ASIABOX PROMOTIONS: ASIA'S RISING PROMOTIONAL OUTFIT
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Dec 2008
Philboxing.com was fortunate to have covered last week an event put up by Asiabox Promotions in Koh Phanga, Surat Thani, Thailand. The fight venue is some twelve hours from Bangkok, but organizers made sure it was an experience worth going.
Australia's Daniel Potter, the man at the helm of Asiabox Promotions, put up a superb show near the island's port, free to the public, both foreign and the locals.
Topbilling the show was of course, Asiabox's main fighter Saddam Kietyongyuth, the undefeated lightweight who might as well have earned his ticket to an American stint following an impressive win over former Manny Pacquiao foe Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov.
Just like Pacquiao, Saddam stopped the Kazahstan fighter in the fifth round, scoring knockdowns in the fourth and fifth round before the referee stepped in to stop the beating.
The difference, however, was that unlike Pacquiao, who was downed by Yeshmagambetov prior to halting him, Saddam took some shots himself, but was never in danger of going down despite pressing the action all throughout.
Of course, the legendary Pacquiao has moved on to become a very improved fighter after that, but Saddam can now cherish the fact that he too can improve and emulate Pacquiao's path to greatness.
With the win, Saddam's record now improves to 17-0, 13 KO's and he is now looking forward to meeting ex-OPBF champ Randy Suico sometime March in Manila.
A day after Saddam's big win, Suico lost his regional title in Japan via split decision, but a bout between these two punchers will certainly provide fireworks in a card being planned by American promoter Bob Arum at the famed Araneta Coliseum.
Saddam and his promoter Daniel Potter have been chasing a fight with Suico in the last several months to see who is the best lightweight in the region, with no positive result. With Suico's loss, a fight between them now seems possible.
Saddam doesn't really have to fight Suico at this time, but it seems the guy is bent on proving a point. As he prepares for a possible stint in the United States, Saddam wants to clean up Asia first.
On the same show, another Asiabox fighter, ex-WBA champ Yodsanan Nanthachai demolished an Iranian opponent in four. Yodsanan, who can still bang with the best, is hoping to get another crack at the world title in 2009. He sees action again sometime in February in hopes of keeping himself active.
As for Asiabox Promotions, it certainly looks like a breath of fresh air for Thailand boxing, who for years has been lorded over by promoters whose only interest is sponsorship money.
Top photo: Promoter Daniel Potter of Asiabox Promotions watches as his ward Saddam engaged in a war with Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov.
The crowd who came in to watch the boxing event at Koh Phanga island in Thailand.
--All photos by Salven Lagumbay
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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