| |
|
WBC Boxer of the Decade Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Set to Become a Trainer in Singapore
By James Goyder PhilBoxing.com Sat, 05 Sep 2015
 Pongsaklek.
It is two years since WBC ?Boxer of the Decade? Pongsaklek Wonjongkam was last seen in the ring and the 38 year old this week announced he would be swapping his fighting career for a full time job as a boxing trainer.
The long time WBC 112 lbs champion will be moving to Singapore to work as a boxing trainer at Evolve MMA. It represents a return to boxing for a fighter who has not been involved in the sport since retiring from competitive action in 2013.
Pongsaklek (90-5-2) initially announced his retirement at the end of 2012 although he returned to the ring the following year for three final fights. He was named the ?Boxer of the Decade? by the WBC and heralded as the best boxer Thailand has ever produced.
During his career Pongsaklek fought in an incredible 26 world title fights, winning 22 of them. He beat the likes of Koki Kameda, Suriyan Sor Rungvisai, Edgar Sosa and Daisuke Naito, facing the last fighter no fewer than four times.
At his peak Pongsaklek won an incredible 55 consecutive bouts, the longest continuous win streak in boxing at the time. His 2002 knockout of Daisuke Nato was the fastest finish to a world title fight in flyweight history, the end arriving just 34 seconds into the first round.
Ponsaklek also holds the record for the most consecutive defences in the history of the flyweight division, having successfully defended his WBC belt 17 times between 2001 and 2007 before suffering a shock KO loss to Nato.
Thai boxers tend to disappear from public life after retirement, with the notable exception of Khaosai Galaxy who appears on variety shows almost every week. However there is a growing trend for the top Muay Thai fighters to travel overseas and work as trainers.
Among Ponsaklek?s colleagues at Evolve MMA will be former WBA 130 lbs champion Yodsanan Sityodtong. For more information visit: http://www.evolve-mma.com/
Click here to view a list of other articles written by James Goyder.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6 By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Tue, 31 Mar 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout , Tue, 31 Mar 202613-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20 , Tue, 31 Mar 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 202660 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire , Mon, 30 Mar 2026Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust? By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal! , Sat, 28 Mar 2026GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos) By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov , Fri, 27 Mar 2026SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|