For a region that is so enshrined in fight sports, it is remarkable at first that there are not many more household names in the annals of Asian boxing history. Though when you think about it, there are so many different available routes to go down if you do have the fighting spirit running through your veins. Muay Thai, kick boxing, MMA to name just three are hugely popular throughout Asia and represent a more natural step for a fighter in, say, Thailand to take than boxing. That said, Asia has still produced some of the best boxers in history and continues to do so. A lot of Asian boxers do not make it into the spotlight until they have achieved success, a fact that makes that journey all the harder, both financially and motivation-wise. One advantage of Asian fighters going under the radar however is fans can get good value at bookmakers, with all boxing odds available of course on any betting app. But let us look at 4 boxers who certainly have made a name for themselves.
Naoya Inoue The only one on our list who is still fighting, Inoue has long been touted as a contender for the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. His record is not far from perfect. 22 fights, 22 wins, 19 coming by way of knockout. All but three of those fights were for a belt. He had already made a name for himself after winning the junior bantamweight belt and defending it seven times, but the fact he had only fought outside Japan once meant he was not receiving the attention an American or European fighter would have been. However, when he demolished Jamie McDonnel, the British title holder, within a round to win the WBA bantamweight strap, it was hard for anyone to ignore him. Since then, he has continued to impress and thrill in equal measure, and has fought in the States and UK. His fight against Nonito Donaire in 2019 was one of the best of the year, and the eagerly awaited rematch looks to be getting closer. At 28, “The Monster” is probably yet to reach his prime, and his awesome power may even increase. In an era when going up and down the weights is rampant, Inoue could clean up not just this division, but several. Manny Pacquiao Unless you have spent time in Pacquiao’s native Philippines it is hard to fathom just how much of a legend he is to his people. In a career that spanned four decades, the southpaw has been an ever present at the very top for almost all of it. Moving up and down an incredible eight divisions, from flyweight to light middleweight, he fought an incredible 72 times, winning 62, losing 8 and drawing 2. His only regret, and those of boxing fans around the world, was that his fight with Mayweather didn’t happen several years earlier. One of the greatest boxers of all time, never mind the greatest Asian boxer of all time. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam In a career that dwarfs even Manny Pacquiao’s, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam is the most successful boxer to come out of Thailand. When he retired in 2018 he had fought 98 times, losing just 5 and drawing 2. 47 of those wins were by knockout, including the 34 second knockout of then flyweight title holder (and another incredible Asian boxer) Daisuke Naito, the fastest knockout in the division’s history. He also held the records for the most consecutive title defences (16) and the record for the most fighters he defended his belt against (again 16). Chris John The Dragon was the fourth Indonesian to win a world title, and held the WBA (Super) featherweight belt for almost a decade, retaining it against 16 different men between September 2003 and April 2013. With a record of 48 wins, 3 draws and just 1 defeat, John is widely regarded as one of the best featherweights ever step into the ring.
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