Somchai Sitkopol To Battle Thai Foe

By Rey Danseco
 
Fights between boxers from the Philippines and Thailand will continue to take place.

Somchai Sitkopol is preparing to his scheduled trip to Manila within the week in preparation for his bout against former champion Baby Lorona Jr. in the main event of Mayor Virgilio Valle’s boxing event on May 5 in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

Sitkopol will come from Bangkok and scheduled to land on Friday in a convoy from Manila to the 49 barangays municipality in the eastern part of the Northern province.

The 36-yer old Thai will be the third Thai fighter to see action in the Philippine soil in the last three weeks.

On April 21 and 22, minimumweight Donnie Nietes and flyweight Drian Francisco, who are both World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific champions, demolished their Thai opponents.

Nietes stopped Thongthailek Por Vorasing in the second round to defend his title at the New Victorias City Coliseum in Victorias City, Negros.

Francisco scored four knockdowns to beat Deeden Sithsaithong with a fifth round knockout in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

“This is an opportunity for Sitkopol to salvage his country’s pride,” said Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr., the promoter of the card.

Lorona, 29, is a veteran of 66 fights including a reign as the Philippine featherweight champion and Philippine Boxing Federation super featherweight champ.

Sitkopol fought 33 times and now makes his Philippine debut.

Philippine authorities have not allowed Filipino fighters to fight in Thailand since the death of Lito Sisnorio, which took place on March 31 after he fought without a permit against former world champion Chatchai Sasakul.