024

VAN HAI SET TO BE A BIG "HIT" IN SOUTH KOREA

Nguyễn Văn Hải, one of Vietnam's best known boxers, returns to the ring on December 15 in an 8-round showdown in South Korea.

And despite two losses in 2024, Hải has shown menacing form, foreshadowing a major victory at the Jeju Island event.

Following consecutive WBO and WBC title bid setbacks against undefeated, world-rated opponents, the man dubbed the "Hanoi Hitman" is poised for a big bounce back win.

His upcoming challenge comes against a yet-to-be-named South Korean opponent, a former national titleholder that is looking for a big scalp to re establish his rankings.

Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated matchup set for Jeju Island South Korea on December 15th.

Details coming soon!

October 24, 2024

AUSTRALIA versus PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Jayden "the Bullet" Buan was once famously quoted as claiming he has better hand speed than Ryan Garcia - and that he also possesses the silky skills that put that guy in the shade.

And Junior "the Prodigy" Raka is simply Old Skool - hard hands, hard head, and hard to beat !!

Great fight coming up in Sydney on November 8th at Paul Nasari's ROYAL RUMBLE !!!

October 15, 2024

JBC SUSPENDS JOHN RIEL CASIMERO

OUCH !!!!!!!

Due to failing to make weight, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has suspended John Riel Casimero for one year. This suspension follows Casimero’s inability to meet the weight requirements for his non-title fight against Saul Sanchez, scheduled for October 13, 2024, in Yokohama, Japan.

Casimero’s past issues with weight management have now led to serious consequences that could affect his future plans, including a highly anticipated potential matchup against Naoya Inoue.

October 11, 2024

THAT'S DEADLY !! DANA COOLWELL

Aussie star Dana Coolwell never officially fought on a VSP show, but we got him a gig in Dubai, and had a couple of failed attempts to get him to Vietnam. We also got him Aussie fights with a couple of good VSP boys Lorenz Ladrada and Fernando Tagpuno.

Now Dana has a big fight coming up in the States against one of their rising stars :

Some big stories in Aussie boxing coming up, and now you can add this one to the impressive list :

DEADLY DANA COOLWELL will be fighting in front of 80,000 people next month on the Mike Tyson undercard at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas Texas !!

Dana takes on much hyped American Bruce Carrington - an unbeaten 13-0 top ten Featherweight.

The guy is real slick - but he ain't DEADLY !!

Go Dana !!

ABC News ran a great story on this indigenous prodigy :

They say everything is bigger in Texas and that is true for boxer Dana Coolwell.