NAGOYA, JAPAN-The WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Singwangcha, Thailand, failed to make the class limit at his first trip to the scale, weighing at 112.75. But the 23-year-old champ, making his first defense, desperately reduced 3/4 pound in 30 minutes and tipped the beam at 112. Japanese challenger Hayato Asai, 16-2, 12 KOs, scaled in at 112 at his first attempt.
Pongsaklek, 40-2, 23 KOs, stunned the world by dropping previously unbeaten southpaw Malcolm Tunacao three times en route to a first round stoppage to win the WBC fly crown in Thailand last March. Asai, also 23, entered the WBC’s top ten thanks to his upset decision over Mexican Gabriel Mira last year.
Pongsaklek, who showed a fine form in a public workout, is a prefight favorite, but Asai’s power and heart may be a factor to give him a puncher’s chance.
The WBC officials are as follows: referee Bruce McTavish (New Zealand), judges Herbert Minn (US), Barbara Perez (US) and David Chung (Korea). The WBC supervisor is Bobby Lee of Hwaii.
This card is promoted by Toshiro Matsuo’s Midori Promotions to be telecast live here and in Thailand.
(7-14-01)