Hong Kong boxer Poon hails ‘new start’ after winning back WBC continental belt

Hong Kong boxer Raymond Poon Kai-ching said he was ready to get his career back on track after reclaiming the WBC Asian continental light flyweight title in Bangkok on Thursday.

Victory over Thai veteran Wichet Sengprakhon at the “Way of the Champions: Fight to Survive” event gave Poon the belt he had previously won in 2018.

“I accomplished my 18-year-old dream five years ago, and to reclaim the title aged 27 makes me happy,” Poon said after improving his career professional record to nine wins and two losses.

“It means a lot to me, but this is certainly not the end [of my ambitions]. I’d say it represents a new start for me.”

Facing the former Muay Thai champion at Spaceplus in the RCA Plaza, the Hongkonger knew exactly what he had to do to prevail: finish it early.

But Poon admitted he was “impatient” at times as he felt the pressure against an opponent fighting on home soil – even with his patchy pro record of 15-12-1

“We had half of the arena cheering for him when he was introduced,” Poon said. “I knocked Sengprakhon down twice but the referee said it was only a slip to let him stand up again.

“I knew I had to win by knockout, because it would be dangerous for the bout to go the full length.

“I rushed more after seeing my punches were effective. I could have stepped back a little bit instead of standing there to fight.”

Wichet, 35, was still no match for Poon, however, being dropped for the third time at the end of the fourth round of 10. A corner man stopped the fight just before the fifth round began.

“Step by step, I hope I can fight against the best in the world,” Poon said. “From this continental belt to an international one and perhaps the world, too. The road ahead is a long one but I’ll walk towards my target.”

Poon was not the only victor for Hong Kong’s Verano Boxing Club at the event.

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Saagar Pradhan – born in Hong Kong to Nepalese parents – recorded his second career win in as many fights and this time did it in style via technical knockout in his middleweight bout with Myanmar’s Oo Win-tun.

Pradhan had earned a unanimous decision victory over Naphat Chowanklang in his welterweight debut in June, but it took the 22-year-old just under a round to deal with the debutant.

“We trained hard in the Philippines and Hong Kong,” he said. “This is the fruit of our labour. Next I want to go for eight-round fights and then challenge for a regional title soon.”