CaliToday (06/9/2025): The Vietnamese boxing community has been thrown into turmoil following shocking reports that Luu Tu Bao, the President of the Vietnam Boxing Federation (VBF), has been arrested in the United States and is now facing extradition to Australia to stand trial for allegedly leading a major drug trafficking syndicate.
The news, which has stunned sports enthusiasts and officials alike, first gained traction after Bao disappeared for months. He had initially traveled from Vietnam to the U.S., citing the need to arrange a funeral for a relative, before all communication ceased.
Vietnamese authorities and sports bodies are now grappling with the severe allegations against a man who was, until recently, a celebrated figure in the nation's combat sports scene.
According to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, as cited by Vietnam's Thanh Nien newspaper on September 6, Luu Tu Bao is believed to be the same individual as Bao Luu, a man wanted by Australian authorities. Under the aliases 'Chris Luu' and 'Big Brother', Bao Luu is accused of being the kingpin of a transnational criminal organization.
The Australian allegations are severe, claiming he orchestrated a plot to smuggle 178 kilograms of cocaine into Australia between 2016 and 2017. An arrest warrant for Bao Luu was re-issued by the Melbourne Magistrates' Court in Victoria, Australia, on April 2, 2025. Following this, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs formally submitted an extradition request to the United States, which was received by the California federal court in mid-August 2025.
Bao's legal troubles in the U.S. began with a separate charge. He was initially arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Santa Clara County, California, for alleged kidnapping and false imprisonment. It was during this process that U.S. authorities discovered the outstanding international arrest warrant issued by the Australian Federal Police.
The fallout in Vietnam has been swift. The Vietnam Boxing Federation held an emergency meeting on September 4, where it was determined that Bao was no longer capable of running the organization due to his legal entanglement. The VBF has announced it will convene an extraordinary congress to elect a new president.
The Vietnam Sports Administration has reportedly requested assistance from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to officially verify the legal status of Bao, who holds dual citizenship in both Vietnam and the United States.
The news marks a stunning downfall for the 49-year-old sports executive. Luu Tu Bao was elected President of the VBF for its second term on October 15, 2023. He also served as the President of the Ho Chi Minh City MMA Federation (HMMAF) and was the CEO of the Saigon Sports Club (SSC), one of Vietnam's earliest professional boxing gyms. In a dramatic turn of irony, he was awarded an honorary belt by the WBA Asia in 2023 for his significant contributions to the sport.
As legal proceedings continue in the U.S., the Vietnamese boxing community is left to confront the shocking allegations against its former leader and navigate an uncertain future.
