MANILA, Philippines – Pungluang Sor Singyu made the first successful title defense of his WBO bantamweight title with a headbutt-filled technical decision win over Jetro Pabustan on Friday in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The fight was stopped after seven rounds due to excessive bleeding above Pabustan’s left eye due to one of six accidental butts, with all three judges scoring the fight a 70-63 shutout for Sor Singyu (52-3, 35 knockouts).

The fight started off at a brisk pace, with the orthodox Sor Singyu and the Filipino southpaw Pabustan (26-3-6, 7 KOs) bringing the fight to the inside early. Their contrasting stances and corresponding strategies made for head clashes, of which Pabustan frequently got the worst.

Sor Singyu, who is rated No. 8 by THE RING at 118 pounds, was the busier of the two, landing straight rights through the middle of Pabustan’s guard.

The 27-year-old Sor Singyu is in his second reign as a titleholder after winning the vacant title against Ryo Akaho by second round knockout in August.

His first title reign, which began with a ninth round stoppage of Filipino boxer AJ Banal in 2012, ended in his first defense when he lost to Paulus Ambunda four-and-a-half months later.

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