Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Le Huu Toan has become the first Vietnamese boxer named inthe world top 10 of the World Boxing Association (WBA).
TheWBA recently listed Toan in the 10th place. He is behind boxers from Thailand,Mexico, Puerto Rico, Japan, the Philippines and South Africa.
"It is wonderfulnews for me. I am excited with good news coming one after another," Toan said.
"I have my name onthe world boxing map. The high ranking will help me to access competitivecompetitions, and I will have a chance to grab a higher place in the world andbe No 1 in the future, I hope."
Toan advances to beamong the world's best after winning the WBA Asia's minimum (48kg)weight belt early this March. He beat Thailand's Kitidech Hirunsuk after12 rounds in Ho Chi Minh City.
On March 29, hesuccessfully defended his title at the National Boxing Clubs Championship inTien Giang province.
It is his third yearwinning it in a row, after almost four years of practising boxing.
Toan will not havea chance to compete in the 31st Southeast Asian Games to be hosted by Vietnamin May as his category is not organised for the event. But he willbe busy preparing for a match defending his WBA Asia title in three tosix months as per the WBA schedule./.