BOXING
KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Pongsaklek Wonjongkam is going to try and force a mandatory shot at WBC flyweight champion Daisuke Naito in a bid to reclaim his old title.
The 31-year-old Thai tried in vain to win back the belt last weekend in Tokyo but could only manage a draw, which meant Naito kept the crown he took off Pongsaklek in July of last year.
Pongsaklek remains as the number one challenger in the 112-pound division - although that does not mean he automatically will be named as the mandatory contender.
''We will be waiting for the mandatory fight and that could take place within five months,'' said Pongsaklek's promoter Piyarat Wachirarattawongse.
Wirat said that to make sure that the mandatory fight would happen in the near future, he sent a letter to WBC concerning last week's judging at the weekend.
''We wanted WBC to review the fight and the scores,'' he said.
Piyarat admitted the open scoring affected Pongsaklek's style, as he could see he was behind. The Thai went on the offensive but found it difficult to catch Naito.
The promoter said that Naito could fight anyone before taking on Pongsaklek for the fifth time. Pongsaklek won the first two by stoppage and Piyarat said that it would be possible to have the mandatory fight held in Thailand, even though it would cost a lot of money.
''Pongsaklek's sponsor Kratingdaeng (Red Bull) confirmed that they would bring the fight to Thailand,'' he said.
There are no options in a mandatory fight. If the two camps cannot agree on the place and wages, they have to bid for the fight in Mexico at WBC headquarters.
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