Vietnamese boxing champ beats Filipino opponent to defend IBF Asia belt

Despite the support from the home fans at The Grand Ho Tram Strip Resort in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Quan, who’s 233rd on world ranking, entered the game with caution and composure as he put his guard up in the first three rounds to probe his opponent.

On the other side, Victoriano actively made movements to dodge the attacks from Quan. In the third round, the Filipino boxer started to unleash the punches and one of them hit Quan in the face.

However, Quan quickly reclaimed the advantage in the fourth round, with a series of precise attacks that stunned the opponent. The game was thought to be over in the ninth round, when Quan charged consecutive powerful punches into Victoriano’s face, but he was able to survive it.

Victoriano even managed to retaliate in the 11th round with a heavy hook that floored Quan. The Vietnamese champ took no time to get up and returned the flavor with two accurate punches to the opponent’s face. In the last round, both boxers went all out but none of them could knock out the other.

All referees gave Quan higher scores than Victoriano (115-113, 115-113 and 117-111). This result helped Quan defend his IBF Asia belt and got him his ninth professional win.

In April, Quan became the first Vietnamese boxer and the youngest in the country to win a IBF Asia belt after defeating another Filipino, Delmar Pellio.

According to IBF’s regulation, an Asia belt holder must step in the ring every three months to defend the title.