by Carlos Costa, notifight.com
NONTHABURI, Thailand - With a huge blow to the mid-section former WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai of Thailand impressively destroyed Indonesia's Ricky Manufoe to capture the vacant WBC Asian Bantamweight title Tuesday at the picturesque Nonthaburi Pier here in the Kingdom of Thailand.
The 23 year-old world former champion displayed speed and power in his second outing after losing his world green/gold belt to reigning champion lanky Japanese Yota Sato in Tokyo in March of last year.
Suriyan (22-5-1, 8KO's), rated super flyweight #2 by the WBC, looked composed and confident using his effective jab and pressing the action, while his Indonesian opponent Ricky Manufoe, who normally fights in the flyweight division, did not seem to have technique nor heavy weapons to stagger the more accomplished world champion.
The Thailander kept dishing out damaging hands throughout the first three stanzas, scoring the final big blow in the 4th round, a lethal bomb to the mid-section of the Indonesian that sent the brave 25 year-old fighter face first to the canvas in obvious pain.
Manufoe (17-16-2, 6KO's) gamely tried to stand up, but grounded and without air simply couldn't get to his feet as the referee reached the count of 10, declaring Suriyan Sor Rungvisai winner by effective KO at the 2:37 seconds mark of round four.
This WBC Asian Bantamweight title fight was organized by veteran promoter Surachart Pisitwuttinan of Nakornloung Promotions and broadcast live on Channel 3 throughtout the Kingdom of Thailand.
The World Boxing Council bantamweight World champion is Japanese speedster Shinsuke Yamanaka who earlier this year outpointed "The Raging Bull" Vic Darchinyan. Another Japanese fight, Tomoki Kameda, is the Silver champ.
The WBC #1 Bantamweight is Mexican Hugo "El Increible" Cazares, while Filipino former champion Malcom Tunacao is #2, another Filipino, Rolly Lunas Matsushita, is # 7 and Julio Ceja of Mexico is world #8. After today's win, Suriyan will likely join this list.
