MENAYOTHIN RETAINS WBC WORLD MINIMUMWEIGHT TITLE FOR 6TH TIME

WBC world minimumweight champion Wanheng Menayothin (left) with WBC Asia supervisor Kiate Sirigul.

CROWD-FAVORITE Wanheng Menayothin used his ring experience to beat Filipino challenger Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem via a unanimous decision to keep his WBC World minimumweight crown last January 25 in his hometown in Thailand.

It was the 6th title defense by Menayothin, who improved his record to 45 wins with 17 knockouts while Jerusalem only suffered his first loss after 11 straight wins with 7 knockouts.

Jerusalem was deducted one point for a low blow in the 8^th round.Jerusalem was the third Filipino challenger of Menayothin, who won the title via a 9th round retirement on then-champion Oswaldo Novoa on Nov. 16, 2014 in Chonburi, Thailand.

He won by a UD against Filipino Jeffrey Galero on February 5, 2015 in his first title defense held in Thailand. Menayothin then knocked out another Filipino challenger Jerry Tomogdan in the 9th round on June 2, 2015 in Bangkok in his second title defense.

The 31-year old Thai previously retained his title by a UD over Mexican Saul Juarez last August 2 in Chonburi.

Menayothin’s other challengers were Japan’s Go Odaira (5th round TKO) and South Korea’s Young Gil Bae (9th round TKO). He last fought and won by points against Silem Serang last Dec. 12 in Thailand.