Skip to main content

WBC champion gives underdogs a shot over six rounds

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

Thai legend Wonjongkam has 80 victories on his record

WBN pound for pound number eight fighter in the world Pongsaklek Wonjongkam isn’t one for resting inbetween world title fights at 112lbs, he gives young boxers from his homeland in Thailand and surrounding countries, the chance to step in the ring with a legend over six rounds.

The 33 year-old southpaw has beaten the cream of the world’s talent at his own weight in the last two years, including current world champions Julio Cesar Miranda and Koki Kameda and his Apollo Creed-style “give a underdog a chance” seems to go un-noticed, or maybe he likes to keep it that way.

In his last three fights, since successfully defending his WBC belt by out-pointing former WBC Asian champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai, “Sitkanongsak” has given two, three and four-fight novices the chance to become boxing stars, by claiming the biggest scalp at flyweight, with similar stoppage results in the champions favour every time.

It is something the two-time WBC champion has done since he re-claimed the interim title in 2009. Wonjongkam first reigned for six-years, between 2001 and 2007, making 16 successful defences before losing to Daisuke Naito, but re-gained the interim belt against Miranda, before the full title against Kameda and has kept busy between defences ever since.

His record now stands at 80-3-1, with 44 knockouts on his record and his ploy to keep busy between fights seems to keep him fresh for the title defences. His next defence is against Japan's Takuya Kogawa in Thailand on July 1st and the title holder is a heavy favourite to continue his reign as champion.

Popular posts from this blog

WBN Remembers: "Gypsy Boy" Ernie Smith

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor  (picure by boxrec.com)  After almost a year and a half without one of boxing’s great journeymen, World Boxing News is looking back at the 161-fight career of Worcestershire warrior Ernie Smith, concentrating on his contribution in the ring, rather than the tragic way his life ended out of it. Smith turned professional at super-featherweight in 1998 at the Park Hall Hotel in Wolverhampton, losing a six rounder against Welshman Woody Greenaway.  One month later, Ernie was thrown in with an unknown prospect by the name of Gavin Rees (former world champion and current British Lightweight Champion) who he also took the distance over four rounds. The “Gypsy Boy” then managed to string together a four fight unbeaten run together in early 1999 and ended the year winning five out of his twelve contests, but by this time had already delved into the journeyman pool of boxers with a record of 5-8-1. After settling at the welterweight limit, Ernie ga...

Ashley Theophane talks US return, Ricky Burns sparring and future fights

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Treasure’ training for August 24 return Former British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane is aiming to put the disappointment of his loss to Darren Hamilton behind him when he makes his comeback in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24. The 31 year-old, who has fought some of the top fighters between 140 and 154lbs, planned to take 18 months out of chasing his world title dream to win a British Lonsdale belt outright and just fell short with points defeat to Hamilton in May after making two defences. The Londoner is now returning to the US to re-establish his headline status on American soil. He fights for the 38th time in his career against an opponent yet to be named at NC Music Factory’s Reelworks Studios and is currently preparing to get back to winning ways. “Training has gone well for this fight. I've been in the gym for nearly nine weeks so I'm in great shape and ready to go,” Theophane told World Boxing News. ...

WBO #4 Orlando Cruz comes out as the first openly gay boxer in history

Orlando Cruz, a professional boxer from San Juan Puerto Rico (18-2-1, 9 KOs), former Olympian and currently ranked No. 4 Featherweight by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), is announcing today that he ”Is a proud gay man.” Cruz is the first openly gay man in boxing history.  “I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself,” said Cruz.  “I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career.  I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican.  I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.” Orlando Cruz began boxing at the age of 7 and posted an amateur career record of 178-11.  He won 7 Puerto Rico National Title's and spent 4 years on The Puerto Rican National Team.  Cruz won 7 Gold Medals, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze in various international tournaments.  His amateur career culminated as a representative of the 2000 ...