Exclusive: Francis Chua Ready To Put On A show At Thunderdome 50

Dragon Fire Boxing’s iconic Thunderdome series celebrates its 50th show this Friday in Perth, Australia, and what better way to mark the historical occasion than for the promotion to feature Perth’s own Francis Chua ( 8-3-1, 3KO) in the main event.

It has been over two years since Chua last threw leather; his comeback bout will see him trading blows with China’s Xiaotao Su (14-7-0,8KO) in an eight-round contest for the WBC Australasia Silver Lightweight strap.

The 39-year-old Chua announced himself on the international scene back in 2018 when he sensationally defeated compatriot Kye MacKenzie, then the WBO No.2, on the undercard of the Jeff Horn – Anthony Mundine bout.

Chua’s most recent outing was a 2022 split decision loss to Japan’s highly rated Hironori Mishiro, and he is excited to be gearing up for one final chapter in his boxing career.

“This will be my last run. I want to really go as far as I can with this, and then, we’ll see where we go,” Chua said to Boxing Daily.

“Time doesn’t stop. So, I feel like I can still get opportunities now, and I can still do it. I had better do it before I regret it. I don’t want to be too old, saying, ‘Man, I wish I did that.’ I want to leave this world with some stories.”

Chua is training at Big Rigs alongside several upcoming Perth talents, including Jude Grant. He is enjoying the camaraderie of being part of a boxing stable where everyone is striving to be the best.

“I’m learning about myself, but what’s nice is when I am with the team, with everyone — that’s what gives you drive when you go in the gym and you’re excited,” he said.

“Everyone’s pushing, and then you try to keep up with everyone, or they’re trying to keep up with you. It’s just great. It’s the little competitions that you have with everyone in the gym, and that’s what keeps you accountable.”

Chua will head into Friday’s clash as the bookies’ favourite, but he knows he can take nothing for granted once the action heats up. Ranked No.4 in the Chinese lightweight division, and with eight knockouts to his name, the 28-year-old Su is more than capable of upsetting the odds if he can establish his rhythm early on in the matchup.

Chua is confident that fans will not be disappointed come fight night.

“I actually think this will be a really entertaining fight because he’s an aggressive fighter, and I’m an aggressive fighter,” he said.

“I’m hoping I’ll be able to get a stoppage, just to show that I’m back and to make that kind of statement, to get that title.”

Winning the title is not the only motivation that is helping drive Chua ahead of this week’s bout. He is also driven by the support of his daughter from his first marriage and his fiancée.

“They were the ones who gave me the push to do it again,” Chua said.

A win over Su will help position Chua for a run at an Australian title. After making his pro debut at Thunderdome 20, it seems only right that Chua returns to the promotion, where it all started, to kick off the final stage of his boxing journey.