Le Huu Toan is under a strict training programme in preparation for his WBA Asia title defence on November 30 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo courtesy of Le Huu Toan) The unbeatenVietnamese boxer beat Thailand's Kitidech Hirunsuk after 12 rounds totake the vacant 48kg category belt at Saigon Sports Club on March 20.
He thenadvanced into the world's top 10 boxers in the WBA on April 1.
Toan returned to thesame venue on October 1, and he only needed three rounds to better Indonesianveteran Silem Serang at the 'LEAD: The Beginning' event.
In 2020, Toan fought inManila in his third professional fight in February, and he stoppedhost Benjie Bartolome in two rounds.
The 29-year-old iscurrently ranked ninth in the world and is unbeaten in five fights, withthree knockouts.
"I myself find thiswill be a difficult task. Amparo is a tough and professional boxer who canwithstand high pressure," Toan told Vietnam News.
"But in this bout,I believe in making it a spectacular match to the audience at the event, aswell as my supporters at home."
As well as training hardfor his title defence, he manages a school construction project online in DienBien province.
"Physically, Ifollow a strict training and nutritional plan daily. My coaching board and Ifocus on training and mapping out suitable tactics. Everything is to makesure I am at my best for the match.
"I am confident andwill bring home another victory," he said.
Toan said he is muchbetter than eight months ago when he won the title.
"I am moreexperienced with lessons collected from local and international matches. Mystyle is also more flexible and diverse. As a result, my fitness isbetter, and I can keep up the pressure until the end of the 12th round."
Toan in May held a tourby bike from HCM City to Hanoi in 14 days to call for donations tobuild a school in the mountainous Yen Village, Muong Toong Commune, MuongNhe District.
He has collected morethan 400 million VND (16,000 USD), and the school is on the way to beingcompleted. The project covers two classrooms, a kitchen, a toilet, aplaying ground with a fence and a 60m road leading to the school campus.
Currently, he isplanning another project for children in the northern province of Ha Giang,which is expected in the coming years.
For his opponent, theWBA Asia minimumweight championship will be the biggest fight in the Boholanoboxer Amparo's career.
The 25-year-old, who has a record of 11 wins (two KOs), onedraw and three losses (2KOs), is one of the most active Filipino boxers. Thiswill be his fight in less than four months and his sixth this year.
He went to South Africa on October 23, beating the previouslyunbeaten boxer Mthokozisi Ngxaka by unanimous decision. Before that, he alsodefeated the tough Ariston Aton on September 9 in Dimiao, Bohol.
Amparo, a native of Guindulman town, is currently on a five-fightwinning streak. His last setback was on September 27, 2021, when he lost tofellow countryman Regie Suganob via unanimous decision.
Both Amparo and Suganob are now training under the PMI BoholBoxing Stable in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Amparo, the Filipino No 1, is also the reigning WBF-Asia Pacificminimumweight champion.
According to BoxRec, Amparo is placed No 21, 14 steps higher Toan,among 245 athletes in this weight category.
He is also taller at 1.64m, while Toan is 1m58.
The Toan vs Amparo fight is part of the triple championship of theThai Highland-Spaceplus Boxing Promotions.
Two other championship matches are between Muhammad Shoaibof Pakistan and Hendrik Barongsay from Indonesia. They will vie forthe Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) lightweight (61kg) championship.
John Michael Zulueta of the Philippines will face Suriya Kraimaneeof the hosts for the ABF light flyweight (49kg) belt.
Vo Hong Dat is matched up with experienced Vachayan Khamon of thehosts in the super lightweight (63.5kg) category.
Dat, 24, has recorded three wins from three in his procareer, all by KO.
He was also an outstanding boxer in his amateur career, winningsilver at the National Boxing Championship in 2021.
Khamon, 45, has taken part in 48 matches. His record is 12 wins(4KOs); one draw, and 35 losses (14 KOs)./.
VNA
