Pradabsri Overcomes a Tough Ngiabphukhiaw To Retain His Title; Menayothin Rematch Next?
Panya Pradabsri scored one of the biggest surprises in 2020 when, in November of that year, he defeated Wanheng Menayothin to win the WBC world minimumweight title. The win surprised many followers of the lower-weight division. Menayothin had reigned as WBC champ since 2014 and unbeaten in his previous 54 bouts. Following a non-title win in March of 2021, Pradabsri made the first defense of the title against little-known, 21-year-old challenger Danai Ngiabphukhiaw at the City Hall Ground in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. This was a world title fight featuring two countrymen, quite a rarity in Thailand.
TOUGHER THAN EXPECTED
Pradabsri (37-1, 24 KO’s) was the aggressor from the opening bell. He was able to connect repeatedly with combinations to the head and body of the challenger. Danai Ngiabphukhiaw (9-3, 5 KO’s) was understandably nervous in the opening rounds. He tried to keep the fight on the outside and box but was getting outworked.
However, the youngster had his big moment during the middle rounds of the contest. During an exchange between the combatants in seventh, Ngiabphukhiaw caught the champ. Pradabsri was visibly hurt. However, he recovered and even landed some shots of his own by the end of the round. Pradabsri regained control from the eighth round on. Kudos must go towards both men as they fought furiously throughout in what turned into an excellent contest.
In the end, the work rate from Panya Pradabsri was too much to overcome. The judges ruled in his favor by unanimous decision (117-111, 118-110 x2). Up next for the defending minimumweight champ could be a rematch with Menayothin, who fought on the undercard. Ranked number one by the WBC at 105 pounds, the former champion won his fight by third round stoppage.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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