Tanes Ongjunta (13-2, 7 KOs) made his first protection of his WBA Asia flyweight title in opposition to former world title challenger Komgrich Nantapech (36-12, 6 KOs) in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 3, 2024.
The battle didn’t disappoint. Ongjunta, making an attempt to remain on the backfoot, used a quick jab to outbox Nantapech, who relied on his expertise to use strain. Nantapech began to nullify Ongjunta’s jab and focused the champion’s physique. From rounds 3 to six, Nantapech had Ongjunta in hassle, forcing him to battle on the within and bullying him in opposition to the ropes.
The relentless strain appeared to take a toll on Ongjunta, who used lateral motion to maintain the previous title challenger at bay. Simply as Nantapech started to dominate in spherical 6, the tide shifted. Ongjunta landed a number of arduous blows on the within, catching Nantapech with a robust proper uppercut throughout an alternate. This despatched Nantapech to the canvas, unable to beat the rely as referee Pinit Prayadsab waved the battle off.
Ongjunta’s spectacular show, coming from behind on the scorecards, culminated in a dramatic knockout victory, making for a extremely entertaining battle over six rounds.
Each veterans of the game, Ongjunta has represented Thailand internationally, profitable silver medals twice within the Southeast Asian Video games earlier than turning skilled in 2019.
He has confronted formidable opposition in Thailand, together with WBC junior flyweight champion Suriyan Satorn (61-14-1, 41 KOs), in addition to Adrian Lerasan (14-6, 6 KOs), and Jakrawut Majungoen (44-5-2, 23 KOs). In his final battle, Ongjunta misplaced by knockout to undefeated contender Dave Apolinario (20-0, 14 KOs) on the well-known Korakuen Corridor in Japan.
Ongjunta, 32, and Nantapech, 35, each seasoned fighters, made for an intriguing matchup. Nantapech, with 48 skilled bouts and 237 rounds below his belt, had beforehand challenged for the vacant IBF world flyweight title in opposition to Donnie Nietes (43-2-6, 23 KOs) and took a unanimous determination loss to former WBA flyweight world champion Juan Carlos Reveco (41-5, 20 KOs).
Within the undercard, one other upset occurred as Chaiyapruk Chainikom (11-2, 5 KOs) was stopped by Brazilian Vinicius Barros Santos (2-0, 1 KO) within the third spherical as a part of the Fighter Event. Giuliano Fantone (8-2, 5 KOs), who had beforehand taken a unanimous determination loss to Yuttapong Tongdee (15-0, 9 KOs), returned with a tune-up battle, securing a second-round win over Chris Wong (0-7, 4 KOs).
