By Rey Danseco
FORMER world title challenger Randy “Destroyer” Mangubat has received an offer from Thailand to fight the highly rated and reigning Asian Boxing Council (ABCO) flyweight champion Ponomrunglek Kratingdaeng on April 24.
Well-known Thai manager Virat Vajiratanawongse told the Philippine-based Japanese handler of Mangubat, photojournalist Yuki Murayama, of their plan on giving the veteran Filipino brawler another chance to get another step towards a world title shot.
The 21-year old unbeaten southpaw champion will put his title on the line and also automatically risk his No. 2 ranking in the World Boxing Council (WBC).
“This is another chance that Randy is waiting for. He wanted to give it a try and he’s determined to gain international recognition (again) towards gaining another crack (for a world title),” said Murayama, who speaks fluent Filipino.
Mangubat, a veteran of nearly 70 fights, is the former WBC International flyweight champion who was the last Filipino challenger to the WBC flyweight title. He went in a distance in a spirited title shot against Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, who is Vajiratanawongse’s boy, in the third of their four-fight series on June 6, 2003 in Songkla, Thailand.
Coming off in a unanimous decision win over Ricky Escaner on Oct. 15 in Zamboanga Sibugay, the 30-year old native of Sto. Tomas town in Davao del Norte but a long-time resident of Mandaluyong City is currently reunited with former his former under Benny dela Peña and also gets pointers from Lando Espinosa, younger brother of ex-two time champ Luisito Espinosa.
“If Randy falters in ABCO championship, he will surely hangs up his gloves,” said Murayama.
