Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - All eyes will be on Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi when shefights for the World Boxing Organisation Asia Pacific minimumweight title on February29 in Cambodia.

Nhi is the first Vietnamese female boxer to vie for the title and if she wins,she'll be the first person from her country to qualify for the worldchampionship in the Republic of Korea in April.

Nhi is one of several local boxers growing the sport in a country that lacks along history with the sweet science.

Tran Van Thao, Truong Dinh Hoang - the pioneers

Tran Van Thao, 27, was the first local fighter to make his nameinternationally.

He opened a new chapter in national boxing after knocking out George 'Coken'Lumoly of Indonesia to take his World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia super flyweighttitle in 2017 in Bangkok.

After him, Truong Dinh Hoang, 29, has shown he is the best in Vietnamcurrently.

Hoang clinched the World Boxing Association Asia East super middleweight beltlast October after beating South Korean Lee Gyu-hyun in Hanoi.

On February 15, Hoang defended his WBA Asia title by knocking out YuttanaWongda of Thailand in Manila, the Philippines.

They are outstanding examples of success in boxing and have drawn people’s attentionto the sport.

Love for the sport and glory are some draws to boxing, but the big purses onoffer are also attractive to Vietnamese fighters.

Last year, boxer Thao earned 450 million VND (19,300 USD) for a single bout,win or loss, while Nhi bagged 400 million VND (17,200 USD) after winning onefight in 2018.

According to Nguyen Duc An Son, President of HCM City Boxing Federation, thereare currently 17 professional boxers in Vietnam, a remarkable numberconsidering there were zero three years ago.

“When I came here to coach four years ago, I thought boxing was not popular butlater on I found that people step by step love it and now there are so manygyms here (to serve people’s demand),” said Filipino coach Do Dong of the SaiGon Sports Club.

“Since my first days, there are few trainees but months later, the number ofpeople practising is on the high rise including women because boxing is notjust a fighting sport, it keeps people fit too. No doubt that the number oftrainees will increase sharply in the coming years,” he told Viet Nam News.

Coach Kim Sang-bum of Cocky Buffalo Club agreed.

“When I opened my club three years ago, there were only several members. Butthe number is now increasing exponentially. It proves that Vietnamese not onlylike but love boxing,” said coach Kim from the Republic of Korea.

“They may recognise that it is good for their fitness and improve theiragility. Before boxing was for talented ones, now, it is for everyone,” hesaid.

Boxer Hoang also opened TDH Club in his home town in Buon Ma Thuot city, whichhas lured many participants, especially after he secured his second belt.

“It is always full and fun. I practice boxing while managing this club. Themore you train the better you understand why people love this sport,” said DoThi Thao Hoang’s wife.

“The club welcomes all people who want to improve their health up or becomeprofessionals. Boxing is on the rise here,” she said.

Promising sport

Both of the two boxing pioneers hope to bring the sport forward in Vietnam.

“I am happy and proud to bring victory to Vietnam. But I also know that it ishard to win a title but harder to defend it,” said Thao who has received anumber of challenges from many athletes and will fight again soon.

“I dream to push Vietnam to the world, not only in Asia. Manny Pacquiao made itfor the Philippines so there is no reason that others can't do it too,” hesaid.

Though he's already a top athlete Hoang hasbigger goals and wants international title fights, even against world-classopponents.

“I have my dreams and plans to complete them for me and my trainees too,” said Hoangadded that there are talented athletes such as Nguyen Thi Tam, Nguyen Van Hai andSam Minh Phat and they need more support to develop.

Coach Kim, who has been in Vietnam for many years, said: “Vietnam is home toboxers who would grow strongly given the required support. Vietnamese peopleare smart, observant and active. They can keep their balance well and mostimportantly they are always thirsty for victory. These are key elements inboxing.

“The boxing here is in its first steps and will bloom in the future. Vietnamcould be a leading country in Asia if boxers are well-supported and if therewas someone who could link Vietnam to international boxing competitions. Peoplemay not believe that but I will be the one to prove what I said,” said Kim whoorganised the WBO Oriental Title Match last November in HCM City./.