By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Thailand’s former IBF minimumweight world champion and light flyweight title contender Ratanapol Sor Vorapin has decided to retire after taking a bad beating from hard-hitting Filipino Rey Migreno in a Pan Asian Boxing Association flyweight title fight at the beautiful Karon beach resort in Phuket.

Ratanapol, who was rated No. 4 flyweight by the WBA, was dropped four times by Migreno who doesn’t have a particularly impressive record although 9 of his 11 wins have come by way of knockout as against 9 defeats and 2 draws.

Migreno was coming off a 5th round TKO over Albert Alcoy in a Luzon Professional Boxing Association title fight from June 20 in which he showed his punching power according to respected TV analyst Moy Lainez who said he is “good and strong.”

The Filipino had fought twice before in Thailand losing on points to former world flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in an eight round bout and Duangpetch Saengmorakot in a PABA super flyweight title fight.

Migreno caught Ratanapol with some solid blows to drop the Thai twice in the opening round to set the tone of the fight. Ratanapol tried to fight his way out of trouble but Migreno caught him with telling counter punches and dropped the Thai again in the fourth round for the third knockdown of the fight but Ratanapol was saved by the bell.

Another vicious right straight by Migreno  flush on the chin dropped Ratanapol who fell in an ungainly manner and signaled the end of the bout and also Ratanapol’s career.

The 36 year old world-rated Thai said it was time for him to quit boxing after a career of over 20 years. The former world champion said he had prepared well for the PABA title defense but was hurt and knew he would not be able to recover easily. He said he no longer had the determination to continue fighting while his wife had agreed that he should quit.

The Thais exacted some consolation when light flyweight Wisanu Pornobnum (31-7-2, 11 KO’s) retained his PABA title with an eleventh round unanimous decision over Donnie Mabao (12-9-1, 3 KO’s)  and WBC International flyweight champion, 23 year old  Saenmuangnoi Sor Kingstar (3-1, 0 KO’s) also scored a six round decision over Filipino Rodel Quilaton (12-10, 3 KO’s)  in a non-title bout.