The first world title fight this week is in Thailand as WBC Super
Flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (22-3-1, 20) makes the first
defense of a title he won in stunning fashion earlier this year.
Srisaket,
who was all but an unknown in April of this year burst on to the scene
in a big way back in May when he didn't just beat Yota Sato but totally
destroyed him and sending him in to retirement courtesy of a destructive
8th round TKO. Unlike many champions however Srisaket hasn't just sat
waiting for a challenger but has instead piled up a trio of none title
victories keeping the ring rust off and his bank balance looking
moderately healthy in the process.
For his first defense Srisaket
will be facing Japanese southpaw Hirofumi Mukai (9-2-1, 1), a man who
promised much when he first turned professional back in 2009 though has
failed to deliver with losses to Rocky Fuentes and Mark Anthony Geraldo
two solid but unspectacular fighters.
Mukai is a pure boxer. He's
talented for sure and holds a very notable victory over Sonny Boy Jaro
though in all honesty that's his most notable victory and came before
his loss to Fuentes and technical draw with Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.
Unfortunately
since beating Jaro it's been hard to be impressed by what Mukai has
actually achieved. He has gone 4-2-1 since then with his most notable
victory following Jaro being a decision over Saenmuangloei Kokietgym.
If
we call Mukai a boxer then we need to call Srisaket a bulldozer. The
guy is as strong as an ox and when he gets in the ring he is nothing
short of destructive with every punch thrown with bad intentions.
Against a fighter like Mukai, who was stopped just 2 fights ago, this
power is simply going to be too much to handle.
Mukai may last
longer here than he did with Geraldo but it's hard to view this as
anything more than an easy and quick first defense for a champion who
may be very, very hard to dethrone, as long as he can make the weight
comfortably enough.
Prediction-Srisaket TKO 4
Showing posts with label WBC Super Flyweight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WBC Super Flyweight. Show all posts
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Yota Sato v Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
The first world title fight of the week see's WBC Super Flyweight champion Yota Sato (26-2-1, 12) attempting to make his 3rd title defense as he travels to Thailand in a possibly historic bout against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (18-3-1, 17).
In the history of the sport no native Japanese fighter has ever successfully defended a world title with a victory in Thailand. For Sato this is something that needs to be changed and with the way he won the title back in March 2012 shows that he has the ability to make history.
Back in March of last year Sato put on an incredible performance to claim the WBC title when he out pointed the highly regarded Suriyan Sor Rungvisai over 12 rounds, dropping Suriyan twice on route to the victory. Since then he has defended the title twice defeating both Sylvester Lopez and Ryo Akaho by clear decision.
Aged 29 Sato is a fighter who physically in his prime and a fighter who will not be wanting to lose his title despite going to Thailand where Japanese fighters have an awful record.
From footage Sato has shown himself to be very talented with a good understanding of the ring, fast hands, nice shot selection a genuine toughness and although he's not a huge a huge puncher he's a very clean puncher who lands hurtful shots as opposed to concussive shots. From a distance Sato is an intelligent fighter though he can also mix it up in close with a high work rate and an unexpected toughness.
At 26 years old Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is less experienced than the Japanese champion though his record is nothing short of eye opening, despite losing 3 of his first 5 professional bouts (including a debut loss to current WBC Flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi). Since a 10 round decision loss to Kenji Oba back in February 2010 Srisaket has been on an excellent run of 17 straight wins with 16 coming by way of T/KO.
Whilst Srisaket has been on an excellent run in terms of victories he has been fighting low level opponents with his most notable victories coming against Alvin Bais and Dondon Jimenea (who was the only man not to be stopped during the rug, losing a technical decision when Srisaket was cut). What his results will be like against an experienced opponent could be very different, especially when one considers that Sato has proven to be a tough nut himself.
Whilst Sato certainly has the skills, competition and experience edge it's fair to say that Srisaket's key advantage is the fact he's fighting at home. As mentioned already no Japanese champion has ever won in a title defense in Thailand. This sort of historical challenge lies on the shoulders of Sato and that sort of pressure can be enough to drown a fighters hopes.
