By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBC flyweight Interim champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (72-3-1, 38 KO’s)will defend his title against Japanese challenger Takahisa Masuda (20-8-3, 5 KO’s)in a battle of southpaws in the northern province of Chiang Mai, Thailand on August 28.
Pongsaklek’s promoters announced the title defense which they said would be part of a large event that will include a tournament among eight Muay Thai fighters one of whom is WBC Youth straw weight champion Wanheng Meenayothin.
Pongsaklek won the interim title with a victory over Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda. He first won the WBC world title with a 1st round TKO over Malcolm Tunacao of the Philippines on March 2, 2001 and had 18 successful title defenses before losing the crown by a unanimous twelve round decision to Daisuke Naito in Tokyo on July 18, 2007.
Promoter Wirat Wachiraratanawong said all eight Muay Thai fighters have held championship titles at some point and indicated it was a difficult task for him to arrange a tournament of such a roster of top fighters.
He said the tournament in Chiang Mai will be the third of five tournaments planned for this year.
Pongsaklek is 32 years old while Masuda is 30.