“I hit him with a good left on the chin in the fourth and that’s when I knew I had him.
“I was watching for his left hand, but it never came. As the fight wore on, he was taking more and more punishment, and I just knew I would win. I just wanted to charge at him and finish it.”
Not only did Tso show he had improved since his seventh-round TKO of Australian Brad Hore nine months ago, he showed he could throw combinations in another step up in performance for the super flyweight.
Right now, my mind is blank. I’m very emotional right now
From the word go, Tso was indeed faster, stronger and fitter than his last fight as he dealt a punishing victory over his 36-year-old South Korean opponent.
Tso made Young look old as he retained his WBC Asian Boxing Council super flyweight belt and grabbed the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title, too.
“I hope to get a world title shot. If it comes, I will be ready,” said the 28-year-old unbeaten southpaw, who impressed a crowd that included Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah.
Tso started off with a few stiff jabs that found its target and as the bout wore on, Young was getting frustrated as the Hong Kong fighter continued to score hits to the body and head.
The 28-year-old connected with some fine left and right hooks, and by the third round it wasn’t a matter of who was going to win, but when the South Korean was going to get knocked out.
Young was sent through the ropes in the third round for a standing eight-count after a series of unanswered blows before Tso delivered his payload in the fourth round and then the fight was stopped by referee Danrex Tapdasan two minutes, 57 seconds into the round.
Tso was only troubled once – by an accidental headbutt – which caused a bit of swelling in his left eye socket.
Meanwhile, Macau’s Ng Kuok Kun also did not disappoint as he continued his winning streak to nine fights. And he did it just days after finishing his second-year university exams.
Ng, who is studying sports education, didn’t have the best of preparations, but this didn’t show when he defeated Thailand’s Weerachit Kitee in their welterweight encounter.
It was another grandstand finish as the “Macau Kid” punished his opponent into submission with his trademark uppercuts doing most of the damage. He let loose with a barrage of punches before the referee stopped the fight two minutes into the fourth round.
Kitee needed assistance after his punishment as he sat on his stool in the middle of the ring, while Ng celebrated his latest victory in style.
Earlier, spectators saw a rising star in Hong Kong light flyweight Raymond Poon Wing-kut, who made a memorable professional debut against Macau’s Hin Leong.
Poon, who has been inspired by Tso to consider joining the pro ranks, is only 20 years old, but he did enough last night to suggest he has a future in the sport, scoring a unanimous decision in the four-round contest.
“It was surreal, like a dream. I couldn’t believe I was actually fighting in front of so many spectators,” said Poon.
“When it was over, it was over just like that and I was glad I was able to be part of it. I wasn’t really nervous. With the lights, spectators and the smoke from the [special effects] it made a great atmosphere.
“I didn’t really have much left in the petrol tank in the end, but I kept up the offensive and I went for it instead of holding anything back. It was a good night for me.”
Poon said there were many areas in his fight game that needed improvement if he was going to make a living like his idol, Tso.
“I need to improve my stamina, and I want to be more effective with my left and right hooks. I need to gradually move up and fight six rounders, eight rounders and 10 rounders next. I have a long way to go,” he said.
Japan’s other fighters had mixed fortunes on the night. James Murashige won his lightweight fight against Filipino Junar Adante with a sixth-round TKO, but Takahiro Oda was on the receiving end of punishment against Filipino Jay Solmiano, who won the middleweight contest in a second-round stoppage.
