The 23-year-old Kwanchai displayed youth and an aggressive fighting style. With 17 professional bouts, he had secured 6 victories, all by knockout. Entering the ring against Van Thao, the Thai boxer was considered an underdog in terms of experience. Consequently, he resorted to provocative tactics, frequently circling the ring, dancing, and occasionally smiling, aiming to distract the home boxer.

The referee confirmed the knockout victory for boxer Tran Van Thao against Kwanchai Pliankhunthod in the 56 kg category at the Ho Tram Legendary event on the evening of 15/11. *Photo: Phuong Quyen*

Despite this, Van Thao remained focused, diligently searching for openings to attack and defending against Kwanchai's quick strikes. In the 4th round, the Vietnamese boxer unleashed a series of body shots, targeting the liver area, which sent Kwanchai to the canvas for the first time. The Thai boxer managed to rise at the count of 10, ready to continue.

However, he was immediately met with a continuous barrage of punches from Van Thao. Kwanchai fell to the canvas once more and was unable to continue the fight, resulting in a knockout victory for Van Thao.

After the match, Van Thao stated, "In the first two rounds, I was a bit hasty. But by the third round, even when my opponent tried psychological provocation, I didn't fall into the trap. I maintained my composure and responded by knocking him out."

Born on 23/4/1992, Van Thao stands 1,68 m tall and is nicknamed "The Trigger" for his rapid punching ability. He was an eight-time Vietnamese national champion before transitioning to professional boxing. With 20 professional bouts, Van Thao has secured 18 victories, 10 of which were by knockout. This renowned Vietnamese boxer also boasts an extensive collection of achievements, including the WBC Asia championship (2017), the IBA world title (2022), and the WBO Global title (2024).

With the victory over Kwanchai, Van Thao's professional win tally now stands at 19, including 11 knockouts. He stated that this recent win provides him with significant motivation to continue his boxing career and accumulate ranking points.

The Ho Tram Legendary event, held on the evening of 15/11 at The Grand Ho Tram in Ho Tram commune, featured 14 boxers from countries with strong boxing backgrounds, including South Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Australia.

Duc Dong