Srisaket among stars in ‘hot’ super-flyweight
WBC super-flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai hopes to fight in September, but as of yet no details have been confirmed. Top-level boxing matches usually require months of delicate negotiations, but at least the Thai star doesn’t have to worry about finding a decent opponent as the super-flyweight division is packed with talent.
Last weekend, the pack thinned a bit with a de facto semi-final tournament at the weight, as well as the successful move up to bantamweight of Naoya Inoue, the monstrous Japanese fighter previously seen as the biggest threat to Srisaket’s position as the king of the 115lb class.
On Saturday night, two of Srisaket’s leading super-fly rivals staked their claims with impressive victories in a double-header in Fresno, California.
First, Britain’s Khalid Yafai scored an impressive, four-knockdown demolition job on Mexican challenger David Carmona to retain his WBA title. Next up, globetrotting IBF ruler Jerwin Ancajas whipped his Filipino countryman Jonas Sultan over 12 rounds.
Ancajas has built a sterling international brand by scoring dominant wins in five different countries in his past six bouts, whereas Yafai could not have asked for more in his US debut.
The tentative plan now is for Ancajas and Yafai to face each other in September, but with no deal officially in place, either man could instead make for an attractive unification match with WBC holder Srisaket.
Ancajas is the more proven of the two, being five defences deep into his reign, and Thailand v the Philippines is one of boxing’s classic rivalries.
Yafai, on the other hand, arguably stole the show from Ancajas with a display of aggression and power that left more sadistic viewers giddy at the thought of him trading bombs with the similarly attack-minded Srisaket.
One night earlier, Inoue left the superflyweight division and added a bantamweight belt — his third championship — in frightening fashion, demolishing WBA champion Jamie McDonnell in just 112 seconds.
Inoue’s move up in weight will have the world’s super-flies breathing a sigh of relief, but if Srisaket wishes to pursue a title in a higher division, there are a few better matches to be made in all of boxing than between these two.
The one fight Srisaket craves more than any other, though, is against Carlos Cuadras — the last man to beat him.
Cuadras is coming off two consecutive defeats, but his win over the incumbent division leader means he is still a marketable opponent for Srisaket.
There are yet more options.
Juan Carlos Estrada, who pushed Srisaket to a close decision in February, covets a rematch and did enough to warrant one.
American ex-champ Rau’shee Warren dropped down to super-fly after losing a bantamweight belt and boasts a TVfriendly style.
He would be a natural choice if Srisaket wants to stage another raid on the United States.
Rex Tso of Hong Kong would be an underdog against Srisaket, but could generate a massive audience — and payday — if the fight is marketed to the mainland China audience.
Or what about an all-Thai showdown with Nawaphon Por Chokchai, last seen smashing another decorated compatriot in Amnat Ruenroeng?
The little men of boxing are finally getting their due as some of the most exciting and marketable, and super-flyweight is one of the sport’s hottest divisions.
With Thailand’s own Srisaket at the front of this class, we have some very exciting times ahead.