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Philippines, 17 May 2024 |
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The ?Hitman,? the ?Pretty Boy,? and? Ratanachai Who? By J.V. Tuazon, DPT aka 'The Fight Doc' PhilBoxing.com Thu, 13 Dec 2007 Thanks to boxing?s resurgence, and in part to HBO?s successful 24/7 series, the Hitman, the Pretty Boy, the Golden Boy, and the Pacman have become household names. However, not too many fight fans know who Gerry Penalosa?s next opponent is. Even though it is going to be the second time they exchange blows from a double southpaw stance early next year. Maybe it?s because of a curse that has befallen many a great Thai champion - their names are just too damn long. I?m kidding. But it would help if Ratanachai Sor Vorapin sported a catchy ring name, or even sucked on a lollipop while riding a horse into the ring (ala Jorge Arce) to stand out from the crowded sub featherweight divisions. Although he is not well known in the U.S., Vorapin is one tough Thai hombre (for lack of a better Thai word). The former Don King promoted Vorapin?s big losses have come to world class opposition away from home and half way across the globe. The man?s got credentials: In his opponent?s hometown of Washington DC, he fought Mark ?Too Sharp? Johnson, a staple on the top pound for pound lists just a few years ago. World champion Tim Austin, regarded as the best U.S. bantamweight ever. Future world champion and compatriot Yoddamrong Sithyodthong. Two time world champion Danny Romero. Mexican bantam king and former world champ Cruz Carbajal. Juan Manuel Marquez conqueror Chris John by decision in Indonesia! And of course Penalosa. Vorapin fought all of these marquee names in their prime. Vorapin is one of the most traveled and most famous fighters to hail from his country. In addition, the well traveled Thai will have no qualms about going into Gerry?s backyard to brawl. Looking back in time, it cannot be forgotten that it was Gonzalez who wrested the WBO strap from Vorapin in the seventh round of their 2005 encounter, the same fateful round ?Fearless? Gerry dethroned Gonzalez in 2007 with a one punch belly blasting KO at the Sactown World Cup. Fans will find out in February if the stocky Vorapin, whose legs are double the size of the lanky Gonzalez?s, can avenge his loss almost eight years ago against the ever crafty and grizzled veteran Penalosa. Yes, both fighters are in their thirties. Yes, some experts say they are past their better years. But after losing a controversial bout to Ponce De Leon because of a lack of punches thrown, and coming off a confidence building KO of Jhonny Gonzalez, look for a recharged Gerry to come out guns blazing against Vorapin. And as a dance partner, the slower footed, slugging Vorapin will be more than willing to exchange making for an exciting encounter. Going into the tail end of their long decorated careers, look for both veteran fighters to stamp this bout with exclamation points! ======================= Author?s note: In my younger ? and more flexible - years, when I was a Muay Thai fighter (exercising my legs with kicks, not just my finger tips on the keyboard), I was fortunate enough to train alongside Ratanachai and his fighting siblings (his older brother was former IBF minimum weight champion Ratanopol Vorapin). Here are a few pictures circa 2002-2003 at the Sor Vorapin Gym in Bangkok, Thailand: ======================= Picture credits: (Note: Photos to follow) Ratanachai (left) posing with his hard earned hardware at one of the Sor Vorapin Gyms in Bangkok. Ratanachai (right) drops a southpaw left on the author. The always playful Ratanachai sparring (absorbing a straight right from the author). The ever rugged and durable Ratanachai often sparts sans mout guard and head gear. Having contact lenses at the time and wanting to bear children in the future, I opted for the safer route of headgear and groin protector! One of the nicest guys I have met in boxing, Ratanachai Sor Vorapin. Ratanachai, an 80 plus fight veteran whose pro boxing career spans 16 years, likes to spend his free time playing jokes on his fellow stable mates and fishing. ======================= Author?s note number 2: It was on one of my trips to Thailand?s Sor Vorapin Gym where I first met the Hawaiian based, Filipino-American, WBO Asia-Pacific Vice-President Mr. Leon Panoncillo. This man has done so much not just for Philippine Boxing but to promote the sport as a whole on the world stage. This man deserves a Thank You. On behalf of boxing fans, myself included, thank you for sanctioning great championship fights and exciting fight cards. In addition, we also thank your organization for supporting the WBO Kids Drug Free Program and Outreach Programs for the less privileged children around the world. Click here to view a list of other articles written by J.V. Tuazon, DPT aka 'The Fight Doc'.  |
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