Nobnom Beats Megrino, Sithchatchawal-Paulino Draw

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Two Filipino boxers have lost in Pan Asian Boxing Association title fights with Ric Megrino losing his PABA flyweight title to former muaythai fighter Paipharob Por Nobnom who was making is debut as a pro boxer while Dante Paulino failed in his bid against PABA super flyweight interim champion Somsak Sitchatchawal who kept his title in a draw in the southern Thai city of Songkhla.

Paipharob scored a fourth round knockout over Megrino who had earlier won the title with a 5th round stoppage of another Thai fighter Ratanapol Sor Vorapin in July after Megrino dropped Ratanapol twice in the opening round, once in the fourth and once more in the fifth to end the bout.

With the loss Megrino dropped to 11-10-2 with 9 knockouts while Paipharob scored a KO in his professional debut.

Promoter Kokiat Panichayarom said Paipharob’s performance was beyond his expectation as the fighter was able to combine muaythai tactics with heavy punches. Kokiat is looking to have him defend his title in December, possibly against Richard Garcia of the Philippines.

In another fight on the same card, Thailand’s Somsak Sithchatchawal retained his PABA interim super flyweight title as his title defense against Filipino challenger Dante Paulino ended in a draw. Somsak, however, suffered cuts above his eyebrows that required 20 stitches.