Filipino WBA #1 mandatory challenger Rey “Hitman” Loreto of Davao can’t wait to get in the ring to battle undefeated WBA 105-lbs World Champion former Muay Thai champion Thammanoon Niyomtron of Thailand this Saturday afternoon (July 15) in Chonburi, Southern Thailand.
Both 26 year-old warriors are set to trade rough blows in a fight to be broadcast live on Thai Channel 7; and the neutral WBA officials are already in Thailand.
The third man in charge will be none other than Puerto Rico Boxing Hall-of-famer referee Rafael Ramos, while the supervisor and judges are: Renzo Bagnariol of Nicaragua, Ferlin Marsh of New Zealand, Takeshi Shimakawa of Japan and Ignacio Robles of Panama.
“The Hitman” Loreto, a former IBO world champion – who has won his last six fights by way of knockout – is handled by the Brico Santig director of Highland Boxing and trained by coach JJ Jorda, while Niyomtrong (15-0, 7 KO’s) is handled by Thailand’s Diamond Boxing of veteran promoter Virat Vachirarattanawong.
This fight is mandatory as per a WBA resolution dated April 17 invoking WBA rule 11 for world champions. Niyomtron has no choice but to fight #1 Loreto; which he will do.
In fact, Loreto has fought in Thailand before. In 2011, Loreto knocked out then world-ranked Wisanu Kokietgym, and I was there to take this photo. Fans of Loreto hope that Loreto can do it again.
The weigh-in will take place tomorrow and PhilBoxing will bring you the weights.
The Niyomtron vs Loreto WBA world title fight is a production of Diamond Boxing and will be broadcast live in the Kingdom of Thailand on Thai Channel 7, whose live stream is easily available in various Internet sites.
