Wanheng Menayothin Defends Again Against Tatsuya Fukuhara on March 29 🥊 Filipino 105-Pounders Eye On

By Carlos Costa

The battle will be March 29 👍 Undefeated WBC 105 lbs. World Champion ชยพล มูลศรี Wanheng Menayothin (52-0, 18 KO’s) of Mahasarakam in northeastern Thailand, makes the 11th defense of his green & golden belt against WBC # 6 challenger Tatsuya Fukuhara (21-6-6, 7 KO’s) of Japan, on Friday March 29 in the amazing land of combat and Muay Thai, the Kingdom of Thailand.

The two men already fought back in November of 2017 in Thailand with the skilled Menayothin outboxing the taller Japanese challenger to retain his world title in a well-deserved unanimous decision win

Once again, the superior Wanheng Menayothin (also known as Chayaphon Moonsri), is heavily favorite to dominate the determined Fukuhara; although in boxing anything is possible.  That’s why fans have to wait and see.

Wanheng vs Fukuhara 2 – produced by promoter Piyarat Wachirarattanawong of Diamond Boxing – will be aired live in Kingdom on Thai channel CH7.  

FILIPINO 105-POUNDERS EYE ON, WHY IS THAT?

Wanheng vs Fukuhara 2, taking center stage March 29 in Thailand, is interesting to minimumweight fighters and hardcore boxing fans in the Philippines because a good number of Pinoy fighters could eventually climb the ring to battle the winner.

One with possibilities of doing that is Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem (14-2, 8 KO’s) of Cebu’s ALA Boxing Stable.

Highly ranked as # 2 by the WBC, Jerusalem might want to target a second world title shot against Wanheng Menayothin.  They fought two years ago.   It was a close clash that the 33 year-old Thai won by points, and a rematch is not impossible.

However, a second clash against the skilled Menayothin is not Jerusalem’s only path because “Gringo” is also rated by the WBO (where the belt-holder is his fellow Filipino Vic Saludar), as well as by the IBF where the world titlist is brand new champ Deejay Kriel (15-1-1, 7 KO’s) of South Africa.     

A melee of Melvin Jerusalem against Deejay Kriel should be telling and competitive match.

Also among the top-fifteen WBC 105-pounders is Albay-native “The Rattle Snake” Pedro Taduran (13-2, 10 KO’s). 

Guided by Hardstone Monis Boxing Stable, “Rattle Snake” Taduran, 22, already collided against Wanheng Menayothin last August, taking the more-experienced Thai champion to a blow-by-blow war for the whole twelve chapters.

I traveled to hot Nakhon Sawan in northern Thailand to attend the Wangheng Menayothin vs Pedro Taduran world title fight rumble; and I had a great time as the fight was exciting battle.    Taduran did not disappoint.   That is why a rematch might one day happen.

In fact, it is due to Taduran’s good presentation against the unbeaten Thai world champion that “The Rattle Snake” still stays currently rated as WBC # 9.

In addition, former world title challenger Davaoeño Mark Anthony Barriga (9-1, 1 KO), a tactician boxer who has been guided by Survival Camp coach Joven Jimenez, is WBC # 13. “Baby Boy” is also ranked by the IBF and the WBA with chances of a second world title shot.

More promising Filipino minimumweight fighters making waves in the division, include Cagayan de Oro boy Marco John Rementizo (9-3, 6 KO’s), Jonathan Refugio (20-6-5, 6 KO’s of Bukidnon, Negros fighter Toto Landero (10-4-2, 2 KO’s), hard-hitting young Gensan warrior Vince Paras (13-2, 11 KO’s) veteran Boholano Lito “Naruto” Dante (15-10-4, 7 KO’s) and unbeaten Bukidnon-native Robert Inggo Paradero (17-0, 11 KO’s).

But that is not all. 

Additional encouraging 105-pounders are Zamboangueño Rene Mark Cuarto (16-1-1, 9 KO’s), tough Negros warrior John Michael Zulueta (9-0-2, 3 KO’s), hard-swinging Mindanao prince Samuel Salva (16-0, 10 KO’s), dangerous Leyteño Ganoza Cris (17-2, 8 KO’s) and undefeated 19 year-old Ariston Aton (7-0, 4 KO’s) from the Queen City of the South, Cebu ☀️

Who of them one day will become minimumweight champion of the world?

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama fight reporter living in Cebu. Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp 09184538152.

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