Wanheng Menayothin will look for his eleventh title defense in a rematch against Tatsuya Fukuhara!
May 31 in Thailand is the minimumweight WBC championship bout between Wanheng Menayothin (AKA Chayaphon Moonsri) and Tatsuya Fukuhara (21-6-6, 7KOs).
Moonsri (52-0, 18KOs) has been champion for almost five years, but most have heard of him because he broke the “50-0” record that was heavily pushed by Floyd Mayweather when he was active.
Although, most pundits recognize Menayothin may have a better record, the resumes are incomparable!
Many who remember Hall of Fame minimumweight champion Ricardo “El Finito” Lopez, can recall the criticism he took and continues to take for the lack of competition he faced. However, Menayohtin’s resume is much thinner than Lopez’.
Nevertheless, the champion is looking to make it 53-0 in a rematch with Fukuhara. The challenger has won his last two fights since losing to the champion in November 2017 by unanimous decision.
Therefore, Fukuhara has in-ring experience with this opponent already, but these fights are why it can be said his record is slightly hollow.
Regardless, this is boxing and anything can happen. At these lower weights, upsets happen all the time. Will the experience of their first fight help Fukuhara in the rematch or will the class of Menayothin take over like it did their first fight?
We will see May 31!
By: Jordan “Blake” Whitehead
