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https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1556708/hong-kongs-rex-tso-fifth-round-tko-over-indonesias-john-bajawa Hong Kong
Hong Kong's 'Wonder Kid' Rex Tso pounds Indonesia's John Bajawa for 14th win
Hong Kong fighter returns from injury with a fifth-round TKO, while China's Zou Shiming battles hard for his first professional title
Rex Tso Sing-yu has John Bajawa in the corner during their bout at the CotaiArena. Photo: Unus Alladin
Hong Kong's unbeaten Rex Tso Sing-yu returned to the ring as though he was never injured, pounding his latest victim into submission at last night's Champions of Gold.
Tso had been nursing severely bruised hands and an injured nose only four weeks ago and Indonesia's John Bajawa thought he could take out the "Wonder Kid".
But it was clear who was the better fighter after the referee stopped the bout 48 seconds into the fifth of the six-round bantamweight contest at the CotaiArena.
And there was more celebration for Chinese boxers after China's Zou Shiming won his first professional title, outpointing Colombia's Luis de la Rosa to lift the WBO international flyweight title after 10 pulsating rounds.
Photo: Unus Alladin
Tso then dropped to his knees in celebration as the crowd of about 8,000 roared their approval. "I dropped to my knees after my victory because I was so excited. This compensated for my last fight when I was injured," said a jubilant Tso.
"Spectators could see that my opponent fought very defensively, but I hit him with some pretty good body shots. In my last three weeks of training, I focused on power and I think my training paid off. After two rounds, I knew I had him. That means I could become more aggressive and more attack-minded," he said.
Rex Tso won the bantamweight contest at its fifth round. Photo: Unus Alladin
Tso, who recently turned 27, had Bajawa on the defensive from the onset, throwing leather late in the fifth round with an onslaught that proved too much.
Two-time Olympic champion Zou was exhausted, but happy after outlasting his Colombian opponent by unanimous decision in a fight that went the distance. Zou ended the gruelling contest with a flurry of punches as the crowd stood on its feet.
After two rounds, I knew I had him. That means I could become more aggressive and more attack-minded
"It's every fighter's dream to win a world title. I will be ready for a world title fight if it comes to me. This is a great night for me.
"It was important for me to put on a show with my power punches and counter punching," said the 33-year-old, now 5-0, 1 KO. Tso's victory came hot on the heels of another fighter who was making a comeback of sorts.
Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloria scored his second straight win since losing his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight titles to Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau last year.
US-Filipino flyweight great Viloria scored a fifth-round knockout victory against Mexico's Jose Alfredo Zuniga.
Rex Tso dropped to his knees after the victory. Photo: Unus Alladin
And it got better as Mexico's Gilberto Ramirez also won by first-round KO against Junior Talipeau, of Australia, to retain his NABO/NABF super middleweight title.
The night got off to a furious start with Russia's Egor Mekhontsev registering a fourth-round TKO against the Philippines' Mike Merafuentes.
The 29-year-old Russian, the 2012 London Games gold medallist, continued his impressive pro career, winning his fourth straight light heavyweight fight.