by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Thai challenger Samartlek Chaiyonggym has vowed to be the aggressor and go after Pan Asia Boxing Association light flyweight champion Randy “Razor” Petalcorin in their title clash at the Mandaluyong City Gymnasium on Saturday.

The blockbuster fight card which will also have four Philippine Boxing Federation title fights on the undercard is presented by AKTV and the city government headed by Mayor Benhur Abalos and will be telecast beginning at 9:00 p.m. on “Pinoy Knockout” over IBC 13.

At the official weigh-in and the Games and Amusements Board yesterday, Samartlek came in at 107 pounds, one pound under the light flyweight limit while Petalcorin tipped the scale half a pound below at 107 ½.-


The Thai challenger’s manager Kazuto  Harada told the Manila Standard that Samartlek had “trained hard , is in good condition and will be very aggressive from the opening bell” even as he said the Thai boxer whop has a record of 8-3 with 3 knockouts is determined to win and take the PABA title back to Bangkok.

The 20 year old southpaw Petalcorin has an impressive record of 16-1 with 13 knockouts.

Petalcorin who looked relaxed and very confident at the weigh-in has trained for the past bthree months and his American trainer Rick Staheli who handled pound for pound king Manny

Pacquiao’s preparation when he won his first world title with a sensational 8th round knockout  of Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul told us he is confident Petalcorin would win, possibly by a knockout.   

Staheli said he believes Petalcorin can become a three division world champion. He said the fighter who is managed by well known Australian promoter and popular TV boxing show host Peter Maniatis and JC Mananquil of General Santos City and who  is ranked No. 8 by the WBA could defend his title “a few more times and then he’ll emerge as a mandatory challenger.”

Staheli said it would be easier if Petalcorin first went after the minimum weight title because he won’t have problems making the 105 limit and “at that weight he is a big puncher.”

The Angeles City based trainer said “I expect big things from Randy.”

In the main supporting bout Jhunriel Ramonal battles Ariel Delgado in a PBF bantamweight championship. Delgado weighed in two pounds over the limit and after some time returned but tipped the scales at 122 ½ pounds which was ½ pound over the limit.

His trainer Emil Romano refused to have his fighter shed off the excess weight and threatened to pull out of the fight should the handlers of Ramonal demand that he make the stipulated weight and even had the temerity to lambast the camp of Ramonal for initially refusing to agree.

In the end however, Ramonal’s camp agreed even as it was clear that the threat to pull-out of the fight by Romano was just a ploy.

Respected TV boxing analyst Moy Lainez of “In This Corner” which is helping Action TV to put the card together along with Gerry Garcia and gym owner Romel Nazario and in the staging of the fights said “this should be a great fight just like the PBF featherweight championship between two certified warriors Rene Bestudio who is ranked No. 5 by the PBF and Leonardo Doronio who is ranked No. 9 and all the other title fights on this card.”

The other PBA title fights features bantamweights Rex Olisa and Christian Abila who stands 5’9” and is considered tall for a 118 pounder and flyweights Edison Berwela and Jaymart Toyco.