Rex Tso agrees to one-year contract extension with Top Rank
Hong Kong’s ‘Wonder Kid’ to stay with the premier boxing organisation until at least 2018, boosting his hopes of earning a world title shot as the WBO No 1 ranked contender
Hong Kong’s “Wonder Kid” Rex Tso Sing-yu has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Top Rank, one of the sport’s premier boxing promoters.
Tso’s coach and manager, Jay Lau Chi-yuen, announced on Tuesday that the 29-year-old unbeaten southpaw will stay with the famous organisation, founded by Bob Arum in the 1960s, for at least another 12 months, giving the Hong Kong star a boost in his pursuit of gaining a shot at the world super flyweight title this year.
“This is definitely good news for Rex as he is now the No 1 ranked WBO contender. He earned a contract extension because of his hard work. It’s taken Rex five years to become the No 1 ranked fighter,” said Lau.
Being a Top Rank fighter has its privileges. Fight contracts – anything from guaranteed purse, accommodation and travelling expenses – are easier to negotiate since Arum’s organisation has a reputation second to none in the fight game.
Top Rank’s 50-plus stable of elite fighters also includes Philippines icon Manny Pacquiao and China’s world flyweight champion Zou Shiming.
Tso (20-0-0) will return to the ring on March 11 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre and fight for the first time since beating previously unbeaten Japanese Ryuto Maekawa by unanimous decision at the same venue in October.
The Hong Kong star is also promoted by DEF Promotions, who announced that Tso’s next fight will be held at the Wan Chai venue, which this time will be able to accommodate 8,000 spectators – 3,000 more than Tso’s last fight against Maekawa.
An announcement on Tso’s next opponent is expected to be made on January 22 at Tso’s gym in Sheung Wan.
Tso is hoping to get a shot at the WBO super flyweight title, which is currently held by Japan’s Naoya Inoue, but the Japanese fighter, nicknamed “Monster” might vacate his belt and move up to the bantamweight division.
Since Tso is the No 1 contender, he would fight No 2 ranked contender Mexico’s Juan Hernandez for the title should Inoue vacate his belt.
