Two titles and rising talent galore as The Box hosts international fight night
Two Asian championships will be decided at the same time as fans will get a glimpse of the future as XBC Sportech stages its latest fight spectacular at The Box in the heart of Bangkok.
Already The Box is regarded as one of the finest boxing gyms in the Thai capital, and the brand has added to its reputation with critically acclaimed promotions such as Thailand Boxing Championship and its previous cooperation with XBC, Fist of Glory.
The template of competitive matchmaking, a blend of local and international talent, and a firm focus on grassroots boxing and future stars, has proved a hit – and there’s more to come on August 26.
Unbeaten Woraweth aims to upset serial conqueror of Thais
Once again emanating from the Ambassador Hotel – not only where The Box gym is based but also one of the city’s favourite fight sports event venues – the latest XBC spectacular will be headlined by the returning WBC Asia champion, Jon Jon Jet of Indonesia.
Jet has found Thailand to be a happy hunting ground, having fought and won there in his previous three appearances, including his super-bantamweight title-winning performance against former world champion Pygmy Kokietgym last October..
Now 13-1-1, and with his sights firmly set on a world title opportunity of his own, 29-year-old Jet faces a precocious challenge from local favourite Woraweth Nawanetiwong, who is just 18 and has so far compiled a spotless 5-0 record to mark himself out as one of Thailand’s hottest prospects.
Will the proven champion, a man in his athletic prime and the form of his life, retain his prestigious belt, or will the youth, enthusiasm and home support of the challenger swing it his way?
Contender who’s mixed in world class bids for belt of his own
It’s Indonesia vs Thailand for Asian glory in the chief support, too, as Ilham Loeisa puts the welterweight gold on the line against local contender Chan Sala.
The 25-year-old challenger has mixed it with world class company, such as Australia’s top 10-rated Steve Spark, and ventured into the lion’s den against unbeaten Japanese hope Yasuomi Soda, so will not be daunted in his attempts to unseat the WBC Asia champ here..
It was on the same October night that his countryman Jon Jon Jet won his belt that Loeisa added the same honours, at 147lbs, to the Indonesian national championship he already held. He stopped Poramin Saengpak in four impressive rounds, and makes his first defence of his continental crown here.
Chan, who has seven wins to his name, will be looking to put the lessons learned against Spark and Soda to title-winning use in front of his compatriots – but the 12-1-1 champion will be in no mood to surrender his spoils without a fight.
Loriga keeps busy, but risks it all…
Titles surely lie in the future of Italy’s Pietro Loriga, a lightweight previously signed by industry titan Top Rank prior to his relocation to Asia.
Loriga represents The Box, who had been angling for a WBC Asia shot for their charge on this night. That could not be organised in time, but the 12-1 fighter is promised such an opportunity should he win his six-rounder atop the Ambassador undercard.
The 30-year-old will fight ambitious Thai teenager Atipbodee Srikao, who comes to the ring as a former Thai national title challenger. Loriga will have to be on his guard against any banana skins as he awaits the biggest fight of his life.
Undercard: Coach Boss, unbeaten prospect and new stars debut
Another representative of The Box will see action, as none other than “Coach Boss” – Chaiyapruk Chainikhom – aims to lead by example. The tutor of both boxing and muay Thai will compete in his place of work as he meets Iran’s Younes Dehghanamirabadi over four rounds at super-lightweight.
Two new faces will make their professional debuts. Jeff Fenech-trained Aussie prodigy Jacob Clemshaw will face a stern test against Iranian Soleiman Abbasi, while Russia’s Yury Lyubchevskiy turns over against Kenji Okahasa of Japan, having impressed at Thailand Boxing Championship. Both newcomers will fight in four-rounders.
Rounding out the card, undefeated Aussie Kate McLaren takes on Thai Anchalee Mankong in a welterweight four-rounder, and Emanuel Nahak meets Pakphum Tawinram in a third Indonesia vs Thailand encouter, this one a six-rounder at featherweight.
Tickets will be available on the door for 1,000 baht, or can be reserved in advance with a 200-baht discount through , via Facebook, email, by calling +66 96 756 0010 (English) or +66 82 090 1704 (Thai), or from the venue, The Sportsman Bar and Pain Away Clinic.
MATCH CARD
Jon Jon Jet v Woraweth Nawanetiwong WBC Asian Continental super-bantamweight championship
Ilham Leoisa v Chan Sala WBC Asian Continental welterweight championship
Pietro Loriga v Atipbodee Srikao
Emanuel Nahak v Pakphum Tawinram
Kate McLaren v Anchalee Mankong
Chaiyapruk Chainkorn v Younes Dehghanamirabadi
Yury Lyubchevskiy v Kenji Okahasa
Jacob Clemshaw v Soleiman Abassi
NEWS AND FEATURES
Marupu wipes out Wisanu for two titles at Fist of Glory
Event page
The Box Thailand company page
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