By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Arman de la Cruz is the new IBF Pan Pacific light flyweight champion having won the vacant title with a stunning 1st round knockout over Thai veteran Samransak Singmanassak in a fight card in Singburi which is 142 kilometers north of Bangkok.

With the win the 24 year old southpaw improved his record to 21-11-3 with 89 knockouts while Samransak dropped to 34-20-1 with 26 knockouts.

De la Cruz figured in a 3rd round technical draw against rugged Denver Cuello last February 9 when both fighters were cut due to a clash of heads while Samransak won his last two fights in six round bouts against Filipinos Felix Tanamor and Albert Alcoy.

The wins came after Samransak suffered a 4th round TKO at the hands of world-rated  Bert Batawang in a battle for the vacant WBO oriental light flyweight title last May 3.

One other Filipino boxer who fought on the Singburi was beaten while another figured in a 1st round technical draw.

Flyweight Javier Malunan (12-5, 7 KO’s) dropped a six round decision to Wisanu Pornobnum (28-7-2, 9 KO’s) according to boxrec.com while lightweight Amor Tino was involved in a technical draw against Decho Bankluaygym in a clash for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific lightweight title.