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Srisaket Sor Rungvisai targets Estrada-Gonzalez winner, Kwanthai Sithmorseng stands in his way

Fighters Network
09
Mar

Big-punching former two-time WBC junior bantamweight titleholder Srisaket Sor Rungvisai will face former WBA strawweight titlist Kwanthai Sithmorseng at the Workpoint Studio in Bang Phun, Thailand on Saturday (Friday in North America).

The DAZN broadcast will begin at 9.30 p.m. ET/ 6.30 p.m. PT.

Sor Rungvisai, who is rated No. 1 by The Ring at 115 pounds, behind champion Juan Francisco Estrada, is focused on the task in hand.

“Kwanthai is very experienced, and he is a former world champion,” Sor Rungvisai (49-5-1, 42 knockouts) told The Ring through Janatha Laksanasompong. “I cannot underestimate him, and I’m sure he will be more than 100-percent [ready] on March 12th.”



The 34-year-old knows victory is imperative if he is to secure a world title bout against either Estrada or Roman Gonzalez, who clash in a unification bout in Dallas the following day.

“This fight is very important to me, and I must win with an impressive performance to show the world that I’m more than ready to fight them,” Sor Rungvisai said. “I will fight the winner of Estrada and Chocolatito later this year. I have waited for almost two years for this world title opportunity. It’s time and I believe I can do it.

“My goal right now is to be a three-time world champion. I will put everything into reaching my goal.”

Sor Rungvisai stunned the boxing world with a fourth-round knockout of Roman Gonzalez. AP Photo/ Chris Carlson

Bank Thainchai Pisitwuttinan of Nakornloung Promotion (NKL) has been unable to secure international opponents for Sor Rungvisai due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Because of many challenges and uncertainties from the COVID-19 situation, globally and in our region, we had to look for the best possible opponent within Thailand for Srisaket,” explained Pisitwuttinan.

“With these conditions in mind, we looked for the best possible 115-pound boxer in Thailand and Kwanthai Sithmorseng is the best option for us. Kwanthai is a former WBA world champion and also the current Thai junior bantamweight champion. He has fought against multiple world champions throughout his career. He will push Srisaket to be at his best in order to prepare him to fight the winner of Estrada and Chocolatito.

“If Srisaket is not at his best on fight day, he won’t be able to beat Kwanthai easily. An upset in this fight is not impossible, so Srisaket needs to push himself to be at his best, both in the gym and in the ring.”

Pisitwuttinan expects Sor Rungvisai to meet the Estrada-Gonzalez winner in August or September.

“A trilogy between either Chocolatito or Estrada for Srisaket will be legendary,” he said. “They have such amazing rivalries between them.

“It makes me think of the Fabulous Four rivalries between [Thomas] Hearns, [Marvelous Marvin] Hagler, [Sugar Ray] Leonard, and [Roberto] Duran in the 80s. And the best thing about this is that the story is still ongoing at junior bantamweight.”

Sithmorseng (50-7-1, 27 KOs) turned professional in 2005. The 38-year-old won the WBA 105-pound title, when he edged compatriot Pigmy Kokietgym (SD 12) in November 2010 but lost it in his first defense to Muhammad Rachman (KO 9). He bounced back with 11 consecutive wins before being stopped by WBA 108-pound titleholder Kazuto Ioka (KO 7), in September 2013, and Ryoichi Taguchi (TKO 8), in May 2015. Since then, Sithmorseng’s form has remained patchy.

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Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @AnsonWainwright

 

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