FILIPINO ERIC PANZA LOSES TO 16 YEAR OLD TAI 'DYNAMITE KID' SITHSAITHONG IN BATTLE FOR VACANT IBF PAN PACIFIC BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 28 Mar 2016
23 year old Filipino Eric Panza has lost to 16 year old unbeaten Thai fighter ?Dynamite Kid? Saenganan Sithsaithong who captured the vacant IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight title in what boxing writer and official Ray Wheatley described as twelve exciting rounds in Pabon, Thailand.
Saenganan Sithsaithong improved his record to 16-0 with 7 knockouts while Panza dropped to 9-7 with 2 knockouts. All three judges scored the fight for the Thai fighter with two judges giving him the nod 115-113 while the third judge had the Thai the winner by a 116-113 margin.
Sithsaithong controlled the fight in the early rounds as he connected consistently with effective jabs. In round six, both boxers went toe-to-toe landing solid combinations that visibly had both boxers on unsteady legs.
Panza boxed aggressively in round seven, eight and nine scoring with accurate hooks to the head and body of Sithsaithong. In an action-packed windup in round twelve both Sithsaithong and Panza traded bombs until the final bell leaving the fans cheering.
Jimmy Chaichotchuang, leading IBF promoter in Asia said, ?Sithsaithong is only sixteen years of age and has become the youngest professional boxing champion in Thailand. Sithsaithong is also a former WBC Asia Light Flyweight and Continental Bantamweight title holder. Sithsaithong is very proud to become IBF champion and now has the Golden belt. I hope Sithsaithong will become the youngest world champion in the boxing history.?
The youngest world champion to date was 17-year-old Wilfredo Benitez, who captured the WBA world 140 pound championship by defeating Antonio Cervantes in 1976.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025