Lerasan KOs Panyakum to grab title

By Lito delos Reyes

Southpaw Adrian “Wild Beast” Lerasan of Antipolo City scored a 7th round knockout against Phongsaphon Panyakum of Thailand to grab the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council Super flyweight title last February 26 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Panyakum was first knockdown by Lerasan with a hook uppercut in the 2nd round. In the 7th canto, Lerasan again connected an uppercut for the second knockdown.

Lerasan finally hurt it again Panyakum’s jaw with an uppercut in the same round.

“I’m really happy. Next week, my coach and I will start practice again,” said Lerasan.

Lerasan will later go home on March 19 to Manila together with his trainer Richard Garcia, who is now currently training a Turkey.

“Hard, tired and happy. I have no fight yet. I’m just getting ready in case there will be a fight,” said Lerasan.

Lerasan improved his record to 11 wins with four knockouts against four losses while Panyakum suffered his only second defeat against 12 wins.

Lerasan has won three times already in Thailand since 2020. He first scored a technical knockout over Thailand’s Tanes Ongiunta for the vacant World Boxing Association Asia Super flyweight title last March 1, 2020 at Suamlum Night Bazaar in Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok.

Lerasan then came back to Bangkok last year to knock out Suradech Ruhasiri in the 5th round for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council Continental super flyweight title.

But it was not that easy the second time around. The fight was postponed twice due to the pandemic. Lerasan was alone in Thailand without his coach Garcia, who was left in the Philippines because he was found positive of COVID-19.

Lerasan was lucky to find a Thai coach-trainer Supanat Chanram from the Highland Boxing Gym Thailand, who took over his temporary task.