After years of relentless effort, Taiwanese boxer Ming Hung Lee has finally secured his shot at a championship belt. His Cebu-based promoter, Big Yellow Promotions, has landed him a World Boxing Foundation (WBF) regional title fight scheduled for this coming July.
From Masbate Debut to Title Contender
The journey for Lee began professionally in the Philippines back in 2017. He announced his arrival with an impressive second-round stoppage victory over Wilfredo Ruta in Masbate. This explosive start set the tone for a promising career built entirely on Filipino soil.
Lee's dedication was evident from his early streak, winning his first seven professional bouts. He experienced his first and only career setback so far in 2019. Today, he holds a formidable professional record of 11 wins, with 8 coming by knockout, and only 1 loss.
A Cebu Gym's Project Comes to Fruition
Ming Hung Lee's story is deeply intertwined with Cebu's boxing scene. He first walked into the Big Yellow Boxing Gym in 2018 and has been training there exclusively for nearly six years. Every single one of his professional fights has been staged in the Philippines under the guidance of his Cebu team.
Christopher "Ping-Ping" Tepora, the head coach at Big Yellow, highlighted the fighter's unwavering determination. "We saw Lee's burning desire to become a champion," Tepora explained. "We committed to doing everything possible to help him achieve that dream." This long-term investment in a foreign fighter showcases the gym's role as an international training hub.
The Search for a Worthy Opponent
While the title opportunity is confirmed for July, one crucial detail remains: the opponent. Coach Tepora revealed that the search for Lee's challenger is actively ongoing. The promotion is leaning strongly towards selecting a Filipino boxer for the championship bout, which promises to add a compelling cross-strait rivalry to the event.
This setup not only gives Lee a chance at gold but also provides a platform for a local fighter to stake his claim on the regional stage. The upcoming fight is a testament to the fruits of perseverance, cross-border collaboration in sports, and Cebu's enduring status as a prime destination for boxing development in Asia.
