THAILAND’S remarkable Wanheng Meenayothin, somehow still a strawweight world champion (WBC) at 33, keeps rolling along.
This Friday (May 31) on a Petpiya Fightevent in Chonburi, the man born Chayaphon Moonsri defends his world title for the 11th time against a previous victim, Japan’s Tatsuya Fukuhara. Meenayothin beat Fukuhara unanimously (118-110, 117-113, 116-112) in November 2017, also in Thailand. He has since made two more defences, and won a non-title six-rounder, to move to 52-0 and past – in quantity if not necessarily in quality – Rocky Marciano (49-0) and Floyd Mayweather (50-0).
Fukuhara, a 30-year-old southpaw, has notched two points victories since their first meeting and is now 21-6-6. Only seven of those wins came inside the limit and with Meenayothin boasting 18 early triumphs it’s clear these are not bangers, but rather skilled technicians with a sharp dig. Unless age and weight-making catch up with Meenayothin, the pick is for the Thai to retain on points, as before.
THE VERDICT Meenayothin can continue his incredible run.
