Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Norihito Tanaka Arrives in Thailand, Aims to Dethrone WBC 105 World Champ Panya Pradabsri


PhilBoxing.com



Team Tanaka at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport.

BANGKOK, Thailand — Japanese challenger Norihito Tanaka (20-8, 10 KO’s) of the Misako Boxing Gym in Tokyo has landed in Bangkok, Thailand, ahead of his title rumble against Thai WBC Minimumweight World Champion Panya Pradabsri a.k.a. Petchmanee CP Freshmart (38-1, 23 KO’s), this coming Wednesday, August 31, in Korat, Kingdom of Thailand.

Fearless and confident, Tanaka was seen at the airport proudly carrying his Hinomaru Japanese National Flag, feeling honored to battle for his country in boxing in a world title match.

The clash of the titans will be the 3rd title defense for the skilled 31-year-old Panya Pradabsri (world's best minimumweight by BoxRec), who claimed the WBC minimumweight crown in November of 2020 by edging via unanimous decision then unbeaten 54-0 king Wanheng Menayothin (a.k.a. Chayaphol Moonsri) and decisioning him again in their rematch.

At the same time, the contest will be the 2nd world title chance for the 37-year-old Norihito Tanaka who would do anything to become a champion of the world.

Two years ago, the aggressive, coming forward Norihito Tanaka tried to dethrone reigning WBA Minimumweight Super Champion Niyomtrong Thammanoon (24-0, 9 KO’s), losing via unanimous decision by wide margins.

Then, what will happen to Tanaka’s next world title shot on Wednesday? Will he succeed?

That’s what we have to find out.

Interestingly enough, according to statistical data from the JBC, no Japanese challenger has ever dethroned a Thai world champion in Thailand. That has never happened in boxing history.

There have been 26 attempts since Japanese legend Fighting Harada lost his WBA Flyweight Belt in Thailand in 1963.

Since that historic defeat, there had never been a single win for a Japanese challenger in any regular world title fights of any sanctioning body in the Kingdom of Thailand. Not even one. Just one draw, and that’s it.

Numbers are a shocking reality, taking into account the fantastically awesome quality of Japanese fighters.

So, the question for you is this:

“With such an adverse record for Japanese challengers fighting Thai world champions in Thailand, does challenger Norihito Tanaka stand a winning chance?”

Can statistics like this one help you make up your mind on guessing what boxer could win a fight, or there’s even more to the story?

One fact, however, must remain crystal clear to all who love with boxing: “In boxing anything can happen.”

Absolutely. And we have seen that truth repeat itself, dropping out jaws time and time again. Right?

So let’s watch and see who wins Wednesday, if Panya or Norihito... and may the best man win.

Luckily for all, especially the boxers, the referee in charge for “Panya Pradabsri vs Norihito Tanaka” will be experienced WBC referee Malcom Bulner of Melbourne, Australia, who has already arrived in the Land of Smiles. Bulner has been a third man since 1970.

The panel of WBC judges include Dr. Thawuth Pluemsamran of Thailand and Hisatoshi Miyazaki of Wakayama, Japan

The world title show unfolding August 31 is a production of Thailand’s legendary boxing outfit Petchyindee Boxing Promotions.

The author veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.