March 2, 2001
PICHIT, THAILAND-Unbeaten Thailander Pongsaklek Wonjongkam amazingly dethroned WBC flyweight champ Malcolm Tunacao, a Filipino southpaw, dropping him three times en route to a quick stoppage in the first round.
Pongsaklek started fireworks positively, and floored the taller champ with a solid right when Tunacao was moving out of ropes. The Filipino regained his feet, but was sent to the deck again as the Thailander landed a left-right combo to the face. Pongsaklek went all out for a kill, and finally dropped him for the third time in the opening canto.
Tunacao upset Medgeon Singsurat via TKO route in Thailand and kept it once by a split draw with Celes Kobayashi in Japan. For Malcolm, it was his second defense in which he tasted his first defeat, dropping to 11-1-1, 8 KOs. Pongsaklek reportedly raised his fine credentials to 41-0, 20 KOs (this record of the new champ to be checked later).
(3-2-01)