Chan wins prize belt

IT was a night to remember for diminutive Chan Yat-sing at the 'King of the Ring' evening at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium when he became the first boxer in 20 years to retain the flyweight championship belt for three successive years.

The 26-year-old construction site foreman defeated Lee Kin-dick of Simon Yen Boxing by an unanimous decision to win the 112-pound category.

Chan went on to make history as the first Hong Kong boxer to win two titles on the same card when his Muay Thai boxing opponent, Ma Mo-lun was forced to retire during the second round after he suffered a nasty cut just below the right eyebrow.

Ma, however, was angry with the decision and stayed in the ring for two minutes before he was finally convinced to leave by his coach.

'He came at me with a head butt and they [the officials] ruled that he had won by a technical knockout,' said a fuming Ma. 'I am a professional boxer. It hurts my reputation to have a technical knockout against me.' Chan, who was making his debut in Muay Thai boxing, said he would accept a challenge from Ma.

'I know it's a bit harsh on him but his cut is pretty bad and there is no way he can continue,' the soft-spoken Chan said.