Top Rank boxing nights take root in Shanghai

Ik Yang defeated Fahsai Sakkreerin by technical knock out in round 4

Boxing promoter Top Rank brought another professional boxing event to mainland China yesterday, following the first edition of “Fist of Power” launched at Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena in late August.
Sponsored by The Venetian Macao, co-sponsored by Anta Sports, and promoted by Top Rank, SECA and G Sport, the “Fist of Power II” staged seven bouts featuring ten pro fighters from China as well as three boxers from Southeast Asia and one from Ireland.
Highlighted in the seven-
bout boxing night, WBO Asian-Pacific lightweight champion, IK Yang, gained his qualification to challenge the world titles in two divisions, by obtaining the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Junior Welterweight title.
“I showed a good speed striking fists today because I wanted to prove to my opponent that I am faster than him,” the unbeaten Chinese boxer told the media after defeating Thailand’s Fahsai Sakkreerin by technical knockout during the fourth round.
China’s 8-year veteran Ma Yiming also fought his way towards a world title challenge, as he obtained both the WBO Asia Pacific Championship Light Flyweight title and the IBF Pan Pacific Light Flyweight champion belt, in the 10-round bout against Indonesian boxer Tommy Seran by unanimous decision.
The event was regarded as a platform to develop Chinese pro boxers. Some 5,400 tickets were sold out and the show was broadcasted on national channel CCTV Sports where 5 million people were watching.
“The ‘Fist of Power’ is more of the world-class best pro boxing event for Chinese boxers,” said the SECA’s CEO Mr Li Sheng. “Next year we might have a world title fight here; last time we had a world title of the entry of two foreign boxers, but what we find is the audience really want Chinese boxers.”
Enthusiastic spectators cheered for their home champions in the ring from time to time. “Obviously Macau is even crazier, grander than this,” said Mr Li. “There are many so-called professional boxing events in China but we believe none of them have been done with the Top Rank-standard top productions, like the same you would see in Las Vegas and what you see in Macau.” Brook Yang, Shanghai