TSO, KONO MAKE WEIGHTS IN CLASH OF CHAMPIONS 3 IN HONG KONG

Challenger Kohei Kono (extreme left) and defending WBO International super flyweight champion Rex Tso (2nd from right) with his trainer Jake Verano (extreme right). Photo by BRICO SANTIG

HONG KONG – Defending WBO International super flyweight champion Rex “The Wonder Kid” Tso and his Japanese challenger Kohei “Tough Boy” Kono both made their weights today (Oct. 6) at the official weigh-in held at the Olympian City here.
Both of them tipped the scales at identical 115 lbs.
“This will really be a big test for Tso. Our next step or his next opponent will really depend on his performance tomorrow,” said promoter Jay Lau of the DEF Promotions.
The 30-year old Tso, who is Hong Kong’s super star athlete, is still undefeated with 21 straight wins and 13 knockouts while the 36-year old Kono (33-10-1, 14 knockouts) is a former two-time WBA world super flyweight champion.
“If Tso knocks out Kono tomorrow then our next target will be the world title,” said Lau.
Tso’s next probable opponent will be the reigning WBO world super flyweight champion Naoya ‘Monster” Inoue (14-0, 12 KOs) also of Japan.
Inoue has already successfully defended his crown six times including a 6th round technical knockout win against Kono last year.
Tso’s Filipino trainer Jake Verano is confident that his ward is now in top condition and very much ready to fight.
“He’s more prepared now compared from his last fight,” said Verano.
Tso, who also suffered injuries from training in his previous fight, stopped another Japanese challenger Hirofumi Mukai by an 8th round knockout last March 11 to retain his WBO International, WBO Asia Pacific and WBC Asian Boxing Council super flyweight titles.
Kono, on the other hand, is fresh from winning a 5th round TKO against Yuranan Dokrathok in Japan last July.
In tomorrow’s co-main event, unbeaten Japane female fighter Ayumi Goto (7-0) submitted 122 lbs. while Indian boxer Kirti, also undefeated with a 3-0, 2 KOs card tipped only 120 lbs.
They are fighting for the vacant WBO Female Asia Pacific super bantamweight crown for eight rounds.
The other title fight is between Takuya Watanabe (32-7-1, 17 KOs) and Leshan Li (13-2-1, 8KOs) for the vacant WBO Oriental super featherweight title for 10 rounds. Both them were scaled at 130 lbs.
The CC3 card is co-promoted by Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions.
Also present in yesterday’s weigh-in were the representatives of the different sponsors – TFI Digital Media Limited CEO and founder Wilson Yuen, Tai Hing Catering Group Chairman Chan Wing On, Mass Mutual Asia Ltd. Chief marketing officer Jeanne Sau, Hong Kong Broadband Network marketing communications’ Kim Hue, Nike Hong Kong sports marketing manager Paul Lai, Olympian City senior manager for Retail Marketing and Promotions Joanne Leung, Huawei HK CBD marketing director Wai Loi and China Mobile Games and Entertainment financial controller Pius Tsang.
The first fight tomorrow starts at 5 p.m. at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Ayumi Goto of Japan (right) vs. Kirti of India for the vacant WBO Female Asia Pacific super bantamweight title. (Photo by BRICO SANTIG)

Leshan Li of China (left) vs. Takuya Watanabe of Japan for the vacant WBO Oriental super featherweight title. (Photo by BRICO SANTIG)

Indonesian Nadya Nakhoir (right) vs. Hong Kong’s Sandy Lam (Photo by LDR)

Pitted in the undercard are:
10 rds. – super bantamweight Ayumi Goto (7-0) vs. Kirti (3-0)
8 rds. – light flyweight Raymond Poon Kaiching (3-1-0) vs. Frengky Rohi (5-0-1)
6 rds. – welterweight Nick Frese (6-0) vs. Prabhjot Singh (7-1-1)
6 rds. – middleweight Tom Taw (3-1-0) vs. Osidsorn Kesornsombat (9-3-0)
4 rds. – super lightweight Nibesh Ghale (0-1-0) vs. Prell Tupas (10-32-5)
4 rds. – light flyweight Sandy Lam (1-1-0) vs. Nadya Nakhoir (0-2-0)