Another one bites dust
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 09 Mar 2018
Toto Landero became the fourth Filipino challenger to lose in a world title fight this year after failing to dethrone WBA minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong who retained his crown on a unanimous 12-round verdict in Chonburi, Thailand, last Tuesday. Landero, 22, followed in the footsteps of Mercito Gesta, Brian Viloria and Ernesto Saulong who all lost decisions in world title bids since the turn of the year.
There was no question Niyomtrong, also known as Knockout CP Freshmart, deserved the win. Landero, the WBA?s No. 12 contender, had a brief moment of success when he stunned Niyomtrong with a counter left hook in the fourth round but otherwise, it was a dominant performance by the Thai. The three neutral judges----Takeshi Shimakawa of Japan, Octavio Rodriguez of Panama and Ferlin Marsh of New Zealand----submitted scores of 119-110, 115-113 and 117-111. Referee was Texas? Rafael Ramos who worked IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas? recent knockout win over Mexico?s Israel Gonzalez in Corpus Christi and Niyomtrong?s previous fight, a decision over Filipino Rey Loreto last July.
It was the unbeaten Niyomtrong?s fourth defense of the title. The Thai raised his record to 17-0, with 7 KOs while Landero?s card dipped to 10-2-2, with 2 KOs. Despite the lopsided win, Niyomtrong?s trainer Chatchai Sasakul castigated the Thai for looking rusty and sloppy. Sasakul was disappointed at Niyomtrong?s lack of aggressiveness in going for a knockout. Sasakul was the same Thai Olympian whom Manny Pacquiao flattened in the eighth round to wrest the WBC flyweight crown in Phuttamonthon, Thailand, in 1998.
?Ang bagal ni Landero sa laban,? said international referee Ver Abainza. ?Sayang ang pagkakataon to fight for a world title which is rare. Maybe, nanibago si Landero kasi it was his first fight abroad. Hindi lumabas ang galing niya.? Abainza, who has worked fights involving Niyomtrong and Landero, said the Filipino could?ve won if only he brought his A-game into the ring.
?Ang tawag kay Niyomtrong sa Thailand ?Little Pacquiao,?? said Abainza. ?Sabi ko kay Landero before the fight, paspasan niya kaagad kasi slow starter yung Thai at huwag siya magpapa-corner. Walang depensa si Niyomtrong kaya madaling tamaan. But kulang sa suntok si Landero, kagaya ng nangyari kay Saulong noong natalo siya ni Ryosuke Iwasa sa Japan last week.?
Abainza said Niyomtrong isn?t as skilled as Vic Saludar whom Landero beat on a split decision last year. ?Asintado si Saludar at tinalo siya ni Landero kaya hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa kaniya sa Thailand,? said Abainza. Before facing Saludar, Abainza watched Landero spar with WBA No. 5 lightflyweight Jonathan Taconing at the Elorde gym in Sucat and was impressed. ?Ang galing ni Landero sa sparring,? he said. ?I knew someday, he would fight for a world title.?
With Landero blowing his chance, Abainza said there are three other Filipinos in the WBA top 15 105-pound ratings----No. 6 Loreto, No. 10 Pedro Taduran and No. 14 Robert Paradero----in line for a title crack. He said Taduran, the reigning Philippine champion, is the most promising contender with a 12-1 record, including 9 KOs. Taduran?s only loss was a split six-round decision to Joey Lino in M?lang in 2016. Paradero has a 16-0 record, with 11 KOs. Both Taduran and Paradero are 21. Loreto, 27, is a former IBO lightflyweight titlist with a 24-14 record, including 16 KOs. He lost to Niyomtrong on points last year.
Toto Landero (R) in action against Vic Saludar (L) in this file photo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
By Eric Armit, Wed, 03 Dec 2025WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Dec 2025A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai
Wed, 03 Dec 2025OKC Thunder is NBA 2025-2026 Strongest Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Who was Clever Sison?
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 03 Dec 2025MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026
Wed, 03 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video
Wed, 03 Dec 2025Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Two Pacquiaos on same card?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026
Tue, 02 Dec 2025USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA
Tue, 02 Dec 2025