July 22, 2001
TOKYO, JAPAN-The investigation of the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) found that the boxer who fought in a bid for the OPBF 140-pound title under the name of Singthong Nonthachai in Hiroshima, Japan, on July 2 was actually another Thailander named Pichai Panita, Lumpinee Stadium’s #4 lightweight contender.
Therefore, the result should be corrected as Masakazu Satake’s 7th round KO win over Pichai Panita.
Reportedly, a Thai matchmaker who arranged this title bout was in a predicament to see Singthong weight more than 147 pounds and unable to reduce any more about two weeks before the OPBF title go in Japan. He urgently contacted Chitalada Gym in Bangkok to look for a substitute for him and asked Pichai Panita to go and fight on his behalf in Japan.
He should have honestly explained the situation to the JBC and/or the OPBF to ask for a special sanction of Pichai Panita being an authorized challenger, but made a wrong decision to make Panita fight as Sinthong to save the promotion in Japan.
After this fight was reported with pictures in Japanese magazines, some Japanese boxing people who had known Panita revealed this wrongdoing, so it became a notorious scandal. It was sensationally reported on a front page of some sports papers.
The JBC investigated this affair and confirmed that Singthong certainly didn’t come to Japan and it was Pichai Panita that fought Satake in Hiroshima.
Had it been held in Tokyo, it would have revealed much more earlier, hopefully, prior to the fight or at the fight. But, in such a local place as Hiroshima, no one doubted whether the Thai challenger might be a bogus boxer, because Panita was a very strong and tough opponent who sometimes shook up the defending champ Satake with solid combinations midway in the contest.
In light of this extravaganza, local commissions in Asia should establish the system to issue and exchange the Letter of Authority to certify boxers who fight abroad as themselves from now on in order to avoid such a bogus-boxer case.
Thai lightweight boxer
Belonging to Chitalada Gym
Passport name: Tongmee Deebuapa
Date of Birth: August 17, 1983
(This record supplied by Asian Boxing Council)
1999
Jan. 20 Saichon Por. Kamron Bangkok KO 1R
May 19 Singchainoi Sithsopha Bangkok TKO 2R
July 21 Petchmongkol Kiatmanopchai Bangkok KO 4R
Sept. 15 Ong-art Sukprakob Bangkok W 6R
Dec. 15 Lert-Ubon Sithsopha Bangkok TKO 2R
2000
Mar. 15 Yodnua Singhajaiyai Bangkok KO 4R
Apr. 19 Khampoon Aiersamphant Bangkok KO 6R
Jun. 21 Ong-art Nationman Bangkok W 6R
Sept. 20 Khongdee Meekunapaab Bangkok W 6R
Nov. 15 Pitichai Kiatpakpanang Bangkok KO 4R
Dec. 7 Rollie Kunir Jakarta L 10R
2001
May 17 Jolly L. Botto Jakarta L 10R
July 2 Masakazu Satake Hiroshima KO by 7 (for OPBF super-lightweight title)