Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Retains WBC Flyweight Tltle, Faces Mexican Edgar Sosa Next (With Photos)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 Jul 2011
HAT YAI, Thailand -- In an excellent match from start to finish, WBC flyweight world champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand, retained his title by winning a twelve round unanimous decision over a brave Japanese challenger Takuya Kogawa in Hatyai, Thailand.
It was a heated battle in which the more experienced Pongsaklek earned sufficient merits to claim victory.
The official scores were: Judge Stephen Blea of Colorado, 118-110, Judge Jae-bon Kim of Korea, 116-112, and Franz Marti, a Swiss resident in Thailand, voted 117-111.
After this victory, the Thailander world champion Pongsaklek (81-3-1, 44 KOs) will face Mexico's Edgar Sosa. The 31-year-old Edgar Sosa (43-6, 26 KO's) is a former long-time reigning WBC junior flyweight champion who knocked out Julio Paz (12-1, 4 KOs), last Saturday in San Luis Potos?, Mexico.
The younger Kogawa was undoubtedly the faster fighter in the ring and had the better technique when he fought at a distance.
But the veteran 2-time flyweight world champion from Thailand worked better with counters, capitalizing on the mistakes of his younger rival and properly placing his left hooks, which pounded the warrior from the land of the rising sun.
Yet, the Japanese challenger Takuya Kogawa (17-2, 10 KO's) never stopped throwing his hands, but never with the power and propulsion required to hurt to the veteran champion of the world.
In contrast, Kogawa was put in several predicaments, especially when Wonjongkam threw very strong combinations, which sent the Japanese boxer to the ropes where he continued feeling more leather.
Even with all the crossfire, neither of the two gladiators fell to the canvas. The Japanese challenger came close, but he took everything that Wonjongkam threw.
Both fighters were cut an inch above their right eyes, products of unintentional head butts. Therefore, experienced referee Dr. Lou Moret of Los Angeles, California, didn't take away any points.
Ultimately, the 33-year-old Wonjongkam was the more effective fighter. And he showed better management with the artillery in his tank and his technique impressed the panel of neutral judges appointed by the WBC.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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