KUCHING: Hard training for two months had paid off for professional boxer from Sarawak, Daeloniel McDelon Bong after he successfully won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Silver Superbantam Weight fight.

The historic moment was made in front of nearly 4,000 loyal supporters who filled the Petra Jaya Indoor Stadium last night by knocking down the challenger from Thailand, Yuttihchai Wannawong with a technical knockout (TKO) in the fifth round.

The two boxers displayed an aggressive action as soon as the match started with mutual punches and thrusts.

But Daeloniel or popularly known as 'Kilat Boy' wisely used his arm speed and agility to surround Yuttihchai and release punches that caused his opponent to fall down three times but refused to admit defeat.

Yuttihchai finally conceded after not being able to continue the match in the fifth round, forcing the referee to stop the match for Kilat Boy's absolute victory.

"Thank God for this victory. It is a new history that I created for Sarawak.

"What I've been dreaming of for years has come true and I have to dedicate this victory to Malaysia and Sarawak in particular.

"I would also like to present this victory to the Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), Sarawak Boxing Association (SABA), coaches, family members and supporters who have always given me moral support all this time,”he said when interviewed after the match ended.

Also present to give moral support to Kilat Boy were the MYSED Minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his Deputy, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo, Sarawak Police Commissioner, Dato Mancha Ata, Consul General of the Republic Indonesia in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono, MYSED Permanent Secretary Morshidi Fredrick, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sarawak Sports Corporation, Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan and other distinguished guests.

Meanwhile, seven other matches also took place last night.

Singaporean boxer, Velco Tan managed to defeat Arthur Sitta Rodriquez from Brazil while Vicky Khan from India won over Taimoor Khan from Pakistan in the Heavyweight category.

The Light Heavyweight action saw the American participant, Daishun Middleton defeat Worawut Singhabutr from Thailand while Kim Sangyeon from Korea had to sweat before successfully eliminating Yosep Boido from Indonesia.

An experienced boxer from Japan, Toshihiko Era also stole the spotlight when he successfully defeated his opponent from India, Pawan Kumar Arya also in the WBC Asia Championship fight.

Another representative from Malaysia, Khairul Azim won over Ohan Sigalinglin from Indonesia in the Featherweight category.

Meanwhile, the Superbantam category match between Herlan Gomez from the Philippines and Sukpasried Ponphitak from Thailand ended with a victory for Herlan. -UKASnews