November 21, 2003
TOKYO, JAPAN-Kokusai Promotions announced in a press conference at TV Tokyo that WBC flyweight champ Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Kratindaeng-Gym (49-2, 27 KOs), Thailand, would defend his belt against Masaki gTrashh Nakanuma (23-4, 10 KOs), Japan, at Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama, on January 3.
The TV Tokyo will show a triple world title bout in a New Year program consisting of one from Yokohama and two from Osaka, where Masamori Tokuyama will defend his WBC 115-pound title against top ranked Dimitri Kirilov and WBA 115-pound champ Alexander Munoz will put his belt against Japanese southpaw Eiji Kojima at Osaka Central Gymnasium.
The 26-year-old lefty Pongsaklek, making his ninth defense, lately kept his throne by a unanimous decision over Hussein Hussein, Australia, this November 14. Nakanuma, a flamboyant swinger at 28, recently lost a couple of highly debatable decisions to both world-rated Takefumi Sakata and Noriyuki Komatsu in the national and OPBF title bouts, respectively, after 21 consecutive wins. He is more popular than his conquerors due to his aggressive style.
The WBC #15 ranked Nakanuma confidently said, gI will dethrone Pongsaklek, as the stronger my opponent is, the more powerful Ifll be.h The excellent Thai southpaw has been unbeaten these seven years. It will be a good fight of the hard-punchers.
(11-21-03)