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Rex Tso (right) heads for a unanimous decision over Filipino Michael Enriquez in a super flyweight bout in Macau in March. Photos: Reuters

Setback in 'Wonder Kid' Rex Tso's countdown to world title shot

He may have to wait until November after Kohei Kono pulled out of their WBA super flyweight crown

Rex Tso

Rex Tso Sing-yu's date with destiny will have to wait, after the world title ambitions of the "Wonder Kid" were put on hold.

Hong Kong's Tso was supposed to challenge World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight champion Kohei Kono in July but the 115-pound title-holder was ordered to fight fellow Japanese No 2-ranked Koki Kameda (33-1-0, 18 KOs) in a mandatory world bout this summer.

It means Tso will have to wait at least another four months before possibly challenging the winner of the Kono-Kameda bout, in November.

Tso, who signed with promoters Top Rank seven months ago, is disappointed he has been left out in the cold but remains confident he will earn a world title shot by the end of the year.

These things are sometimes unavoidable. I am a bit disappointed that I won't fight for the title in July. However, it won't stop me from training hard. I will get my chance to become world champion one day
Rex Tso

"These things are sometimes unavoidable. I am a bit disappointed that I won't fight for the title in July. However, it won't stop me from training hard. I will get my chance to become world champion one day," said the 27-year-old Tso (16-0-0, 9 KOs).

"My training has been going really well. I have a new strength and conditioning trainer [Ross Eathorne] and I am improving in all areas of my boxing."

Tso's manager and head trainer, Jay Lau Chi-yuen, said Tso will fight on the undercard in Macau on July 18 although an opponent has yet to be determined. China's Ik Yang (Yang Lianhui) should headline the event in a junior welterweight world title matchup against Argentina's Cesar Rene Cuenca. China's two-time Olympic gold medallist, Zou Shiming, will not return to Macau this time.
Hong Kong's Rex Tso celebrates his 10-round WBA international super flyweight title fight victory against Filipino Michael Enriquez.

"Rex will get his world title shot one day and we are leaving that in the hands of Top Rank. At the moment, Rex is still training hard," said Lau.

Tso's delay to fight for a world title might be a blessing in disguise as he gets more time to condition himself for his big day, possibly in November in Macau.

"Because we are not fighting for a world title in July, we have decided not to hold a training camp in Las Vegas. All our training will be done in Hong Kong. Our training camp starts next week," added Lau.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Setback in Tso's countdown to world title shot
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