The Wonder Kid
Why Rex Tso Sing-yu is a contender for the world super-flyweight title
Nicknamed “The Wonder Kid”, Rex Tso Sing-yu, 30, is Hong Kong’s first boxer to gain recognition on the world stage.
The unbeaten Hong Kong fighter has won many admirers over his six years on the professional circuit with his blend of technical ability and his courage.
He was signed to top US fight stable Top Rank and is thought to be on the cusp of a world title shot.
Photo: DEF Promotions
Tso followed his late father Tso Shu-yan and brother Ralf into boxing. His father was Hong Kong amateur champion seven times.
22 fights since 2011
22 wins
Ranking
14 / 691
Fight record
Won by
Rounds of fight
Opp. record
(W-L-D)
Opponent stance
Opponent age diff.
Title(s)
Kohei Kono
Oct 07, 2017
TD
7/12
33-10-1
Orthodox
+6
x1
WBO International Super Flyweight Title
Hirofumi Mukai
Mar 11, 2017
KO
8/12
13-4-3
Southpaw
+2
x3
WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Flyweight Title
WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight Title
WBO International Super Flyweight Title
Ryuto Maekawa
Oct 08, 2016
UD
10/10
11-0-1
Orthodox
-9
x2
WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Flyweight Title
(vacant) WBO International Super Flyweight Title
Young Gil Bae
May 14, 2016
TKO
4/12
27-5-1
Orthodox
+8
x2
WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Flyweight Title
(vacant) WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Brad Hore
Aug 29, 2015
TKO
7/10
5-1-0
Southpaw
+5
x1
(vacant) WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Flyweight Title
Phum Kunmat
Jul 18, 2015
TKO
4/8
22-11-1
Orthodox
+6
N/A
Michael Enriquez*
Mar 07, 2015
UD
10/10
10-2-1
Orthodox
-4
x1
(vacant) WBA International Super Flyweight Title
Espinos Sabu
Nov 23, 2014
UD
8/8
14-2-1
Orthodox
-2
N/A
John Bajawa
Jul 19, 2014
TKO
5/8
10-6-0
Orthodox
-5
N/A
Nattaphong Panpaew
May 31, 2014
UD
10/10
23-2-1
Orthodox
-4
x1
WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mako Matsuyama*
Feb 22, 2014
TKO
8/10
7-7-1
Orthodox
-2
x2
WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super Flyweight Title
vacant WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Chaloemchai Khrithammarat
Nov 24, 2013
TKO
1/6
7-3-0
Orthodox
-4
N/A
Rusalee Samor
Jul 27, 2013
MD
6/6
20-4-2
Orthodox
+3
N/A
Wandee Singwancha
May 28, 2013
TKO
4/12
67-16-1
Orthodox
+8
x1
WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super Flyweight Title
Timur Shailezov
Dec 11, 2012
RTD
10/12
16-5-1
Orthodox
+7
x1
(vacant) WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super Flyweight Title
Manot Comput
May 05, 2012
UD
4/4
7-3-0
Orthodox
+5
N/A
Torsak Singabasak
Apr 26, 2012
TKO
1/10
Debut
N/A
N/A
N/A
Aldrin Janer
Feb 19, 2012
TKO
4/4
1-2-0
Orthodox
+2
N/A
Mabert Paulino
Jan 28, 2012
UD
4/4
2-8-0
Southpaw
N/A
N/A
Jeffrey Pajaroja
Dec 14, 2011
TKO
2/4
Debut
N/A
N/A
N/A
Unknown
Oct 25, 2011
KO
1/4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Xian Qian Wei*
Sep 22, 2011
UD
4/4
0-1-0
Orthodox
-8
N/A
Jay Lau Chi-yuen, Tso’s manager
When we started professional boxing in 2011 he was three times Hong Kong amateur champion. But at that moment he didn’t have a strong goal so he never trained really hard. In fact everyone said he’s real lazy and I agreed with that. And even he agreed with that.”
Tso has some unique physical attributes for his weight class: he has a long reach and is relatively tall in his division.
Tso vs Kono
Height and reach
Height
170cm
Reach
177cm
Height
167cm
Reach
172cm
Stance
Rex's career fight weights
* 1lb = 0.45kg
Jay Lau Chi-yuen, Tso’s manager
He’s a big super-flyweight so we always say ‘Rex you gotta keep your distance, move your feet, use your reach’. Everyone says that, and we’re trying to train him that way. But he just loves toe-to-toes with anyone.”
The right hook
Tso’s signature punch is his devastating right hook to the body.
Here’s how it works:
Tom Taw, DEF Promotions stablemate
His signature move without a doubt has gotta be his right hook to the body ... You can actually physically see it in someone’s face. It’s a real soul snatcher.”
Ross Eathorne has coached Tso on his movement, with a particular focus on his flexibility and ability to pivot to deliver a more powerful punch.
Ross Eathorne, strength and conditioning coach
In particular what’s important is the pivot movement. So we train to pivot like a cylinder ... So I think his pivot for his right hook, his body blow, is probably better than most boxers that I’ve watched.”
Tso also punches fast. He trained with Manny Pacquiao’s famed coach, Rick Staheli, in the Philippines before turning pro.
Staheli said: “He’s good, he’s quick,” according to Lau.
Tom Taw, DEF Promotions stablemate
You can hear it now, it’s just like a machine gun going off ... He’s got very good footwork he can get in and out very easily and very quickly, but I think [his] hand speed helps him overcome his opponents.”
‘If you got knocked down, can you come back?’
Jay Lau Chi-yuen, Tso’s manager
The strongest weapon on Rex is his mind. The most [impressive thing] about Rex is not how good his style is, how strong he is, it’s one thing: he comes back.”
Several of his fights have been dubbed "classics" and his toe-to-toe style has won him a lot of fans. More often than not he will outlast his opponents.
Jay Lau Chi-yuen, Tso’s manager
If you hear all the commentating of Rex’s fights, you hear the commentators say ‘He may not be the best boxer, but he brings the best fight’.”
His style also makes other boxers think they have a fighting chance, but they can't get the better of him.
Tom Taw, DEF Promotions stablemate
He can go 12 rounds non-stop. I wouldn’t say he’s got any glaring weaknesses, he’s got everything. I wish I had his fitness and I wish I had his speed, as well.”