What's Going On In Asia?

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam has been ordered by the WBC to make his mandatory defense against current WBC International champion and number one contender Monelisi Myekeni of South Africa. The long-awaited bout with Jorge “Travieso” Arce is not going to happen as Arce can no longer make the 112 lb. limit.

“It is absolutely mandatory that Pongsaklek Wonjongkam fights the WBC top contender, “said Sulaiman. “This division has had some controversies in the recent past, but it would be unfair to blame the boxer, who is a hero inside and outside the ring.”

If no agreement is reached through free negotiations, a purse offer has been ordered for June 16 in Mexico City.

Does it come as a shock to anyone that Wonjongkam won’t be fighting Arce?

The biggest shock would come if he were to fight someone with an easy to pronounce name like Parra, Pacheco, Kelly or even Darchinyan.

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The WBC has confirmed that their light flyweight world champion, Brian Viloria, is unsure of when he will be able to make the next defense of his title. As a result, the WBC has ordered their mandatory challenger, Juanito Rubillar (39-9-7, 17 KO’s) of the Philippines to fight the number two ranked contender, Wandee Singwangcha (48-7-1, 10 KO’s) of Thailand for the interim title.

WBC President Jose Sulaiman stated “Viloria will fight the winner when he is ready to resume his boxing career. The winner of Rubillar vs. Singwancha must fight Viloria whenever he is ready and fit to fight.” Thailand’s Naris Boxing Promotion won the purse bid for the fight which is tentatively scheduled to take place in Bangkok on July 22nd.

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With just over six weeks left before Manny Pacquiao’s July 2nd date with Oscar Larios, trainer Freddie Roach has instituted a closed-door policy for the champion’s training camp. Roach has admitted publicly to fearing his charge might take Larios for granted and also revealed that both Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik "El Terrible" Morales avoided fighting Larios, whose manager Rafael Mendoza insisted Larios was better than both legendary Mexicans.

"I believe Larios is better than Morales and Barrera, that's why he can beat Pacquiao. I believe he has the stamina and the guts to face Pacquiao. Those are the things Barrera and Morales didn't have."

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Former WBC champion Veeraphol Sahaprom (64-6) has decided to resume his career after suffering a devastating kayo at the hands of Hozumi Hasegawa in his recent attempt at regaining the WBC bantamweight title. Sahaprom faces Hidenobu Honda (26-4, 14 KO’s) August 18th in an attempt to get his career back on track. Honda is a dangerous fight for Sahaprom but has failed in two previous attempts at winning a world championship, first dropping a unanimous decision to current WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and then losing a decision to former WBA super flyweight champion Alexander Munoz.

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Lightweight contender Sirimongkol Singwancha has been forced to withdraw from his May 20th bout against Chikashi Inada when it was discovered Singwancha has hepatitis. According to his management team, Singwancha will fight the winner of Chikashi Inada and late replacement Jose Armando Santa Cruz to determine who will challenge for the lightweight title.

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First, former WBA champion Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai’s bout with Robbie Peden was cancelled. Then Sor Nathachai was scheduled to fight Manuel Medina but this fight was cancelled as well. Manuel Medina is now slated to face Cassius Baloyi for the vacant IBF and IBO Super Featherweight title. Sor Nanthachai will move up to the 135 lb. division.

Upcoming Fights in Asia

June 2, 2006 – Nakornsawan, Thailand
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin vs. Pedro Laurente

Sor Vorapin tries to return to his winning ways over a fighter he should easily defeat. This fight proves little and does nothing to show Sor Vorapin still belongs at the top of the heap.

June 3, 2006 – Glorietta, Makiti, Philippines
Randy Suico vs. Pongpetch Chutwana

Suico should have no problem with this Thai punching bag – if he does, it’s time to think about finding another career.

June 15 or July 15, 2006 – Swissotel, Singapore (***Tentative Date***)
Daudy Bahari vs. Bart Abapo

Singapore plays host to it’s second-ever boxing event. Bahari and Abapo aren’t exactly household names, even in S.E. Asia, but the fight should at least be competitive.

June 23, 2006
Devid Lookmahanak vs. Yuki Murai
Thong Por Chokchai vs. Kosuke Iwashita

Undefeated super flyweight prospect Devid Lookmahanak goes against yet another Japanese fighter who is probably tough in enough to give him some rounds but has little chance of winning. This is the fifth such Japanese fighter in-a-row he’s faced and it’s time for the prospect to face someone who actually has a good chance of beating him.

July 2, 2006 – Areneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines
Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar Larios
WBC International Super Featherweight Title

Everybody’s talking about what Pacquaio’s doing or not doing and how he needs to stay focused. Oscar Larios is training hard and is hungry to not only make the bout competitive but to score the upset.

Larios may have his moments but even on a bad day Pacquaio has what it takes to get the “W”. If Larios fights the fight of his life and makes no mistakes, maybe he has a shot – otherwise, Pacquaio KO 11.  

Gerry Penalosa vs. Gerson Guerro

Penalosa is a ring-worn 33 years of age and while Guerro is no budding superstar, he’ll force Penalosa to work for as long as it lasts. Somebody is going to sleep in this one.

Jimrex Jaca vs. Adrian Valdez

Valdez has logged rounds with good opposition and Jaca will have his hands full with him; Jaca has faced an overabundance of punching bags. He knocked out Bobby Pacquiao in one but Bobby isn’t Manny and doesn’t make a career. Valdez by decision.

Rey Bautistita vs. Alejandro Felix Montiel

Bautista faces a stiff test in Montiel and how he fares will shed some light on just how good he is.

July 2, 2006 - Jakarta, Indonesia (***Tentative Date***)
Chris John vs. Renan Acosta
WBA Featherweight Title

John gets a freebie after his tough fight with Marquez.

July 15, 2006 – Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Hozumi Hasegawa vs. Genaro Garcia
WBC Bantamweight Title

Hasegawa proved he’s no joke in the return match against Sahaprom and did what was expected of him. Now he takes on Garcia.

July 22, 2006 – Bangkok, Thailand
Wandee Singwancha vs. Juanito Rubillar
WBC Interim Light Flyweight Title

I doubt either of these guys can beat Viloria but Rubillar has a better shot than Singwancha. Rubillar by close decision – unless he gets mugged in Bangkok.