By Carlos Costa
NAKHON SAWAN, Kingdom of Thailand -- The world champion who has equaled Floyd Mayweather's 50-0 record is aiming at surpassing it tomorrow here in his native Thailand.
WBC minimumweight world champion Wanheng Menayothin (Chayaphon Moonsri) makes the 10th defense of his green and golden belt against the fast-and-furious fists of 21 year-old Filipino challenger Pedro "Rattle Snake" Taduran (12-1, 9 KO's) tomorrow Wednesday (Aug 29) here in Nakhon Sawan, Kingdom of Thailand; with both fighters passing with flying colors their medical checkups and ** weight during today's official WBC weigh-in ceremony.
The experienced Wanheng scaled-in at the limit of the limit of the division, 105 pounds, while this taller, younger challenger Taduran came-in a bit lighter at 103.8 lbs; the two warriors looking focused and in excellent physical shape at the Maihom Resort Hotel 2 here in Nakhon Sawan, 250 Km north of the Thai capital, Bangkok.
The WBC officials, who were present at the weigh-in are: referee Stephen Blea of Colorado USA; with judges Humberto Olivares of Mexico, Malcom Bulner of Australia and Steve Morrow of California USA. The fight co-supervisors for the WBC are Frank Hadley of Australia and Surapote Phongjiavanich of Thailand.
The approved gloves during the rules meeting are pairs of brand new 8-ounce Twins brand gloves; both fighters wearing the same color of gloves: blue with yellow gloves.
Wanheng, 32, in person a quiet, rather shy and polite man with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bangkokthonburi University, does not think much about world records.
"I don't think much about that at all. I rather focus on the tough fighter who will come-in throwing punches at me," commented Wanheng, who has been managed during his whole fighting career by Diamond Boxing, one most prolific and well-established boxing outfits in the Kingdom.
The southpaw challenger Pedro Taduran, meanwhile, is managed by Hardstone Boxing Promotions, the boxing company of top Filipino matchmaker Art Monis.
Will the effective and ring savvy Wanheng Menayothin dominate and outclass the still untested WBC # 14 Pedro Taduran, as widely expected by boxing observers?
Or will the young, shy kid Pedro Taduran score the most surprising win of 2018 by dethroning one of the most durable reigning WBC champs...changing his life forever?
The Wanheng Menayothin vs Pedro Taduran world title rumble will be aired on open TV live here in the Kingdom of Thailand on BTV Channel 7, the telecast starting at 1:45 PM Thailand Time. The BTV signal is easily available in various internet links.
The fight is produced by Diamond boxing of the legendary promoter Virat Vachirarattanawong and his hands-on operating officer Piyarat Vachirarattanawong.
The author Carlos Costa is BoxingScene.com fight reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. He will attend the Wangheng Menayothin vs Pedro Taduran WBC 105 World Title Fight in Thailand. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and Viber/Whatsapp: +639184538152
2023-10-21 16:32:31
