By Carlos Costa

In a non-stop action 12-rounder, unbeaten WBA Minimumweight World Champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong of Thailand retained his world crown after scoring a unanimous decision victory over tough  Filipino challenger Rey "Hitman" Loreto today in Chonburi, Kingdom of Thailand.   Official tallies were 117-110 (twice), 115-113. 

It was blow-by-blow war in which the stronger Niyomtrong dished out a higher volume of blows over the brave former IBO world champion Loreto who was dropped down and counted during the battle, although he got up to continue the relentless fight till the end of the actions. 

Several times during the war, Niyomstong employed dirty tactics over Loreto, for which third man Rafael Ramos issued warnings.  However no points were deducted.

At the end of the fast and furious close encounter  -   in which both fighter showed in their faces evidence of the intensity, Niyomtrong with his left eye totally shut  -  referee Ramos raised the right hand of the Thai world champion Niyomtrong (16-0, 7 KO's) who completed successfully another title defense, this one was a mandatory one.

The live action was broadcast live on open TV on BBTV Channel 7 through the Kingdom of Thailand.