By Salven L. Lagumbay
Without much fanfare, Philippine bantam champion Joel Bauya left for Bangkok last Friday as he guns for the Pan-Asian Boxing Association 118-lb title against reigning champ and WBA top contender Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym tomorrow in Bangkok, Thailand.
Bauya, who was accompanied by his manager Emil Romano in the trip, earlier expressed full confidence in wresting the crown away from the undefeated Thai champ following a failed attempt to win the WBC International crown last year.
"I'm better prepared this time. I think I have a chance because the champion Poonsawat loves to fight and doesn't move around much," said Bauya moments before taking a PAL flight bound for the Thai capital.
The outstanding Poonsawat, holding an unblemished 21-0, 15 KO's ledger, is groomed to challenge WBA champ Wladimir Sidorenko late this year, and hopes to use the Bauya fight as a final tune-up before gunning for the world title.
The southpaw Bauya, meanwhile, holding a less-stellar 15-6-3 win-loss-draw record with 8 KO's, aims for an earth-shaking win as an opportunity to thrust himself into the WBA's top 10. It will no doubt be an uphill climb for Bauya.
Last March 28, Bauya drew with former WBC International bantam champ Roger Galicia to keep his Philippine title.
