The evening promises to be one of the biggest boxing events the country has ever seen, as Quan sets out to defend his IBF belt for the second time at the Grand Ho Tram Strip Hotel in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province.

On Saturday, the skilful Pinoy boxer Baconaje was confirmed as Quan's challenger in an announcement by organisers, VSP Promotions and Cocky Buffalo.

Quan has a good record against Filipino rivals, having beaten Delmar Pellio and Jules Victoriano in the past.

He secured his IBF belt in April when he defeated Pellio in a 10-round contest. Three months later, he successfully defended his title when he beat Victoriano on points in a 12-round bout.

However, Baconaje will be his sternest test to date.

The rising Vietnamese star does have a size advantage. He has recorded nine wins (4KOs), one draw and one loss (KO).

At 24, Quan is younger than his rival and stands at No. 207 in the world, 23 places higher than Baconaje.

However, Baconaje has bowled over some of the Philippines' biggest and best stars. Of his 15 wins, 11 came by knockout. The 29-year-old suffered five losses, three by knockout.

Quan is currently training in South Korea. He had planned to join Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao's training camp to fast-track his progress, but the plans never materialised.

Baconaje is in Japan training with pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue.

The December 10 show will feature four title bouts between fighters from the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The home country will be represented in five of the eight bouts.

Among the other fighters named on the card is WBA Asia super-featherweight champion Charly Suarez of the Philippines, and Vietnamese champion Nguyen Van Hai, who is looking to make another statement in the professional game.

Hai competed recently in Manila against one of the Philippines' hottest lightweight prospects Jerald Into. That high-level bout will have prepared him well for an epic show this December. 

Source: Vietnam News