Hong Kong boxer Raymond Poon ends 4-year wait with comeback fight in Thailand – having almost called it quits
- Raymond Poon is finally set for a return to action on Thursday – after coming close to hanging up his gloves in frustration
- His teammates Saagar Pradhan and Lee Ka-wing will both make professional debuts at Spaceplus in Bangkok
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Raymond Poon Kai-ching has admitted he was ready to leave his professional boxing career behind, had he not secured Thursday’s bout – his first fight in over four years – in Bangkok.
Former WBC (World Boxing Council) youth intercontinental light-flyweight champion Poon, who holds a 7-2-0 professional record, will face Thailand’s Phet Singmanatsak in a light flyweight match-up at the “Way of the Champions” event at Spaceplus in the RCA Plaza.
Having recently been left as Hong Kong’s only male pro boxer, the 27-year-old said he felt “lonely” at times, as he opted to stay on while “everyone else either retired or switched paths” over the years.
“The sense of loneliness is probably down to the change of faces around me,” Poon, who started his professional career seven years ago, said. “You trained and fought alongside someone, went through the challenges together, but most of them have a different identity now.
“Even [the city’s top fighter] Rex Tso Sing-yu switched to amateur boxing and is now on an entirely different route.”
Poon’s last pro fight came in a loss against Li Xiang at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2019.
After that came closures of facilities in Hong Kong during the Covid-19 pandemic, and a dispute with his former management team that prevented him from fighting abroad.
He said the prolonged wait for the next opportunity in the ring was “tormenting” at the start.
“After losing the bout for the vacant WBO [World Boxing Organisation] youth light flyweight belt, I did not have any fights lined up,” the orthodox boxer added.
“The most difficult part is you know it’s not easy to have another huge competition in Hong Kong. At times I even felt pro boxing in the city had stopped or even died.
“The struggle was real because I did not know when my next fight is. There were not even any plans that would lead me to my target.”
With his career finally back on track, the Hongkonger expects to finish his opponent on Thursday via knockout.
“This is my comeback fight, so I want to be dominant right from the start, and not win by decision needing to go through all six rounds,” Poon said.
Also fighting on Thursday’s card in Bangkok, which features 13 bouts in total, are two other boxers from Hong Kong’s Verano Boxing Club, which is operated by Jake Verano, Poon’s coach since 2016.
The 21-year-old Saagar Pradhan, who was born in the city to Nepalese parents, will fight Naphat Chowanklang of Thailand in a four-round welterweight bout, on what will be his professional debut.
“I am definitely excited to showcase my skill and show what Hong Kong athletes can do,” Pradhan, who holds a 6-1-0 amateur record, said.
“I cannot wait for the fight but I am also calm because I trust our preparations. I have trained and am equipped for it.”
Ten-year amateur veteran Lee Ka-wing, who holds a 41-15-0 career record, is also making his professional debut, after “fulfilling my mission” locally by winning the bantamweight title at the Hong Kong Championship last year.
“I knew it was time for me to try another route,” Lee said. “This belated chance is something I will cherish so much. I am going to push my limits for it in the ring.”
The 30-year-old will fight Thailand’s Pobtham Julla in a four-round bantamweight bout.
“There is no time to waste for a boxer like me,” he added. “I had fought overseas in mainland China, Malaysia and Taiwan previously, so I have the experience and do not feel any nerves.”
