Exclusive: Cameron Vunog Eyeing Vietnam Headline Title Showdown

Cameron Vuong, described as one of Britain’s best young prospects by leading promoter Eddie Hearn, hopes this weekend’s bout against Gavin Gwynne moves him a step closer towards achieving his dream of headlining a show in Vietnam.

As fighters across the globe train their sights on Saudi Arabia - thanks to the Kingdom’s game-changing investment in the sport of boxing - Vuong has an alternative location in mind for a world title assignment once he reaches, as Matchroom’s chairman expects, the pinnacle of his profession.

Despite operating out of the North-East, being based in Blyth and training at nearby Birtley, Vuong can trace his family heritage back to south-east Asia where his father grew-up before emigrating to the UK. 

Although he also expressed a desire to feature on one of Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season cards, the 22-year-old wants to pay tribute to his ancestry by eventually defending one of the lightweight division’s major belts in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, I’d love to do something there,” Vuong said, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“That would be brilliant and, who knows, when I’ve achieved some of the other things I also want to achieve that might be possible."

“I’m proud of my family and I’m proud of my background. If I do what I want to do and the people over there get behind me then I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t happen."

“If it does, I know it would be an amazing event and an amazing occasion.”

'The One'

Nicknamed ‘The One’, Vuong is preparing for his seventh outing since turning professional at the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, on Saturday evening. 

The clash with Gwynne, the reigning European champion, marks a major step-up in class for the former ABA and Tri-Nation title holder who has won all of his six assignments so far. 

Three of those victories have come inside the distance, compared to five out of 21 for his Welsh opponent. 

Gwynne, who hails from Merthyr Tydfil, previously held the British and Commonwealth belts before defeating Emiliano Marsili for the EBU strap 11 months ago. 

However, Gwynne, aged 34, enters his meeting with Vuong on the back of an unsuccessful challenge for the WBA intercontinental crown - having been stopped by Mark Chamberlain on a show in Saudi.

Redemption Mission

“I’d love to appear in Las Vegas one day and of course I’d love to appear in Riyadh or somewhere else over there,” said Vuong, whose match-up with Gwynne forms part of the support to Sunny Edwards versus Galal Yafai for the vacant WBC interim flyweight title. 

“I’d love to appear on more great shows in this country too because, as I say, I’m proud of where I’m from."

“But it would be amazing to get over to Vietnam as well and, one day, be a part of the biggest boxing event in that country. I don’t see any reason why it can’t happen eventually.”

“My focus, mind, is on ticking off all the things I want to do in boxing,” Vuong added. 

“It’s one step at a time, taking it one fight at a time, and not losing sight of what’s immediately in front of me."

“That’s not something I’m going to do because I’m focused on achieving my dreams and getting to where I believe I can be.”