By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine bantamweight champion Joel Bauya has been badly beaten in a Pan Asian Boxing Association title fight against undefeated champion Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym at the Rachadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday, May 24.
All three judges scored it for the Thai by wide margins in a fight Poonsawat dominated from the opening bell. The scores were 120-106, 120-106 and 120-107
The 29 year old Filipino who was ranked No. 5 by PABA was dropped in round seven and was also slapped with a point deduction by referee Chuchart Kaokit for what was ruled as an intentional head-butt in round nine. Bauya who was coming off a draw in a Philippine title defense against Roger Galicia last March 28 proved to be no match for the undefeated Poonsawat who was too quick and too talented for the slow-moving Filipino.
The 24 year old Thai champion who is ranked No. 1 by the WBA was making an incredible 18th title defense since winning the PABA crown with a twelve round decision over the Philippines Lee Escobido on October 12, 2001. Poonsawat improved his record to 22-0 with 15 knockouts while Bauya dropped to 15-7-3 with KO’s.
