By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Nathan Barcelona of the Philippines has lost in a bid for the WBC Asian Boxing Council featherweight title suffering a fifth round knockout at the hands of undefeated Thai champion Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo in Nakornpatom, Thailand.
Barcelona was dropped once in the fourth round and twice on the fifth and was counted out at 2:27 of the round. It was Barcelona’s third straight defeat. He also lost by a second round knockout to Wethya Sakmuangklang last July 29 raising questions as to how he could be given a title shot.
Piriyapinyo who improved to 7-0 with 4 knockouts won the title with a twelve round decision over Filipino Rolando Gerongco last July 9 and in his last title defense scored a twelfth round KO over Joen Honno last October 15.
