UNBEATEN MATSALI VS. EX-LUZPROBA CHAMP BERWELA FOR VACANT WBC ABC BANTAM TITLE

By LITO DELOS REYES

UNDEFEATED former IBF Pan Pacific champion Thiranan Matsali of Thailand will face ex-LuzProba super bantamweight title holder Edison “Kamatis” Berwela of the Philippines for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council bantamweight title on January 19 in Pathum Thani.
It is promoted by Surachart Phisitvuthinun of Nakornluang Boxing Promotion and supervised by Thanapol Bhakdibhumi.
Matsali, also known as Saenganan Sithsaithong is also a former WBC Asian Boxing Council Silver bantamweight title holder. He won it via a UD over Waldo Sabu last August 4 in Samut Prakan.
Matsali previously won by a UD against Worraphon Jesadjindawat in their 6-rounder bout last November 10 at the Central Plaza in Rama 2, Bangkok. He won the vacant IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight title by a UD against Eric Panza in 2016.
Matsali had earlier captured the vacant WBC Asia Boxing Council Continental light flyweight crown by a UD over Wilber Andogan in 2014. He successfully defended it via a 4th round TKO against Indonesian John Mandeo on that same year.
Matsali then pocketed the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental bantamweight title by a UD over Filipino Danilo Gabisay in 2015.
Berwela (15W-37L-8D, 4 KOs), on the other hand, lost his last fight by a unanimous decision against reigning PABA super bantamweight champion Anurak Thisa last August 31 at the Bangkok University, Thonburi Campus in Bangkok.
The 34-year old Berwela of Muntinlupa City last won via a first round technical knockout against Dunry Marcos last April 22 in Bacoor.
He also fought but lost against PABA super flyweight champion Sutep Wangmuk by a unanimous decision in 2011 in Bangkok.
Berwela went back to Thailand in 2013 only to be stopped by a 6th round
TKO by PABA bantamweight champion Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat in Bang Yai.
Berwela then lost in two separate championship fights. He dropped a unanimous decision to fellow Filipino Joe Noynay in their battle for the WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council Super Bantamweight crown at the SM MOA in Pasay on June 5, 2105.
Berwela then lost also by a UD to Eranio Semillano in their WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council bantamweight title eliminator on Dec 13, 2015 in Paranaque City.