By Rey Danseco
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is pushing a legitimate tough Thai challenger for reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific flyweight champion Rexon Flores in his planned title defense on the card of Tony Perlas of Red Lion Pub and Jay Sobrepeña in Baguio City next month.
Thailand-based Filipino-American Leon Panoncillo, the WBO Asia Pacific chairman, wants Flores (15-2-4, 8 KOs) to face Terdkiat Jandaeng, the top ranked contender in the 112-lb division, when he puts the title on the line for the second time on April 1 at the Camp John Hay.
Panoncillo suggested the orthodox boxer Jandaeng to Flores’ manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr yesterday as replacement to Wook-ki Lee, the former Korean junior flyweight champion who lost in the first round knockout to Manny Pacquiao after he technically drew with Marlon Carillo in as many bouts against Filipinos in the middle of 1990s.
Fighting under the famous Kokiet Stable in Bangkok, Jandaeng is an orthodox boxer who has proved his worth after posting convincing victories against former regional title challengers Falazona Fidal (WBA PABA) and Yongki Afrizal (WBF International) of Indonesia, and his compatriot Saensak Singmanasak (WBO Asia Pacific bantam).
Panoncillo asked Elorde Jr. to fax him as of press time yesterday the fight contract to process the approval of the title bout.
“I am waiting for Elorde to send the contract of the boxer so he can process his authorization letter from the Thailand Boxing Commission. Then I can request for the sanctioning of this bout, after all have been received. Documents needs to be process before anything can be done,” Panoncillo told this writer.
The 5-foot-4 Flores, ranked No. 2 flyweight in the world by WBO, captured the vacant crown when he floored previously undefeated Thai fighter Aree Phosuwangym en route to unanimous decision in July of 2004 in Manila.
Flores defended it when he scored two knockdowns in the third round en route to another unanimous decision win against the durable Alwi Alhabsy of Indonesia on May 14, 2005.
The title bout was originally set on March 11 and postponed on March 25 when the negotiation with Lee was on going.
