Wanheng Menayothin Retains WBC 105 Belt in Thailand; Breaks Floyd's Record

By Carlos Costa

NAKHON SAWAN, Kingdom of Thailand — Menayothin outclasses Taduran in 12 fast paced rounds. Veteran Thai warrior Wangheng Menayothin (51-0, 18 KO’s) proved to be too experienced and too ring savvy for young Filipino challenger Pedro Taduran (12-2, 9 KO’s) to successfully retain for the 10th time his WBC Minimumweight world title; and effectively surpass the iconic 50-0 record of boxing’s mega star Floyd Mayweather Jr., today Wednesday (Aug 29) here in Nakhon Sawan, Kingdom of Thailand.

Throughout the twelve chapters, the 32 year-old Thai world champion made good use of his superior boxing skills, slick movements and effective combinations to land repeatedly over the brave Filipino fighter who had the will but not the resources to turn the tide in his favor.

Round after round Menayothin proved to be way superior to Taduran, especially during the four rounds the battle with some fans in attendance doubt weather Taduran would make it to the last bell. Yet indeed he did. Taduran walk the whole 12 yards, taking the best shots from Menayothin, proving what a tough nut, game combatant he is.

There were no cuts and no knockdowns, however, Taduran was deducted points in two different instances for low-blows, even though those punches below the belt were seemingly not intentional. Apparently, at the point of the deductions the strategy of Taduran was score on the mid-section of the world champion as the Filipino was being unable to land effectively on the elusive, smart Menayothin.

But the Filipino’s punches were landing below the permitted area. As a result, the experienced American Stephen Blea from the Rocky Mountain High State of Colorado had not choice but to deduct the points from the Filipino, two times, making it mathematically impossible for the brave Taduran to win the world title by points.

For fans in attendance and the ones watching live on the open air signal of Thailand’s BTV Channel 7, Menayothin displayed quality boxing, dominating and controlling the actions at all times. Even in the final round when he had his fight “in the pocket,” Menayothin never backed away from fire, he indeed engage the Filipino Taduran, who was till the last second never stop fighting.

At the end, all judges Humberto Olivares (nephew of Mexican ring legend Ruben “El Puas Olivares), Malcom Bulner of Melbourne, Australia, and the legendary Steve Morrow of California, USA, scored for the Thai WBC 105 world champion Wanheng Menayothin who is expected to make his 11th world title defense by the end of this year.

Taduran, on the losing side, climbed down the ring with tears in his eyes, feeling that his very best was not enough today in Thailand. Yet, Taduran lost a formidable, experienced veteran fighter. There is not reason to feel sad. He had learned much, no doubt. This battle has made him a more dangerous fighter; and at 21, Taduran has the whole world ahead of him.

Today’s boxing in Thailand was a production of Thailand’s prolific fighting outlet Diamond Boxing.

Photo by Carlos Costa

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama-born Fight reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. He attended this world title fight in Thailand. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp/Viber: +639184538152