Boxer Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi wins first-ever WBO world belt for Vietnam

Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi won the first-ever World Boxing Organisation belt for Vietnam after defeating her Japanese opponent Etsuko Tada in a fight on October 23.

Boxer Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi wins first-ever WBO world belt for Vietnam (Photo: WBO)
Boxer Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi wins first-ever WBO world belt for Vietnam (Photo: WBO)

Nhi took the title after 10 rounds, each lasting 2 minutes, in the women's mini-flyweight title fight, held at Wadong Ansan Stadium in Ansan city, the Republic of Korea.

Nhi started the fight slowly and carefully as her Japanese rival has remarkable experience and record with 26 bouts and 20 wins. However, Nhi gradually showed her skills and technique with her moves and powerful hooks.

In the eighth round, Tada made Nhi’s eye bleed after a hook. Despite limited vision, Nhi won the match with a score of 96-94.

This is not only the first WBO World belt for Vietnamese boxing but also the first professional title for a boxer from Vietnam. The WBO is an organisation which conducts professional boxing bouts.

“It is an indescribable happiness for me to bring home such a meaningful victory, Nhi said, adding that she was proud to make her world champion dream come true.

"I brought Vietnam's spirit and willingness into this fight. This victory is for Vietnamese sports,” she stressed.

Born in 1996 in An Giang province, Nhi started practicing boxing when she was 13. She began her professional career in the ring in 2018. Nhi has fought four matches and won them all. In her most recent match in early 2020, she defeated Kanyarat Yoohanngoh of Thailand in 10 rounds to take the WBO Asia Pacific Minimum-weight crown.