By Ronnie Nathanielsz
World rated lightweight Randy Suico should win easily when he battles Pongpetch Chuwatana of Thailand for the vacant OPBF lightweight title in a double championship fight card at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex today promoted by Rex “Wakee” Salud in partnership with MP Promotions of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao.
However, the co-main event between super flyweight champion Eden Sonsona who is managed by Pacquiao’s former business manager Rod Nazario and challenger Jerope Mercado promises to be a dandy between two promising, undefeated fighters.
Chuwatana has a dismal record of 9 wins as against 14 losses and is ranked No. 3 by the OPBF while Suico, a former world title challenger has a record of 24-3 with 21 knockouts and is rated No. 9 by the WBC. Suico is coming off a disappointing ninth round TKO in a WBA title fight against Juan Diaz in Las Vegas last July 15.
Chuwatana won his last bout on June 14 scoring a first round TKO over Lukyod Patanasingh but a check with boxrec.com showed that Lukyod had never won a fight as a pro and in fact had a record of 0-11. Prior to the win Chuwatana lost by a first round TKO to Japan’s Takashi Miura raising questions as to how a fighter with such a dismal record could be ranked No. 3 by the OPBF and given a title shot against such a hard-hitting former undefeated OPBF junior lightweight champion like Suico.
The Sonsona – Mercado title fight is certain to steal the thunder from the OPBF title showdown with the stylish champion vowing not to let Mercado steal his title. Promoter Salud who is a close friend and confidant of Manny Pacquiao said he expects a terrific fight.
