Thao knocks out Laurio to be IBA champion
VGP — Tran Van Thao has become the first Vietnamese male boxing champion of the world after securing the International Boxing Association (IBA) belt in Ho Chi Minh City.
Tran Van Thao of Viet Nam (right) lands a punch on Andrew Laurio of the Philippines during their IBA bantamweight category match. Thao wins by a KO and becomes the first world male champion of Viet Nam.
Thao, former World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia winner, knocked out Andrew Laurio of the Philippines just two minutes into the three-minute 12-round match of the bantam-weight (52kg) category on September 30.
"I can't believe that the match ended so quickly," Thao told VGP.
"I have prepared to compete in 12 rounds because it is a world belt match."
Prior to the match Thao, 30, competed in 15 matches winning 14 with nine knockouts and just one loss. Laurio is younger at 23. He took part in 16 matches, recording 12 wins (nine KOs), three losses (all KOs) and one draw.
Both two sides started strongly with a view to set their domination from the beginning.
But it was Thao who received amazing local support taking the stage. He landed series of punches on his young rival before a heavy right hand's hook floored the Filipino.
Laurio tried to stand up and continue the match but the main referee decided that he could not play any second more, giving the victory to Thao.
Thao burst into tears. He kneed down to thank his coach and thousands of supporters at the Trigger Boxing Gym.
"My coach Trinh Su Phu was the first one I thought about after winning. He has been going along with me from my first day when I was zero in boxing community until now.
"Then, my belt is for my wife and son who are living far from me for more than two years as I am busy preparing for this match,
"I am working really hard and deserved to take the title. I make it, finally," he said.
It was Thao's second pro boxing win this year. In February he defeated Phayom Boonruean of Thailand in his return to the international competition after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thao's IBA title was a milestone for Viet Nam's boxing. He is the second Vietnamese world champion but the first male of the country. The first one was Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi who was World Boxing Organisation (WBO) winner in 2021.
Earlier, Thao was also the first athlete to take WBC Asia belt in 2017. Locally, he dominated the national championship from 2009 to 2016./.
