Ma Baoguo’s opponent ‘scared’ before KO’ing tai chi master in 30 seconds – and had to pay to fight
- Wang Qingmin tells local media he used Chinese kung fu style to knock out 69-year-old tai chi master in first interview since viral fight
- Amateur boxer has received no prize money and paid US$92 to fight Ma, who reportedly earned US$28,000 for 30-second bout
Wang Qingmin, the amateur boxer who knocked out tai chi master Ma Baoguo this month, has said he was “scared” before the fight in his first interview since the bout went viral.
The 49-year-old boxer put the 69-year-old traditional martial artist on the floor twice before delivering the knockout blow, all inside 30 seconds of the fight in Zibo, Shandong province, nine days ago.
Speaking to local media in an interview that has been widely reported, Wang said he was “very uneasy” before the fight because of Ma’s reputation, which he had seen in videos on the internet.
“Ma Baoguo is very powerful. I am also very worried about myself,” he said, “but I think as an athlete and a traditional martial arts enthusiast, since signing up I don’t have a choice but to fight.”
Wang confirmed he had to pay to enter the fight. His entry fee was 660 yuan (US$92.5) and he has not received any prize money for his win. He stepped in at late notice after Ma's original opponent, reported to be a 70-year-old kung fu master, pulled out.
Reports elsewhere online in China suggested Ma had been paid 200,000 yuan (US$28,000) for the loss, with organisers charging users 5 yuan (US$0.70) to live-stream the fight.
Ref asked tai chi master to show mercy before embarrassing KO
Wang spoke of his surprise at winning and his shock at the knockout, when he worried for Ma. He also suggested his 69-year-old opponent may have felt the effects of the 800-kilometre drive from Shanghai to Zibo.
Debate has raged over the claims of traditional martial arts and their modern counterparts in China after the story went viral inside the country and overseas.
However, Wang said he beat Ma with a traditional Chinese kung fu style. He was registered as an MMA fighter but used the Chinese style of Xing Yi Quan, rather than Western martial arts as media reported.
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