If the bout was in Japan I'd assume it'd be an easy win for Sato but with it being in Thailand and being fought in the middle of the day in an outdoor arena it could be a very hard fight for Sato. I think, as long as Sato has prepared properly he should be able to defend his belt, if he's not prepared there is every chance he'll be upset here.
Prediction-Sato by TKO9
In the history of the sport no native Japanese fighter has ever successfully defended a world title with a victory in Thailand. For Sato this is something that needs to be changed and with the way he won the title back in March 2012 shows that he has the ability to make history.
Back in March of last year Sato put on an incredible performance to claim the WBC title when he out pointed the highly regarded Suriyan Sor Rungvisai over 12 rounds, dropping Suriyan twice on route to the victory. Since then he has defended the title twice defeating both Sylvester Lopez and Ryo Akaho by clear decision.
Aged 29 Sato is a fighter who physically in his prime and a fighter who will not be wanting to lose his title despite going to Thailand where Japanese fighters have an awful record.
From footage Sato has shown himself to be very talented with a good understanding of the ring, fast hands, nice shot selection a genuine toughness and although he's not a huge a huge puncher he's a very clean puncher who lands hurtful shots as opposed to concussive shots. From a distance Sato is an intelligent fighter though he can also mix it up in close with a high work rate and an unexpected toughness.
At 26 years old Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is less experienced than the Japanese champion though his record is nothing short of eye opening, despite losing 3 of his first 5 professional bouts (including a debut loss to current WBC Flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi). Since a 10 round decision loss to Kenji Oba back in February 2010 Srisaket has been on an excellent run of 17 straight wins with 16 coming by way of T/KO.
Whilst Srisaket has been on an excellent run in terms of victories he has been fighting low level opponents with his most notable victories coming against Alvin Bais and Dondon Jimenea (who was the only man not to be stopped during the rug, losing a technical decision when Srisaket was cut). What his results will be like against an experienced opponent could be very different, especially when one considers that Sato has proven to be a tough nut himself.
Whilst Sato certainly has the skills, competition and experience edge it's fair to say that Srisaket's key advantage is the fact he's fighting at home. As mentioned already no Japanese champion has ever won in a title defense in Thailand. This sort of historical challenge lies on the shoulders of Sato and that sort of pressure can be enough to drown a fighters hopes.
If the bout was in Japan I'd assume it'd be an easy win for Sato but with it being in Thailand and being fought in the middle of the day in an outdoor arena it could be a very hard fight for Sato. I think, as long as Sato has prepared properly he should be able to defend his belt, if he's not prepared there is every chance he'll be upset here.
Prediction-Sato by TKO9
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Yota Sato v Ryo Akaho
All the eyes of the boxing world will
be pointing towards Japan this New Years Eve with the country hosting
5 world title fights. Of those fights we have just a solitary all
Japanese fight as WBC Super Flyweight champion Yota Sato (25-2-1, 12)
attempt to make the second defense of his title as he faces
countryman Ryo Akaho (19-0-2, 12).
Sato emerged as one of the top Japanese fighters back in 2010 when he stopped Go Onaga for the interim Japanese Super Flyweight title, a title that would later be upgraded to the full version of the belt. As the Japanese Super Flyweight champion Sato was impressive defeating the likes of Kohei Kono (who faces Tepparith Kokietgym on the same card) and the previously unbeaten Kenji Oba. He moved in to the world elite earlier this year as he defeated highly regarded Thai Suriyan Sor Rungvisai for the WBC title, dropping Rungvisai twice.
Since winning the world title Sato has defended it once out pointing the under-rated Filipino Sylvester Lopez though will now need to show his skill to end a year on a high against the very talented Akaho (who I will get on to in a minute). In terms of ability Sato is perhaps “the best fighter you've never seen” with excellent boxing, great speed and under-rated power (just ask Suriyan). The biggest issue is perhaps his inexperience over 12 rounds, a distance he has only done twice in his 28 fight career.
