Newly-crowned WBC super-flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai says he is ready for a rematch against Nicaragua's Roman Gonzalez.
The 30-year-old Thai regained the 115-pound title by dethroning Gonzalez with a majority decision following a bloody 12-round slugfest at New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Two judges scored the bout 114-112 in favour of Srisaket while the other saw it 113-113.
While many experts said the outcome of the action-packed fight could have gone either way, some believe the Nicaraguan did better.
It was reported that Gonzalez, who suffered his first loss in 47 fights, was upset by the result and seeking a rematch.
"I'm a little dinged up. I thought I won the fight. I want an immediate rematch. I want to get my title back," Gonzalez stated.
Srisaket said yesterday: "If he wishes to have a rematch, he can have it. I'm ready. However, this depends on negotiations and my bosses."
The Thai, who is known in his country as Srisaket Nakornloung, said Gonzalez was the hardest-punching boxer he has ever faced.
"But I think my punch is harder," said the Thai who hails from the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket.
Srisaket knocked down Gonzalez for an eight count in the opening round.
He said that boosted his confidence for the rest of the contest.
"I did not think that he would be knocked down because he is probably the No.1 boxer in lighter weight classes. I was very happy,'' said Srisaket, a 14-1 underdog in the eyes of the bookies.
Asked in which round he felt he was going to win, Srisaket said: "Every round after he suffered that early eight count."
Srisaket (42-4-1, 38KOs) said Gonzalez was a nice guy.
"He talked to me before the fight but we did not talk after the fight. It's a pity that I did not take a photo with him after the fight," he said.
Srisaket said he was not intimidated by the packed Madison Square Garden and just tried to imagine the spectators were all supporters of his.
"I hope I will have more fights at the venue," said Srisaket, whose real name is Wisaksil Wangek.
"I want to return to Thailand as soon as possible. I have not gone out anywhere in New York because the weather is cold. I want to return home and take a rest. As for my next fight, I'm not afraid of anyone."
Srisaket is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok today when he is expected to receive a warm welcome from a large number of well-wishers.
His parents say they will be at Suvarnabhumi airport to greet their son.
Srisaket first won the WBC super-flyweight title in 2013 after beating Japan's Yota Sato. The following year, he lost the crown to Mexico's Carlos Cuadras in his only loss since 2010.
Gonzalez became a world champion in his fourth weight division in September after a unanimous-decision victory over Cuadras.
Srisaket is Thailand's third current world champion.
The other two are WBC minimum-weight stalwart Wanheng Menayothin and Knockout CP Freshmart, who holds the WBA belt in the same weight class.