Indonesian Featherweight Chris John (47-0-2, 22) not only has the longest active unbeaten record at 49 fights, but he is also one of the longest reigning world champions having held the various forms of the WBA Featherweight title since 2003. This weekend however John seeks to take the unbeaten record of another unbeaten fighter as he faces Thai Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (44-0, 27). Yes you are reading this right, the combined records of these two men reads 91-0-2 (49) and tomorrow morning, they will fight for John's "Super" WBA Featherweight title.
Most fight fans around the world will know something about Chris John. You don't hold various forms of the WBA title for 9 years with out boxing fans knowing who you are, likewise you don't go 49 fights unbeaten with out people reading about you. Though of course despite those stats most haven't really seen much of John, other than perhaps his 2 fights in the US against Rocky Juarez.
A reason for so few fight fans to have actually seen John is due to the fact he's a legendary fight in Indonesia where his is paid very nicely. His payments in Indonesia as the main event are significantly better than what he generally gets paid for fighting away from home, hence his lack of fights in Europe or the US. In fact in a career spanning all the way back to 1998 John has only fought 8 times out of his homeland, 3 times in Japan, twice in Australia, once in Singapore and the two aforementioned bouts with Juarez in the US. However tomorrows fight will see John fighting in Singapore for the second successive fight, again with a huge payment expected.
In terms of his record John is a bit of a strange one. He's been unbeaten since 1998 yet has only faced a number of well regarded opponents. Whilst Juan Manuel Marquez is obviously the stand out name on John's record (who John beat in 2006), John also holds wins over Oscar Leon, Derrick Gainer, Rocky Juarez and fellow Indonesian Daud Cino Yordan (who also fights on the same card).
At his best John was a hugely talented fighter who could move, box, and whilst he couldn't really bang, he knew what to do to stay out of trouble using his legs and long accurate shots thrown in combinations. He had quick hands, he was tough (though knew how to stay out of too much danger) and quick feet. However at 33 years old John is no longer the fighter he once was and the fact he struggled with Stanyslav Merdov just a year ago, despite dropping Merdov, shows signs that John is a fighter who is feeling the effects of a long career. Not only is long in terms of years (14) or fights (49) but also rounds (395). The problem with not being a hard puncher, especially at world level is that 12 rounds take their toll on your body and with John having stopped only 3 of his last 17 opponents, he has run up a lot of miles on the clock.
Whilst John is well known through out the boxing world for various things, it's fair to say that Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo is much less well known, however many view him as having a genuine chance at scoring the upset. The 27 year old Thai turned professional in 2003 and swiftly claimed the WBC Asian Boxing Council Featherweight title, a title he defended well over 20 times!
Although Piriyapino has a long unbeaten record, like John, it's hard to find too many recognisable names on his record however the most recognisable is former world champion Yoddamrong Sithyodthong, however Sithyodthong wasn't the fighter he had once been. Other than that, his record is padded with journeyman, like Jack Asis and Jaime Barcelona which make it almost impossible to really say how good he is.
Like fellow Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo has a genuinely tough look to him. Whilst their styles are different, they are similar and Piriyapinyo does seem like the sort of fighter who will force an opponent to work hard (like Sor Singyu, who appears to have a better defense). If Piriyapinyo can force the fight to John he really could take advantage of the champions age and wear and tear, however the fact he is slow on his feet does give John a chance to stay away and box.
If John isn't up for this and cannot roll back the clock I really do see the upset. Piriyapinyo will not only be looking to retain his unbeaten record, but will be looking to score by far the biggest win of his career, a win that will really allow him to make some serious money and a chance to show his talent around the world. Whilst John is the favourite, I personally will be going for the upset here.
Prediction: Piriyapinyo UD 12
No comments:
Post a Comment