By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Thailand’s Manfa Luksaikongdin has retained his Pan Asia Boxing Association super lightweight title with a lopsided decision over fancied Indonesian challenger Jonathan Simamora in a fight card at the Southern Association of Thailand in Bangkok.
Manfa quickly dispelled the fears of the Thai media that the bigger Sinamora would have an advantage in the bout but as he quickly established his superiority to win by a margin of 109-100 on the scorecards of all three judges.
With his first successful defense of the vacant title he won by a second round knockout over Monte Carlos last March 23, the 21 year old Manfa improved to 9-7 with 6 knockouts. It was Manfa’s third win this year while Simamora who suffered his third straight loss at the hands of Thai fighters dropped to 21-10-4 with 8 knockouts.
The Indonesian challenger who arrived in Bangkok last June 16 told reporters on his arrival that he was in prime condition and was confident of winning the title. Even Manfa’s promoter Taweesin Laosuwannawat had told the Thai media that the 26 year old Simamora was the more experienced fighter with 21 fights as against the 15 of Manfa. But that didn’t help him at all as Simamora won only one out of the eleven rounds.
In a supporting bout PABA minimum weight champion Kwanjai Chor Nor Pattalung (3K Battery) scored a six round points decision over Indonesia ’s Yanus Emaury. With the win the WBA No. 4 ranked Thai improves his record unbeaten record to 24-0-1- with 13 knockouts while Emaury dropped to 6-5-1 with 3 knockouts.
In an earlier fight this year Emaury retired at the end of the second round against hard-hitting Filipino Denver Cuello last January 11 in a bout at the Araneta Coliseum.