November 12, 1997
SAPPORO, JAPAN--Tsukisamu Green Dome--Fast-punching Thailander CHATCHAI DUTCHBOYGYM, 112, captured the WBC flyweight title as he displayed faster and more accurate punches to win a unanimous decision over the defending champ YURI ARBACHAKOV, a Japanese-based Russian, 112, over 12 nearly lopsided rounds before some 4,500 spectators. Yuri's reign for 5 years and 5 months was over in a rematch with Chatchai,the current WBC interim champ, whom Yuri had outscored on a close but unanimous verdict in Sept., 1995. Yuri's 14-month inactivity simply accounted for this upset defeat, as he suffered a right hand fracture in his 9th defense with Takato Toguchi (TKO9) in Aug. of the previous year. Yuri didn't show his usual speed, power and zip at all. Chatchai, 27, started well with fast one-two combinations and swept the first 4 rounds with ease. The 4th saw Chatchai staggering him with a well-timed left hook and battering him with a barrage of punches. Yuri, 31, came back hard in the 5th and mixed up in the close range, scoring solid uppercuts to the belly. The Russian attempted to apply the same strategy in the 6th, but Chatchai fought back with sharp and effective left-right combos to pin the champ to the ropes in the last minute of the round. Chatchai was also in command in the 7th and 8th, as he kept more aggressive and accurate in punching the defensive champ. Yuri might take the 9th, as Chatchai was cautious only in this session. Chatchai, former Olympian in 1988, dominated the last 3 rounds without doubt. He showed very sharp jabs to Yuri's face and had the champ repeatedly missing with long right hands in the 10th. Aware of being behind on points as he was, Yuri was obliged to be defensive due to Chatchai's constant pressure on him with busy left-right combos to the face and the belly in the 11th and 12th. Scores--Dick Young (US) 117-111, Tamotsu Tomihara (US) 116-113, and Jo Jo Guerra (Mexico) 119-111, all for the totally aggressive Thailander. Chatchai, 31-1, 23 KOs, had acquired the WBC interim title during Yuri's long inactivity by outscoring Isaias Zamudio this May, and kept it once by stopping Argentine Juan Domingo Cordoba after the 7th last Aug. Yuri, 30-1, 23 KOs, didn't look what he used to be. He remained too cautious and negative, and missed his punches on too many occasions. Yuri repented of his less satisfactory performance, saying, "I was ring rusty, and couldn't find a proper range. I wish to consider whether I will continue fighting or not for a month. I wish to take a rest now." The jubilant new champ said, "I became confident of my victory from the 5th round on. Yuri wasn't as strong as 2 years before."
Referee: Carlos Padilla (Philippines).
Promoter: Kyoei Promotions.
WBC supervisor: Eduardo Velasco (Philippines).
(11-12-97)
Chatchai was previously fighting under the names of Chatchai Sasakul, and later Chatchai Elite-Gym. Thai boxers often change his nom-de-guerres upon new managements or new sponsors. Chatchai fought in the light flyweight class of the Olympic Games in Seoul, 1988, and lost in the quarter-final. He also had a experience of fighting more than 100 Muay-thai (Thai national kick-boxing) bouts. Since he turned professional in Aug., 1991, he has lost just once to Yuri in his first world title shot in Tokyo on Sept. 25, 1995. Chatchai is an excellent boxer-puncher with good hand speed and cleverness, though he lack a convincing power in a single shot.
DICK YOUNG(US)
| - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
| YURI | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 111 |
| CHATCHAI | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 117 |
TAMOTSU TOMIHARA(US)
| - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
| YURI | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 113 |
| CHATCHAI | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 116 |
JO JO GUERRA(MEXICO)
| - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
| YURI | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 111 |
| CHATCHAI | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 119 |