Weights from Thailand: Huu Toan Le, Jake Amparo Make Weight for WBA Asia Battle; Zulueta, Torres, Tuazon Ready for Action

By Carlos Costa

BANGKOK, Thailand  —  On weight and ready for action.   Skilled 25-year-old Filipino challenger Jake Amparo (11-3-1, 2 KO’s), the young boxer fresh from his outstanding win last month in South Africa, weighed-in at 47.4 kilos (104.9 pounds), while world-ranked Vietnamese WBA Asia champion Huu Toan Le (5-0, 3 KO’s) stepped on the scale at 47.2 kgs (104.8lbs) ahead of their hot battle Wednesday, November 30, at the plush SpacePlus Night Club, RCA Plaza, in Bangkok, Kinddom of Thailand. 

Ranked # 9 in the world by the WBA, Huu Toan Le, is the defending WBA Asia Champion, Amparo wanting both, his world ranking and belt, could he get them?   Tomorrow they will fight for that.   Who will emerge victorious?

Won Kim of the Republic of Korea is supervising the crucial 12-round clash promoted by award-winning Filipino promoter Brico Santig, managing director of Highland Boxing Promotions in association with Supanat Chanram and with SpacePlus Bangkok.

The exciting show at the cozy Space Plus will be live streamed for fans outside of Thailand on Facebook and YouTube, starting the telecast at 15:00 hours local Thai Time UTC +7  (3 pm in Vietnam, 4 pm in the Philippines, 3 pm in Indonesia).    The broadcast will be in Thai Language.

In the co-feature, unbeaten 27-year-old John Michael “Striker” Zulueta (14-0-2, 7 KO’s), the WBA # 14 world-ranked warrior from Bacolod, aiming at a record-tying 4th consecutive KO win in Thailand, came-in at 49 kilos (108 lbs) as he defends his ABF 108-pound belt from the furious fists of young, strong and tall Thai challenger Suriya Kraimanee, who made 49 kilos as well.  

Suriya looked strong and fit, flexing his muscles during weigh-in, displaying his 6-pack.   Zulueta looking confident and in fantastic shape as well

The skirmish is an important 10-rounder collision with Zulueta’s world-rank, ABF belt, and undefeated status on the line.

Also, tough and focused “The Terminator” Ador Torres (5-4-1, 2 KO’s) of the beautiful Bungto san Santa Magdalena in Bicol’s Sorsogon Province, recorded 68.34 kilos (150.7 lbs) as he clashes hard against veteran battle-tested fighter, former Muay Thai combatant Phairin Sukmuang in a grueling 8-round action-rumble in the super welterweight division.   Phairi weighed 69 kgs (152.1 lbs).    

The 27-year-old southpaw Terminator Torres climbs to swinging hard, just like the cyborg he is, wanting to score another brutal stoppage victory in The Land of Smiles.

In addition, 17-year-old Filipino rookie Arvin Jhon Paciones (2-0, 1 KO), made 49.7 kilos (109.57 lbs) for his more-than-tough 8-chapter collision against 18-year-old glory-hungry Vichith Oat (5-1, 2 KO’s) of Cambodia.    Vichith made 49.95 kilos (110.12lbs).  

The young and shy Arvin Jhon is based in awesome Vietnam, the neighboring Nation where his dad Rhicks Paciones is a well-known, respected boxing coach.   

That explains why Arvin Jhon has already fought two battles in the Land of legendary revolutionary leader Hồ Chí Minh, winning both fights.

Another Pinoy at war successfully making weight, was Filipino-American “The Fighting Doc” JV Tuazon, shooting for another victory.    Born in Manila, now living in New Jersey, JV wages war against strong Thai battler Kitsanai Aeksatjawatee in a 4-round struggle. 

JV Tuazon made 58.7 kilos (129.4 lbs), while Kitsanai come-in a bit heavier at 60.36 kilos (133.7lbs).

COACHES:  On fight night, Filipino veteran coach former world champion Joemarie Gamboa of Cebu will be on the corner of Pinoys Torres, Tuazon, and Zulueta.   

Bohol Trainer Niñolito Jalnaitz and Regie Suganob will take care of their gwapo teammate warrior Jake Amparo.  

Cebuano coach “Do Dong” Rhicks Paciones of Vietnam’s Saigon Sports Club will assist his own tall, promising boxer son Arvin Jhon Paciones.

MORE BOXING ACTION IN THAILAND:

Five more international fights complete the exciting Highland Boxing Promotions show, including the return to action of popular Dutch-Thai super welterweight former Asian titlist Nick Frese (10-1, 8 KO’s), trading bombs against fearsome undefeated Afghanistan warrior Ahmad Samir Dawrani  (8-0-1, 5 KO’s).    

Nick and Ahmad will collide in eight rounds of leather in super middleweights.   Nick 68.94 kilos.  Ahmad 69.64.

Moreover, the Highland show includes undefeated 27-year-old Pakistan135-pounder Muhammad Shoaib in a 10-frame battle against much-experienced Hendrik “The Raid” Barongsay of Blitar, Indonesia, for the vacant ABF Lightweight World strap.  

Muhammad 61.29 kilos.   Hendrik 61.4.

In addition, unbeaten, hard-hitting, 24-year-old Hong Dat Vo (3-0, 3 KO’s), from Tây Ninh in southeastern Vietnam (near the Cambodian border), collides against heavily-tattooed Thai veteran Vachayan Khamon, the boxer former Muay Thai combatant featured in the small role of “Tiger,” in the award-winning boxing movie “A Prayer Before Dawn.”

Hong and Khamon were identical in weight at 61.6 kilos.

In women’s action, cute Taiwan-born Hong Kong fight lady Sheau Ru Yang (1-0 1 KO), squares off taller Thai action girl Chadaphet Radchanavee in a six-round rumble in the flyweight division.

Yang came in at 51.20 kilos.  Chadaphet was lighter at 50.59 

In welterweights, 25-year-old Asad Ullah (2-2) from the City of Quetta in northern Pakistan climbs the hot Highland ring to fight 28-year-old Thai combatant Jakkapan Sopathip (1-2) in a 6-frame skirmish.  

Asad, who weighed-in at 66.65 kilos is trained by Islamabad heavyweight boxer/bareknuckle fighter Taimoor Khan (6-0, 5 KO’s).  Meanwhile, Jakkapan stepped on the scale at 64.51 kgs.

In addition to pro boxing, the event will also feature seven MMA MASFIGHT battles: a fantastic, entertaining evening of boxing and MMA, combat sports, all in one place.

The cool 10-bout show is a production of award-winning Filipino promoter Brico Santig of the Highland Boxing Team, in association with Thailand promoter/matchmaker Supanat Chanram, promoter/matchmaker Sasan Ghosairi, SpacePlus CEO Tony Chen, and Twin Gloves.

May the Best Men and Woman Win!

Photos by Carlos Costa

The author veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama will be at ringside in Bangkok.  Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and Whatsapp +639184538152.

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