Dec. 28, 1997
SONGKHLA, THAILAND--Elongated South African ZOLANI LEPETELO, 105,
captured the IBF mini-flyweight title as he displayed effective rallies with
precision and dropped the defending champ RATANAPOL DUTHCBOY GYM, 105,
to score an upset TKO victory in the 4th round.
It was an encounter of southpaws. The Thai champ had the uppeer hand in the first two rounds, as he scored solid lefts to the face and midsection of the taller opponent. Lepetelo concentrated on moving away from Ratanapol's opening attacks and occasionally retaliating with long jabs and straight lefts. The South African found his range with accurate counters in the 3rd, though Ratanapol kept going forward with his aggressiveness. Lepetelo, in the 4th, positively threw sharp punches and mixed up with the more powerful champ. The South African caught the shorter champ with crisp combinations and had him reeling to the ropes. Ratanapol attempted to fight back with his back to the ropes, but he absorbed much punishment by Lepetelo's incessant rallies. Ratanapol lost his balance and looked like sitting down on lower ropes. Referee Billy Miles, Australia, issued a mandatory 8 count and was about to make them resume fighting. But the champ was hurt so badly that he fell down again. The ref then declared a halt to award a victory to the unheralded IBF #10 ranked contender. Lepetelo raised his mark to 23-3-1. Ratanapol fell to 34-3-1, 27 KOs.
It was Ratanapol's 7th defense in his second reign after he regained the IBF title on a 12-round decision over Jun Arlos in May, 1996. In his first reign, the Thailander registered 12 defenses before he lost his title on the scale prior to his 13th defense against Lee Castillo on Mar. 16, 1996. Ratanapol, in a non-title bout, beat Castillo by a 11th round TKO then. It was a matter of time that Ratanapol, who was often reported to have a severe weight problem, would lose due to the effect of his severe weight reduction.
Reportedly Col. Banchu, promoter/manager of Ratanapol, had executed a 5-year promotional agreement wuith Don King to look forward to a unification bout with Ricardo Lopez, but it came to naught. Ratanapol will attempt to fight again in this 105-pound division in order to regain the IBF title from Lepetelo.
On the undercard, WBA #12 junior bantam contender RATANACHAI DUTCHBOY GYM, Ratanapol's brother, scored a 3rd round KO of Fililino JUDY CAEBON (though I translate this boxer's name into English, but couldn't find in the GAB or PBF ratings of the Philippines). Ratanachai is 30-3, 22 KOs.
Somsak Singchachawan, 10-0-0-1NC, 8 KOs, TKO'd Maringi Boui, South Africa, in 5.
(12-27-97)
Dec. 28, 1997
SAKON NAKHON, THAILAND--Fahprakob Rakkiat Gym kept his WBF bantam title
for the 7th time by stopping South African Vuyani Moss in the 6th
round. Fahprakob, reportedly 25-2, 16 KOs, dropped Moss with a solid
left hook in the 4th, and finished him with a strong uppercut to the
solar plexus.
Fasan 3K Battery, 19-6, 7 KOs, KO'd Yutikinko Hestoque in 4.
Famai Sakkririn, 9-3, 1 KO, outpointed Filipino Rosario Rabia (Quinito, over 10.
Linrom Por Tawatchai KO'd Filipino Eddy Florida in 4.
Jan. 21, 1998
BANGKOK--Ex-WBA bantam champ Veerapol Nakonruan Promotion (previously
fighting as Veerapol Sahaprom) knocked out Filipino Joel Avila in the
5th to raise his mark to 15-1, 11 KOs.
Surachai Nakornthron-Parkview, WBC #14 straw contender, outscored Filipino Jerry Pahayahay over 10. WBC #12 super-fly Pone Nakornthorn-Parkview (previously fighting as Pone Saengmorakot) was also a points winner over ex-WBU junior bantam champ Swatchai Nakonruan Promotion over 10. The winner is 12-0, 4 KOs. Surachai fell to 19-3, 9 KOs.
Jan. 18
PHET BURI--Chamokpet Chorchamuang, Thailand, retained the PABA feather
title as he sank Jeffrey Onate, Philippines, with a solid straight left
to the midsection in the 7th. Chamokpet, making his 3rd defense, is
8-0, 4 KOs.
1997
UNLESS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED, ALL OF FOLLOWING BOUTS TOOK PLACE IN
BANGKOK.
Dec. 24
Wihok Jockygym, 13-21, 6 KOs, scored an upset decision over Thai jr.
feather champ Wichit Chuwatana in a non-title 10.
Dec. 23
WBC #28 straw Asawin Orathaigym KO'd Samutnoi Sithnarupon in 1.
Dec. 21
Songkram Porpaoin, WBA #6 minimum, was awarded a controversial 5th-round
technical decision over Randy Mangubat, the defending champ, to win the
PABA 105-pound title.
WBA #2 ranked Lakhin CP Gym, 22-0-2, 16 KOs, KO'd Filipino Joven Jorda in 4. Ex-OPBF fly champ Chokechai 3K Battery, 35-3, 16 KOs, stopped Putpaad Sithchula in 2. TBC #1 minifly Chartchai Nakornthorn-Parkview, 8-0, 4 KOs, TKO'd Prabpram Klongpachon in 7.
Dec. 17
WBC world light fly champ Saman Sorjaturong engaged in a non-title go
and stopped Ernesto Rubillar in 6. This victory raised Saman's mark to
37-2-1, 30 KOs.
Dowmai Sithkodom, WBC #5 ranked lightie, outpointed Filipino Ric Ramirez
over 10.
WBC #24 bantam Rungsurin Lookklongchan TKO'd Saenartit Wor Sutira in 2.
Dec. 12
PABA flyweight champ Denkaosaen Kaowitch kept his regional title by outscoring Indonesian Yani Malhondo over 12 to raise his log to 4-0.
Deodon Praramkaoplaza stopped Mongorian Erdene Chuluun in 4.
Kaoran Kaowichit outscored Japanese Yasuto Sekiyama over 6.
(I checked this Japanese boxer, but he is not registered by the JBC. I
suppose that he may be a kick-boxer).