Rex Tso still suffering from blurred vision with date for return to boxing ring unknown
Unbeaten Hong Kong boxer’s left eye has not fully recovered seven months on from his last fight against Kohei Kono, where he suffered a gruesome injury in a clash of heads
Repeatedly squinting and blinking hard between camera flashes, Hong Kong boxer star Rex Tso Sing-yu is still struggling seven months after suffering a grotesque eye injury in his last fight.
“I recently went for a check-up and it’s a bit better, but my left eye is still blurry,” said the 30-year-old undefeated southpaw (22-0-0, 13KOs) at a promotional event for restaurant chain Tai Hing’s new low-calorie menu on Tuesday.
“Before that the doctor told me my left eye is not even at 0.7 yet but now it’s probably 0.8 or 0.9,” said Tso, referring to the range used by ophthalmologists to measure visual acuity, with perfect vision measured as a 1. “It’s better but I still need time to rest.”
Tso retained his WBO international super flyweight title in last October’s controversial ‘Clash of Champions 3’ bout against Kohei Kono despite a nasty clash of heads with his Japanese opponent in the seventh round.
The Wonder Kid, who was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the injury, won via a technical decision after the ringside doctor declared his eye was too damaged to continue the fight.
Tso had posted on social media in January that he needed about six more months to rest, adding that he hoped to do something “special” in the second half of 2018.
But it is becoming increasingly likely those plans will be delayed as Tso has yet to even put on a pair of boxing gloves since winning his 22nd bout in a row. His WBO ranking has also slipped from number one to six.
“I hope I can [get back to training] soon,” said Tso. “I’m running and keeping fit – not completely stopped – and I always want to throw some shadow boxing out there.
“Earlier I was just training my left eye, but usually when I look at something my mind automatically chooses not to use that eye. Now I’m practising using both eyes – so my mind can get used to it again.
“But I really can’t confirm [when I’ll be back] because the condition is not steady. My eye isn’t ready yet so I can’t say for how long.”
No 1 contender and fellow Filipino Donnie Nietes (41-1-4) earlier vacated his IBF flyweight title in search for more silverware, suggesting the WBO is not waiting around for Tso.
