BOXING
KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Somsak |
Poonsawat |
Former world champion Somsak Sithchatchawal will take on Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym in a WBA super-bantamweight elimination fight in Bangkok on March 31. The all-Thai bout will take place in the compound of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the winner will be given an opportunity to fight WBA champion Celestino Caballero of Panama as the mandatory challenger.
''We are looking for the best one to fight Caballero by October,'' said Niwat Laosuwannawat who is promoting the fight.
Niwat, who is also Poonsawat's manager, believes that the showdown will attract a large crowd because the two fighters are attack-minded. The fight will be broadcast live on Channel 3 from 2.30pm.
''At the age of 26, Poonsawat is younger and more patient,'' he said referring to the former WBA bantamweight title challenger, who is now ranked third in the 122-pound division.
''However, Somsak is more experienced and just back from training abroad.''
Thirty-two year-old Somsak (56-2-1, 44 KOs) lost his belt to Caballero (28-2, 19 KOs) in October, 2006 and is now the number two challenger.
''Losing to Caballero showed how weak Somsak was,'' Niwat said of the Lampang man's third round knock-out defeat in his first defence after winning the title from Mahyar Monshipour in France.
''I do not think he can score a knock-out against my boxer (Poonsawat).''
Sakon Nakhon-born Poonsawat (32-1, 22KOs) has sparred 70 rounds and hopes to put in 100 before the day of the fight.
Niwat said that if Poonsawat wins this eagerly-awaited fight then he is ready to bring Caballero back to Thailand to defend the belt.
''I will bid to have a mandatory fight in Thailand if Poonsawat beats Somsak.'' said Niwat.
''I am quite sure Caballero is not too strong for my boxer. There is no problem although Poonsawat moved up from the bantamweight (118 pound).''
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