By Carlos Costa

In an intense fight, Thailand slugger Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (19-3-1, 18 KO's) became the new WBC Super Flyweight world champion by knocking out Japanese beltholder Yota Sato (26-3-1, 12 KO's) on Friday (May 3) at Stadium Khonmuangsri in the northeastern city of Si Sa Ket, Kingdom of Thailand.

From the start of actions, the aggressive Srisaket harassed the taller Japanese boxer, who tried to respond by using his jab and speedy boxing in an attempt to confuse the stalking Thai challenger, but Srisaket at no moment slowed down the mortifying pressure.

The dramatic end came in the eight stanza. Srisaket viciously hammered Yota Sato with power shots hurting the retrieving Japanese fighter while forcing experienced Italian referee Guido Cavalleri to halt the onslaught by waving the technical knockout call at the 1:23 minute mark.

"What a fight! It was a war between two fighters of honor. Sato did not wanted to lose. Each round was toe-to-toe action till Srisaket overpowered Sato in the eighth," commented young promoter Pisitwuttinan Thainchai who at age 24 successfully ccompleted his world championship bout.

It was a thrilling victory for the 26-year-old new WBC world champ Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

For the dethroned Yota Sato, it will be a sad trip back to Japan. It was the first time in his life that the skilled Sato got punished so severely.

With Srisaket Sor Rungvisai’s triumph, the Kingdom of Thailand - a world power in muay thai combat - returns to having a world champion in boxing.

UNDERCARDS RESULTS

In an interesting non-title bantamweight clash, unheralded Filipino Jilo Merlin (13-16-2, 2 KO’s) of Agusan del Sur lost by points to world-ranked former WBC world champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai (26-5-1, 10 KO’s) of Thailand.

Also, 21-year-old Thai Nawaphon Por Chokchai prescribed an effective knockout to Filipino journeyman Rodel Tejares (20-27-4, 5 KO’s) of Bukidnon. Time was 1:13 of the second round.

In a clash between Thais, WBC world-ranked bantamweight Yodchanchai Nakornloung (20-3, 16 KO’s) scored a unanimous decision win over underdog Yodpichai Sithsaithong (9-11, 3 KO’s)