[ad_1]
Thailand is driving a wave of success on the worldwide boxing stage. Knockout CP Freshmart (25-0, 9 KO) just lately defended his world title in Australia towards Alex Winwood (4-1, 2 KO). Earlier, Thananchai Charunphak (25-1, 15 KO) claimed victory over Kento Hatanaka (15-1, 10 KO) in Japan, whereas Thanongsak Simsri (35-1, 32 KO) secured the OPBF Gentle Flyweight crown in March by defeating Miel Fajardo (11-2-2, 10 KO).
But, probably the most vital problem for Thai boxing looms on the horizon, as bantamweight contender Tasana Salapat (76-1, 53 KOs) prepares to cement his legacy within the sport.
On October 14, the Thai southpaw referred to as Petch CP Freshmart will step into the ring at Tokyo’s Ariake Area to face Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KO), rated at No. 9 by The Ring at pound-for-pound, for the vacant WBC bantamweight title. It’s the second time Salapat will struggle on overseas soil, a serious step in a profession that has principally been fought at house.
Like many Thai boxers, Salapat started his fight profession in Muay Thai, competing on the nation’s highest ranges earlier than transitioning to skilled boxing. However his journey has been distinctive. At simply 16-years-old, the long run bantamweight title challenger made his skilled boxing debut in 2011, defeating Sarawut Pantayung, higher referred to as Jomhod Eminent Air (7-4, 2 KO), a celebrated Muay Thai champion. His early profession was a whirlwind, as he fought 9 instances in his first 12 months.
Between 2012 and 2018, the Thai fighter saved a formidable tempo, preventing seven to eight instances per 12 months, mixing it up with regional and youth champions, journeymen, and even debutants. The purpose was easy: keep energetic. Like many Thai fighters, he adopted an alias, “Petch CPF,” named after his sponsor, a neighborhood grocery chain that organizes month-to-month boxing occasions, retaining him busy with common fights. This sponsorship mannequin, widespread in Thailand, allowed him to remain sharp, generally going through the identical opponents a number of instances. With 76 fights underneath his belt and just one loss, he has been one of many sport’s busiest boxers.
That one defeat got here in 2018, when he travelled outdoors of Thailand for the primary time to face Japan’s Takuma Inoue (20-1, 5 KO) for the interim WBC bantamweight title. Regardless of placing in a robust effort, he misplaced by unanimous determination, marking the primary and solely blemish on his file. Now, the Thai veteran heads again to Japan to face a good greater problem in Nakatani.
Some of the intriguing features of this upcoming bout is that it’s a southpaw vs. southpaw matchup. This provides a novel tactical component to the struggle. Apparently, the final time Nakatani fought a southpaw was in April 2022 when he defended his WBO flyweight title towards Ryota Yamauchi (12-3,11 KO). Nakatani received the struggle by an eighth-round technical knockout, displaying his skill to deal with left-handed opponents successfully. This makes the upcoming struggle with Salapat all of the extra attention-grabbing.
I had the prospect to go to him at his coaching camp in Pathum Thani province, positioned simply on the outskirts of Bangkok. Skilled by famend coach and former WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul, Salapat was within the thick of preparations for the largest struggle of his profession. It was a Thursday afternoon, and as I arrived, he was already busy shadowboxing, his focus sharp. The fitness center radiated a optimistic aura, with the group nonetheless driving the excessive of Knockout CP’s latest win in Australia.
Sitting down with Sasakul as we watched the Thai fighter undergo his paces, the coach supplied an sincere evaluation of the problem forward.
“Junto, I feel it’s a really onerous struggle for Petch,” Sasakul admitted. “However in boxing, something can occur. I can’t predict the long run, and I don’t understand how issues will go in Japan. However that is additionally not a straightforward struggle for Junto. We’re working onerous, and I’ve a method. We’re following the plan.”
Curious concerning the 2018 loss to Takuma Inoue, I wished to know what had modified since then. Sasakul mirrored on the expansion his fighter has skilled, explaining, “The very first thing he discovered was expertise. It was his first time preventing overseas. He was nervous, excited, and couldn’t carry out as easily as ordinary. However now, he has matured. I feel this time he can management his feelings. However, you recognize, Junto is excellent.”
When discussing Salapat’s strengths, Sasakul described him as well-rounded. “Petch is well-rounded. His ability, his punch energy—it’s not too onerous, not too comfortable. He has his sturdy factors, however I’m making an attempt to enhance them.”
After the coaching session, I sat down with Salapat himself to be taught extra about his journey. Rising up in a poor household, boxing was initially a approach to assist help his family members. “My household was fairly poor after I was a toddler, so I considered methods to assist help them,” he shared. “At the moment, there was a neighborhood pageant on the temple close to my home, they usually organized Muay Thai matches. I went to observe and have become occupied with Muay Thai. The organizers allowed me to take part, and from that second on, I loved it and began coaching.”
Eager to know extra about his inspirations, I requested if there was somebody who influenced him to pursue boxing. “My inspiration started after I began coaching in skilled boxing. It was Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (91-5-2, 47 KO) who I admired.”
With a storied profession spanning over a decade, I puzzled how he maintains his motivation in any case these years. “I hold coaching constantly and keep disciplined,” he mentioned. “I by no means underestimate any opponent in any struggle.”
Reflecting on his 2018 struggle with Takuma Inoue, I used to be inquisitive about what classes he had discovered from that have. “I discovered so much and gained helpful expertise from preventing overseas for the primary time. I introduced these expertise again and continued to develop myself additional.”
As for his upcoming bout with Nakatani, Salapat is approaching it with renewed confidence and dedication. “This struggle means every part to me,” he mentioned. “If I get the prospect, I’ll give every part to carry the belt house. It’s going to imply a lot for my household and for the popularity of boxing in Thailand.”
His preparation has been rigorous, with one among his principal sparring companions being Phongthep Homjui (14-1-2, 8 KO), a fellow southpaw who additionally has an upcoming struggle in Seoul. The 2 have been pushing one another to the restrict, fine-tuning their expertise forward of their respective challenges.
With Sasakul’s steerage, the Thai fighter is set to go away his mark on the game. Because the clock ticks nearer to struggle evening, there’s a way that he’s able to embrace the problem, irrespective of the result. He is aware of what’s at stake—each for himself and for Thailand.
[ad_2]