Wanheng Meenayothin Inches Closer To Mayweather's Record

By James Goyder

Floyd Mayweather probably doesn’t know who Wanheng Meenayothin is. But the 31 year old Thai fighter is on track to overtake him by becoming the first undefeated fighter since Ricardo Lopez to register 50 wins without ever tasting defeat.

The reigning WBC 105 lbs champion is set to reach the magical 50 mark through a combination of tune up bouts and title defences. Today’s fight in Bangkok fell firmly into the former category, a six rounder against solid but unspectacular Filipino Jaysever Abcede.

The fight got off to a slow start, although by the end of the opening round both men were trading hooks in the centre of the ring. The second stanza saw Wanheng sneak several straight rights through the guard of the southpaw before landing a four punch combo which sent Abcede stumbling back.

In the third round Abcede was initially the aggressor but began backing up after a series of straight right hands from the Thai. In the fourth Wanheng landed a right hook to the body followed by an eye catching left hook upstairs which stirred the crowd.

What he lacked in accuracy Abcede tried to make up for in aggression but Wanheng was easily evading his looping punches. In the fourth round the Pinoy landed two hard left hooks downstairs but if either shot bothered the undefeated WBC 105 lbs champion he didn’t let it show.

Wanheng began the sixth round by using his jab to keep the oncoming Abcede at bay. An exchange of hooks ended with honours even but the Thai successfully landed several straight right hands, backing his opponent onto the ropes and snapping his head back.

Six rounds seemed far too brief for a contest of this caliber but that was all we got with Wanheng unsurprisingly declared the winner. Scorecards weren’t announced but the win takes him to 46-0, four short of that historical 50th win. Abcede drops to 13-6.

The card did feature a 12 round bout. Singsayan CP Freshmart (8-0) won a unanimous decision over Joe Tejones (7-3) in a match which had the vacant WBC Youth 115 lbs title on the line. The scorecards all read 117-113 in favour of the Thai.

This article originally appeared on The Fight Nation.