-
Advertisement
Rex Tso
SportHong Kong

Ain’t gonna be no rematch: Kohei Kono moves up to bantamweight, dashing hopes of fighting Hong Kong’s Rex Tso again

The 38-year-old ‘Tough Boy’ will fight in the 118 pound division and has Australian Jason Moloney in his sights as he looks to prolong his career

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Rex Tso and Kohei Kono fought in last October’s sold-out Clash of Champions 3. Photo: Edward Wong
Unus Alladin

Six months after losing to Hong Kong’s Rex Tso Sing-yu in somewhat controversial circumstances, Japanese veteran Kohei Kono has decided he had waited long enough.

A much-anticipated rematch between two sluggers who rocked the house in Clash of Champions 3 last October appears slim now after Kono decided to move up a division to bantamweight.

Fans had been eager for a rematch after Tso extended his winning streak as a super flyweight (115 pounds) to 22 bouts despite the fight being stopped in the seventh round after a ringside doctor examined Tso’s almost completely shut left eye.

Advertisement
Rex Tso bows to Kohei Kono after the dramatic conclusion to their super flyweight fight. Photo: Edward Wong
Rex Tso bows to Kohei Kono after the dramatic conclusion to their super flyweight fight. Photo: Edward Wong

Tso suffered a sickening clash of heads in the second round of the scheduled 12-round contest but still won the bout on points, improving his record to 20-0-0, 13 KOs, while Kono’s record dropped to 33-11-1, 14 KOs.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x