LORETO WANTS TO DUPLICATE FEATS OF PACQUIAO, TAPALES IN THAILAND

Former WBC world flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul (right) and ex-IBO world light flyweight king Rey “Hitman” Loreto. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)

BANGKOK (July 13) – Former world champion Rey “Hitman” Loreto wants to duplicate the victories made by fellow Filipino boxers Manny Pacquiao and Marlon Tapales, who both won their world title fights against their Thai rivals in Thailand.
Pacquiao dethroned Chatchai Sasakul of his WBC world flyweight title via an 8th round knockout on December 4, 1988 at the Tonguk College grounds in Phuttamonthon while Tapales survived an early knockdown to knockout defending champion Pungluang Sor Singyu in the 11th round to take his WBO world bantamweight title last July 17, 2016 in Ayutthaya City.
“Nais ko rin gawin din yun mga ginawa nila Pacquiao at Tapales na kinuha nila ang titulo sa kalaban nilang Thai ditto mismo sa lugar nila,” (I also want to do what Pacquiao and Tapales did when they took away the titles of their opponents here in their place) said the 26-year old Loreto.
Loreto also met Sasakul at the Sasakul Muay Thai Gym last Wednesday during his open workout for the media in Bangkok.
Loreto, a former International Boxing Organization (IBO) world light flyweight champion will be challenging undisputed World Boxing Association (WBA) world minimumweight title holder Thammanoon Niyomtrong, also known as Knockout CP Freshmart on July 15 at 4 p.m. at the Chonburi City Hall.
The official weigh-in will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the venue according to promoter Piyarat Vatchirarattanawong of Petpiya Fight Promotions.
Piyarat said that the odds are even for both fighters even though the defending champion is still unbeaten with 13 wins and six knockouts.
Loreto, who is the WBA No. 1 contender, is toting 22 wins with 14 knockouts against 13 defeats.
“I think the odds are even for them because they are both good boxers,” said Piyarat.
Loreto, however, has not fought in the 105 lbs. for more than five years now. He last fought as a minimumweight in 2011 when he stopped Dodoy Alapormina by a 3rd round technical knockout in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Loreto then saw action 11 times in the two higher divisions – flyweight and light flyweight.