Bùi Thị Nhật Lệ (centre) will be Việt Nam's first boxing referee to work at a WBA Asia event on November 22-23 in Singapore. Photo courtesy of Bùi Thị Nhật Lệ

According to the Việt Nam Boxing Federation (VBF), it will be the first time that a Vietnamese referee has been invited to an international professional boxing competition.

VBF is the only organisation in Việt Nam that manages both amateur and professional boxing.

Lệ, 29, used to be a boxer before she switched to be a coach and referee. She is one of several Vietnamese 1-star referees recognised by International Boxing Association.

Lệ has experience in many pro events held in Việt Nam in recent years.

“Sending Vietnamese referees to work at international boxing events is one of the first tasks VBF has accomplished in its second working term,” said VBF President Lưu Tú Bảo.

He said it was VBF’s goal to train and lift quality of professional boxing referees, which was part of the federation’s plan to professionalise the national boxing.

“The presence of Vietnamese referees at international events is clear evidence of the comprehensive development of Việt Nam boxing as we have had athletes, coaches, referees and other staff working internationally,” Bảo said.

The Việt Nam Boxing Commission will be set up to manage boxing activities by the end of November. Photo of SSC

In other boxing news, VBF will set up a Việt Nam Boxing Commission (VBC) which will take charge of all activities concerning to professional boxing by the end of November.

VBC will manage athletes and referees as well as organise international professional tournaments. Vietnamese boxers will sharpen their technique at these events and earn better results when they take part in world-leveled competitions.

Later on, VBF will issue the general competition laws and professional boxing regulations in Việt Nam. VNS