CHAYAPHOL MOONSRI, known as Wanheng Menayothin or Wanheng Kaiyanghadaogym, is now 53-0 – just.
The WBC minimumweight champion retained his title on Friday (May 31) with an eight-round technical decision win over Japanese challenger Tatsuya Fukuhara to take his record to 53-0 – that’s three wins more than Floyd Mayweather – but was badly cut in the process.
The fight at the City Hall, Chachoengsao, Thailand was stopped because of a gash Wanheng suffered above his right eyebrow, which bled profusely and prevented him from continuing. The doctor then intervened and called the fight off.
The 33-year-old was always comfortable in the fight, however, and picked up a unanimous decision, the judges’ scorecards reading: 79-73, 78-74 and 78-74. Fukuhara, game but outclassed, has now twice lost to Wanheng, and he too finished Friday’s fight with a cut below his left eyebrow.
“I tried not to counterpunch with him as he is taller,” Wanheng said. “From the last time we fought, he came up with a new game plan. After what happened, I’m glad I still won.”
The knock against Wanheng is that all 53 of his wins have been at home. Post-fight, he said he would like to fight overseas, while his promoter, Virat Vachirarattanawong, said they have never been invited to fight overseas.
Unfortunately, the marketability of a minimumweight is indeed minimal but, in the case of Wanheng, one hopes his incredible unbeaten streak will allow him to receive the kind of shine and attention his peers never experience.
BN at 5 dealt with the whole Amir Khan going to Saudi Arabia to make a lot of money news yesterday.
Today, though, we have confirmation and quotes and an indication that Khan might not be just settling for the one fight in Saudi Arabia.
His first assignment is to teach a lesson to India’s Neeraj Goyat in a Super Boxing League exhibition bout in Jeddah on July 12, but, beyond that, there’s a chance he could fight Vijender Singh, another Indian boxer and someone who is far more familiar to British boxing fans.
When asked if he would fight Singh, Khan said he would be happy to box him if the opportunity arises.
“I have always expressed my desire and tried to fight against Vijender but I think he is scared of me,” Amir, 32, said during the announcement of his bout against Goyat at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“It was time an Indian boxer fought against a world champion and I am glad Goyat has accepted the offer. What Vijender couldn’t do, Goyat will be doing.”
Goyat, the WBC Asia welterweight titleholder, for whatever that’s worth, has a record of 11-2-2 (2), and once had a couple of mixed martial arts bouts. He should be the easiest opponent Khan has faced since turning pro after in 2005, but that’s not to say the two-time world champion will be taking him lightly.
“I will start training for the bout in the UK. I need to be 100 per cent ready for the fight. I have everything to lose and Goyat has everything to win,” he said.
Goyat, for his part, said: “I always wanted to fight Amir, but my condition was that he has to fight in my welterweight category. He is a true fighter as he accepted my offer.”
A true fighter: yes. A true fight: no. Not really.