Pongsaklek Makes It 16 In-A-Row, Decisions Myekeni

Sixteen In-A-Row

Suranaree Stadium, Korat, Thailand – WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (63-2-0, 31 KOs) scored a unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Monelisi “Showtime” Myekeni (22-3, 8 KOs) to once again successfully defend his title. The victory extended Wonjongkam’s record for successful flyweight title defenses to sixteen.

Myekeni, 28, gave a good showing, at times frustrating the champion with his jab and constant movement, but in the end Wonjongkam was able to use his experience and punching power to outbox Myekeni.

The fight started quickly when just ten seconds into the first round, Wonjongkam landed a short right hook, dropping the South African challenger. Myekeni, seemingly unfazed, popped up at the count of three and the bout resumed.

Myekeni, fighting out of the orthodox stance, employed a stick-and-move strategy and was never in any serious danger. Wonjongkam, a southpaw, aggressively pressed forward, lunging in with right hooks, straight lefts and right uppercuts.

In round three, during one combination, the two fighters accidentally cracked heads, opening a thin slice above the right eye of Wonjongkam. Referee Bruce McTavish quickly stopped the action and called the doctor to the ring to inspect the cut. Seconds later the doctor gave the OK and the round continued.

The Thai finished the third round strong but the fourth was Myekeni’s. Although busier at times, his punches lacked sufficient force to keep the unrelenting champion at bay and by the finish of the sixth round, the champion looked on his way to an easy points win.

In the final rounds, the South African made a last ditch effort to dethrone Wonjongkam but the champion thwarted his attacks to garner the judges’ decision.

Judges’ scores: 116-111 x 2, 117-112. The Sweet Science scored it 116-111

After the fight, Myekeni stated the fight was his toughest to date but overall, he was happy with his performance.

”His experience made the difference. After the seventh round, he took over the fight. It was good experience for me, but I'll be back. I'll be champion one day.”

Wonjongkam is undefeated in his last ten years as a professional and this victory is especially sweet because of the harsh criticism he’s received for facing what many believe to be one ordinary opponent after another. His last mandatory title defense came against Hussein Hussein in November of 2003 in a bout which Wonjongkam also won by decision.

The Thai plans to make 20 title defenses by the end of 2007. His next bout is scheduled to be in Japan, but as of now the opponent has yet to be determined.

News, Notes and Results

MCC Hall, Bangkae, Bangkok –  Former WBC bantamweight champion Veeraphol Sahaprom easily stopped Maiko Yombayomba, knocking him out with a body punch in round four of a scheduled ten-round go. Yombayomba, a 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games gold medalist, was making his professional debut after serving in the Tanzanian military. Sahaprom is hungry for one last shot at a title;

Supporting the card, Devid Lookmahanak outboxed Marvin Tampus over twelve rounds to win his 14th straight and Thong Por Chokchai TKO’d Obote Ameme in round four of a scheduled ten-rounder.

WBC #2 ranked Super Bantamweight Napapol Kiatisakchokchai whacked out Dondon Lapuz in five to ensure a title eliminator against Saenghiran Lookbanyai, also of Thailand. Lookbanyai is the WBC’s #3 ranked Super Bantamweight.

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WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa (21-2, 7 KOs) successfully defended his championship by winning a unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Genaro Garcia (35-5, 20 KOs) of Mexico. Garcia was down twice in the fight.

Japan-based Thailander Eagle Kyowa won a close but unanimous decision over Mexico’s Lorenzo Trejo (28-15, 15 KOs) to make the third defense of his WBC straw weight title. Both fighters were done but in the end, it was Kyowa who pulled out the victory. Judges; scores: 113-112 x 2 and 114-113.

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In what should come as no surprise, the Superfighter heavyweight tournament scheduled to take place in Australia has been postponed. According to the show’s promoter, Stephen Duval, the withdrawal of Calvin Brock and Samuel Peter, combined with visa issues, led to the decision to postpone the event. It is the intention of those involved with Superfighter to hold the tournament in the U.S. in early 2007.

Upcoming Fights

November 25, 2006 – Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore
Solomon Egberime vs. Dondon Sultan
Emmett Gazzard vs. Thongcharoen Suwanasil
Mohammad Nor Rizan vs. Pornthep Kawponkanpim
David Alexis vs. TBA

December 17, 2006 – Chungmu Art Hall, Seoul, Korea
In Jin Chi vs. Rudolfo Lopez
WBC Featherweight Title

December 23, 2006 – Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia
Muhammad Rachman vs. Benjie Sorolla
IBF Minimumweight Title

January 6, 2006 – Indonesia
Naoufel Ben Rabah vs. Lovemore N'dou
IBF Light Welterweight Title Eliminator

January / February – Tenggarong City, Borneo, Indonesia
Chris John vs. Jose Rojas
WBA Featherweight Title