## MEDGOEN KEEPS WBC FLY TITLE BY BEATING JAPAN'S KAWABATA

February 25, 2000
SAMUT SAKORN, THAILAND-Thailand's unbeaten MEDGOEN TOYOTA-THAILAND(right photo/left boxer) (previously fighting as Medgoen Singsurat, and then Medgoen 3K-Battery), 111, kept his WBC flyweight throne as he kept peppering Japan's MASAKI KAWABATA(left photo), 112, en route to a lopsided decision over 12 heats at Mahachai Villa.

Scored: Brad Vocale (Australia) 119-109, Bruce McTavish (New Zealand) 120-105, and Frank Marti (Switzerland) 118-110, all for the defending champ. Referee was Richie Davis (England).

Kawabata positively started fireworks in the opening session. But Medgoen solved his opponent's style in the second round, and piled up points steadily since.

In every round Kawabata attempted to attack first, but Medgoen retaliated with much more abundant combinations to the game but slower Japanese.

The champ had him at bay in the 9th and 10th rounds, but Kawabata refused to go down with his pride and determination.

Medgoen, who dethroned Filipino lefty Manny Pacquiao via third round KO last September, raised his unbeaten mark to 20-0, 12 KOs. Kawabata, 6 years his senior at 27, fell to 16-4-2, 8 KOs.

Promoter: Virat Vachirarattanawong's Diamond Promotions.
WBC supervisor: Mauricio Moreno (US).
Matchmakers: Panya Parachakorn and Joe Koizumi.
(2-25-00)

PS Medgoen changed his nom-de-guerre to Toyota-Thailand from this bout thanks to his new sponsor.

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