As well his ability Sato will be very confident having been unbeaten since 2005 with both of his losses coming in his first 7 professional contests (and they were both razor thin losses to more experienced fighters). Also, interestingly, the 28 year old is tall for a Super Flyweight at 5'7” and arguably he is in his physical prime. It's fair to say that whilst he may not have a punchers record he's grown into his power and knows how to use his size wonderfully well.
Whilst Sato is regarded by hardcore fans as one of the elite at Super Flyweight Ryo Akaho is much lesser known despite also being unbeaten since 2005 (the year in which he debuted). Akaho, sadly, lacks the notable names (such as Kono, Suriyan and Lopez) on his record however he has been fighting at national and continental title level for a few himself having drawn in a Japanese title fight back in 2009.
Despite failing to claim a title in his first title fight, Akaho has since gone on to claim the OPBF Super Flyweight title, a title that he has defended 4 times, with the most recent of those defense coming against super prospect Yohei Tobe (who was forced in to the fight a few bouts too early). Sadly for Akaho his best opponent was Daigo Nakahiro, the fight he drew with in his failed attempt at the Japanese Super Flyweight title (interestingly Nakahiro was beaten in his very next fight by Sato).
For Akaho this is a great chance and he will, like Sato, go in to this fight with a lot of confidence sadly however his limited competition worries me somewhat, especially having seen how good Sato is. I think that the level of the fighters will be obvious here and Sato will take a wide decision in a thoroughly engaging fight. Akaho will try hard but Sato's speed and jab will keep him out of range for long portions of the bout. At just 26 years old however I imagine that Akaho will come again.
Prediction-Sato UD12
Sato emerged as one of the top Japanese fighters back in 2010 when he stopped Go Onaga for the interim Japanese Super Flyweight title, a title that would later be upgraded to the full version of the belt. As the Japanese Super Flyweight champion Sato was impressive defeating the likes of Kohei Kono (who faces Tepparith Kokietgym on the same card) and the previously unbeaten Kenji Oba. He moved in to the world elite earlier this year as he defeated highly regarded Thai Suriyan Sor Rungvisai for the WBC title, dropping Rungvisai twice.
Since winning the world title Sato has defended it once out pointing the under-rated Filipino Sylvester Lopez though will now need to show his skill to end a year on a high against the very talented Akaho (who I will get on to in a minute). In terms of ability Sato is perhaps “the best fighter you've never seen” with excellent boxing, great speed and under-rated power (just ask Suriyan). The biggest issue is perhaps his inexperience over 12 rounds, a distance he has only done twice in his 28 fight career.
As well his ability Sato will be very confident having been unbeaten since 2005 with both of his losses coming in his first 7 professional contests (and they were both razor thin losses to more experienced fighters). Also, interestingly, the 28 year old is tall for a Super Flyweight at 5'7” and arguably he is in his physical prime. It's fair to say that whilst he may not have a punchers record he's grown into his power and knows how to use his size wonderfully well.
Whilst Sato is regarded by hardcore fans as one of the elite at Super Flyweight Ryo Akaho is much lesser known despite also being unbeaten since 2005 (the year in which he debuted). Akaho, sadly, lacks the notable names (such as Kono, Suriyan and Lopez) on his record however he has been fighting at national and continental title level for a few himself having drawn in a Japanese title fight back in 2009.
Despite failing to claim a title in his first title fight, Akaho has since gone on to claim the OPBF Super Flyweight title, a title that he has defended 4 times, with the most recent of those defense coming against super prospect Yohei Tobe (who was forced in to the fight a few bouts too early). Sadly for Akaho his best opponent was Daigo Nakahiro, the fight he drew with in his failed attempt at the Japanese Super Flyweight title (interestingly Nakahiro was beaten in his very next fight by Sato).
For Akaho this is a great chance and he will, like Sato, go in to this fight with a lot of confidence sadly however his limited competition worries me somewhat, especially having seen how good Sato is. I think that the level of the fighters will be obvious here and Sato will take a wide decision in a thoroughly engaging fight. Akaho will try hard but Sato's speed and jab will keep him out of range for long portions of the bout. At just 26 years old however I imagine that Akaho will come again.
Prediction-Sato UD12
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