Thrilling Filipino Adrian Lerasan Stops Nattapong, Becomes The New WBA Asian 115 Champion in Thailand
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Aug 2022
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Exciting Filipino slugger Adrian Lerasan put on one of the most thrilling performances that any Pinoy fighter has ever done in Thailand by ravaging in nine fast-paced frames unbeaten world-ranked Thai champ Nattapong Jankaew (10-1, 6 KO’s), over the weekend here in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.
With the spectacular win, the strong 23-year-old southpaw from Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, dethroned Nattapong, grabbing from him the coveted WBA Asia Super Flyweight Title, as well as his place in the world-rankings in the 115-pound division.
From the get-go, the aggressive Adrian Lerasan - who is also a WBC Asian titlist - stalked Nattapong, coming at him, swinging and landing on him with damaging straight lefts and uppercuts, reducing the Thai's stamina and endurance while compromising his ability to retaliate.
In doing that, Adrian's favorite weapon was the double right jab followed by thunderous lefts to the body or head, with Left hooks were fantastically sharp and vicious as well.
In addition, Lerasan’s left overhead solidly connected on Nattapong's temple several times, visibly affecting the Thai warrior.
Nattapong tried to back away from Adrian Lerasan's relentless pursuit, but to no avail as the Filipino kept focus on his mission cutting the ring superbly.
By the sixth, the Filipino’s superiority was even more evident, his output spiking in quantity and intensity.
Despite absorbing that heavy artillery, Nattapong proved to be a fighter of heart and strength.
Even taking hellacious punches, he attempted to gain some ground, although that battlefield was not easy at all.
A major turn of events unfolded during the action of frame eight when Adrian Lerasan impacted Nattapong with a perfect punch to the Thai's mid-section, dropping him down.
Going through hell with his right knee on the blue canvas, the world-ranked Thai listened to the count of veteran WBA referee Pinit Prayadsab, bravely making it on his feet, going on to complete the eight round.
But a major damage has been done, and chapter nine was the one destined to be the last.
Once that fateful bell sounded, Adrian Lerasan did not miss a second in coming-in at Nattapong with a another vicious attack in the middle of the ring for which the hugely troubled and unsteady Thai had no answer, prompting Pinit Prayadsab to stop the uneven war, sparing his fellow Thai of unnecessary Blows.
The exciting win was the fourth consecutive KO victory for Adrian Laresan in Thailand over a tough Thai opponent, for which boxing fans here in Asia are now calling him "The Thai Destroyer."
Clearly, Adrian Lerasan proved that he is an intense fan-friendly fighter of world-class caliber, worthy of a world title challenge.
The title fight was promoted by Thai outfit TanTelecom Promotions with matchmaking of Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Promotions, live in Thailand on primetime PPTV Channel 36.
Supervisor for WBA Asia was Won Kim of the Republic of Korea.
Photos by Luis Garrido-Julve and Carlos Costa.
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran boxing reporter. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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