By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino challenger Lionel Mark Duran has lost by a unanimous but close twelve round decision to Denchailek Thitipong, the Pan Asian Boxing Association flyweight champion in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
All three judges scored the fight for the champion. Narong Ruamjit had Denchailek the winner 115-113, Jirawat In Eam 115-112 and Chalerm Prayadsab 116-112.
With the win the 20 year old Denchailek improved to 10-0 with 7 knockouts while Duran who is also 20, dropped to 8-3-1 with 2 knockouts.
Duran was ranked No.11 by PABA.
Denchailek won the PABA flyweight interim title with a 6th round TKO of Indonesia’s Ricky Manufoe last February 7 in which the referee was Ver Abainza of the Philippines.
He followed this up with a 2nd round knockout over Alwi Alhabsyi in a non-title bout before making his first defense against Duran.
Duran was coming off a ten round split decision win over Albert Alcoy last April 7.