By Ronnie Nathanielsz
World Boxing Council flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand has scored a first round knockout over the Philippines Rey Megrino, the former Pan Asia Boxing Association champion who was ranked No. 7 in the PABA June ratings.
The 32 year old Pongsaklek who won the flyweight title with a twelve round majority decision over Koki Kameda in Tokyo last March 27 took just 1 minute and 37 seconds to dispose of the obviously overmatched Megrino.
The 24 year old Filipino who won the PABA title with a 3rd round knockout of Fonluang Sor Tanapinyo on December 31, 2009 and lost the title to another Thai Denkaosan Kaovichit in his first defense on April 19 this year was no match for Pongsaklek regarded as one of the most durable Thai champions.
Pongsaklek improved to 76-3-1 with 40 knockouts while Megrino dropped to 12-12-2 with 10 knockouts.
The Thai world champion is one of those being eyed by newly crowned WBC silver flyweight champion Edren Dapudong (19-2, 10 KO’s) who won the title with a sensational 1st round knockout of hard-hitting Mexican southpaw Jesus Jimenez last June 19 in Nayarit province, Mexico.
However, Dapudong will first have to overcome the challenge of Wilbert :”Hurricane” Uicab (28-5-1, 17 KO’s) in a title defense likely to take place in Mexico sometime in August.