November 8, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-Newly crowned WBC 130-pound champ Sirimongkol Singwancha, Thailand, will defend his belt against ex-WBA ruler Yongsoo Choi, Korea, at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, on January 13.
The 25-year-old Thailander, 39-1, 23 KOs, stunned the Japanese crowd when he dismantled Kengo Nagashima in just two rounds to acquire the vacant WBC super-feather title here last August.
Choi, 30, previously held the WBC 130-pound throne for three years and kept it seven times prior to his forfeiture of the title to Takanori Hatakeyama on points in 1997. Once retired, the Korean, 29-3-1, 19 KOs, was traded to a Japanese Cheyenne Hasegawa Gym, which dare to decide to promote Choi’s ambitious shot at the WBC belt. Choi, a persistent body puncher, has registered five wins straight within the distance.
It is a rare encounter of foreign boxers to be staged here in Japan.
(11-8-02)