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Philippines, 04 May 2026 |
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Simsri Crushes Mendoza, Retains IBF 108-lbs Title; Could A Filipino Challenger Fight Simsri Next? (Analysis) By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Tue, 14 Apr 2026  Thailand’s Thanongsak Simsri retained his IBF Light Flyweight World Title with a brutal second-round knockout of Mexican challenger Sergio "Yoreme" Mendoza Monday, April 13, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The tough Thai champion’s aggressive style and devastating power proved too much for the unbeaten Mexican, who showed little response to the sustained attack. Simsri, 25, came out firing from the opening bell, imposing his rhythm and volume on Mendoza. The Thai world champion went on the attack with fury, unleashing a series of devastating hands that rocked Mendoza to the canvas.  Thailand's Thanongsak Simsri retains his red and gold IBF belt after dispatching Mexico's Sergio Mendoza in the second round in Tokyo Monday. The brave Mexican challenger got up, but Simsri was like a beehive all over him, landing crushing bombs that rock Mendoza once again to the deck, sealing his exciting win. The impressive victory improves Simsri's record to 40-1, with 35 KOs, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant fighters at 108 pounds. Simsri’s one and only defeat was three and half years again again the current IBF 112 pounds World Champion Masamichi Yabuki (19-4, 18 KOs). A devastated Mendoza, meanwhile, suffered his first career loss, dropping to 27-1. Simsri's performance raises expectations for big fights, possibly a unification bout, probably against Puerto Rican unified WBO/WBA champion René “Chulo” Santiago (16-4, 9 KOs), who has fought three title fights in Japan. Or perhaps against WBC 108 World Champion Shokichi Iwata (16-2, 13 KOs). If not a unification against any of the two other champions, Simsri would need a title defense against an exciting challenger. Either way, the Thai fighter is proving increasingly difficult to dethrone.  L-R: Suganob, Araneta, Andales and Magramo. With luck, could a Filipino challenger be his next opponent for the world title? Four Filipino Light Flyweights appear in the IBF world-ranking: • IBF #3 Regie "The Filipino Phenom" Suganob 18-1, 7 KOs) of Dauis Bohol, managed by Floriezyl Podot PMI Promotions • IBF #5 Cristian "The Bomb" Araneta (25-3, 20 KOs) of Mandaue City Cebu managed by the popular Omega Gym and a rematch against Simsri would be great. 👍 • IBF #9 ArAr "Asero" Andales (29-2-3, 8 KOs) of Bacoor Cavite managed by Gerry Balmes of Quibors. • And IBF #10 Arvin "Hurricane" Magramo (20-2-1, 11 KOs) of Parañaque Manila, guided by Art Monis and Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions Blow by Blow. Could any of these four strong and skilled Filipino world-ranked 108-pounders be Thanongsak Simsri's next challenger for the red 'n golden IBF Light Flyweight (108 lbs) World Title? Let’s hope for the best! Time will tell! 👍 The author is veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa in Cebu City 🇵🇭 carlos@philboxing.com ☀️ Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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