Despite being knocked down in round 6, IBF Flyweight World Champion Amnat Ruenroeng (14-0, 5 KO's) of Thailand did enough to retain his title via split decision over hard-hitting Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo today Wednesday (Sep 10) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Kingdom of Thailand.
Arroyo pressed the action while Ruenroeng moved and boxed scoring shots from distance, being warned a couple times by American referee Pat Russell for excessive holding, though no points were deducted.
After twelve intense rounds, Filipino-American judge Jonathan Davis (115-114) and AuIgnatius Missailidis of Australia (114-113) voted for Ruenroeng, while Australian Ben Keilty voted 114-113 for the Puerto Rican.
The winner Ruenroeng counted with the valuable help of Filipino Aloje Jaro of Jaro Boxig who did a good job wrapping his fist and advising the Thai with the fight's game plan, which brought positive results.
With the victory, the undefeated 34-year-old Thai world champion made the successful second defense of the IBF world belt that he earned after outpointing Filipino Rocky Fuentes earlier this year. His first defense was against another win by points over Japanese standout Kazuto Ioka last May in Osaka.
Meanwhile, the Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo, despite the defeat, proved that he has skills and punch to compete at a top level and I would not be surprise to see him disputing a world title in the future. Arroyo and his team of PR Best Boxing are scheduled to arrive back in Puerto Rico's Luis Mu?oz Mar?n Airport on Friday (Sep 12) at 3:46 am on Jet Blue flight #1503.
The Ruenroeng-Arroyo world title fight was a production of Thai promoter Ekkarat Chaichotchuang broadcast live through out the Kingdom of Thailand on Thai BBTV Channel 7.
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