Tensions ran high as Filipino Vincent Astrolabio (19-4, 14 KOs) stopped Thai Contender Nawaphon Kaikanha (58-3-1, 48 KOs) in the WBC elimination bout today at the Bazaar in Rachadadaphisek in Bangkok. The winner will fight current WBC bantamweight titleholder Alexandro Santiago.
This was a very exciting matchup, as both men have unsuccessfully challenged for a world title in the past but fell short in their attempts. Astrolabio, who is rated No. 6 by The Ring at 118 pounds, lost by MD to Jason Maloney in Stockton Arena for the WBO bantamweight title earlier this year. Thai veteran Kaikanha (aka Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai) lost to Juan Hernandez Navarrete for the vacant WBC flyweight title in Bangkok in 2017. An obvious sense of urgency pervaded the fight.
The bout started with Astrolabio pressuring the Thai fighter and controlling the center of the ring, keeping Kaikanha on the back foot and then against the ropes. Astrolabio began landing some hard shots and looked comfortable during the fight.
The home fighter’s team instructed him to fight at a distance and use his footwork more. In Round 4, things seemed to change as Kaikanha found his rhythm and started exchanging with his Filipino rival, getting in some successful counters.
The second half of the fight is when things started to heat up, with the Thai veteran putting some serious pressure to Astrolabio and making it a firefight with hard combination punches to the body and head. Over the next few rounds, Astrolabio started to look fatigued and had no answer for the Thai. Kaikanha added more pressure and volume punching in each round. Towards the end of the fight, Astrolabio looked to have some success with counterpunching but was already down a few rounds.
