Cesar Cuenca vs IK Yang
Argentina’s Cesar Cuenca moved himself a step closer to the world record following his victorious debut outside of his home country at Saturday night’s “Victory at the Venetian”, shattering China’s high-profile boxer Yang Lian Hui’s dreams of a world title.
The undefeated Cuenca (48-0, 2 KOs), winner of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight world title championship with scores of 117-108, 115-110 and 116-109, told media at the post-
fight briefing that he gained the upper hand of the fight right after the first round of the 12-round bout. Despite being knocked down by Yang (19-1, 14 KOs) in the fifth round, drawing an instantaneous standing ovation from Yang’s fans, Cuenca remained dominant at the Cotai Arena and continued to overwhelm his Chinese rival in the remaining rounds.
“Though my legs bent and I was not standing that well, I felt the punch, but it wasn’t that much,” said the 34-year-
old winner. “He fought heavily, he had a heavy punch, but nothing hurt me that much.”
Cuenca also expressed his confidence that he could reach Rocky Marciano’s all time 49-0 record in the near future.
After his failed attempt at the world gold belt, Yang, also known as IK Yang, appeared apologetic in the press conference, bowing solemnly to the media before he spoke of the loss. “I promised to stage a remarkable contest before. I think I made it. However, I had been lagging behind in the bout, of which both my team and I were aware,” he said.
Appearing proactive and aggressive throughout the fight, Yang had received multiple warnings for low blows and he lost points in the last round for trying to trip over his opponent in a desperate attempt to land a knockout punch. The 30-year-old explained: “Someone asked me before how I’d react if my opponent went underhanded, and I replied I would do even more than that. (…) I only wished to knock him out, although I’d lose points. I never thought of defeating him by points.”
However, the Chinese boxer acknowledged that he lacked the strength to take down his adversary and put it down to his anxiety for a win, which affected his mindset during the fight.
Undaunted by the first loss in his boxing career, Yang pledged to return to the region’s arena with a “more comprehensive self.”
Standing in Yang’s corner that night was Justin Fortune in lieu of the ailing Freddie Roach. The Australian coach reckoned the Chinese boxer should have dealt more combinations to secure more points against his rival, who possesses 13 years of professional experience. Cuenca also revealed that his extensive experience was another reason for his triumph.
Saturday’s match also highlighted an impressive undercard bout where the Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire (35-3, 23 KOs) defeated the French fighter Anthony Settoul (20-4, 8 KOs) with a second-round TKO in the super bantamweight division, attracting thundering cheers from spectators. Hong Kong’s popular fighter Rex Tso also defeated his Thai oponent Khunkhiri Wisaruth by TKO in round four. Staff reporter
KK Ng stages a round-four knockout against his Thai opponent
Macau Kid KK Ng bounds for title fight after straight eighth win
Macau Kid Ng Kuok Kun, also known as KK Ng (8-0, 3 KOs) stunned the audience by extending his unbeaten record to an eighth consecutive win with a TKO against Thailand’s Phompetch Twins Gym in the fourth round of their welterweight bout.
On his way up to an unbeaten record of ten wins, the local professional boxer told media that he aimed for a title championship in the current weight division. “I wanted to fight for a title here in Macau to prove to all Macau people that we could win on the stage,” said the 24-year-old boxer.
Ng disclosed that both his speed and power have greatly improved after losing weight for Saturday’s fight, where he out-boxed his Thai rival from the beginning. He said: “The first two rounds were for probing, and I planned to drain his physical strength afterwards. He chose to confront me with another strategy in the third one with much of his energy involved, yet I managed to see through the flaws while his strength faded significantly.”
Ng, well prepared for title fights, also added that his personal boxing style formed gradually over time. However, the burgeoning fighter wants more experience in the ring in order to get into his groove.
“I acted so stiff right after ascending the arena, and would become free only in the third or fourth round,” said he. The past training sessions for his last contest were movement-and-defense oriented, which Ng reckoned have to be further ramped up in in order to achieve his title aspirations.
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