December 6, 2001
PATTAYA, THAILAND-Crisp-punching Thai lefty Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Kratingdaeng-Gym (43-2, 25 KOs), 112, very easily kept his WBC flyweight belt as he pressed the action from the start, floored Argentine Luis Lazarte (19-5-1, 7 KOs), 108.5, with a short but stunning left and was awarded a TKO win with the loserfs corner tossing in the towel at 2:43 of the second round.
The fight itself was shorter than the Argentine national anthem, longest one of the world. Pongsaklek, making his third defense, maintained the pressure from the beginning as he positively threw plenty of right-left combinations to the much shorter opponent.
The second witnessed the Thai champ land a well-timed short left, dropping him on the deck. At the flash knockdown, Lazartefs cornerman surprisingly threw in the towel to terminate it too quickly and too disappointingly.
This title bout took place at Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in commemoration of the 39th WBC Convention, but the too quick surrender gave the impression of indigestion to some 350 delegates from all over the world.
Pongsaklek captured the WBC 112-pound throne by upsetting Filipino southpaw Malcolm Tunacao in the opening canto last March, dismantled Japanese Hayato Asai in July, and defeated top-ranked Alex Baba, Ghana, via 8th round technical decision on October 26. Pongsaklek made it with his shortest interval of just 41 days since.
Scored after the first round: Dick Flaherty (US), Thabo Spampool (South Africa) and Jeffrey Belton (New Zealand), all 10-9 for the champ. Referee was David Chung (Korea).
Promoter: Diamond Promotions.
(12-06-01)