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Panamanian Celestino Cabellero captured the WBA Super Bantamweight title after a stunning third round TKO of defending Thai champion Somsak Sithchatchawal in North East Thailand on Monday.
Cabellero, 30, whose record now stands at, 25-2 (18), was the interim WBA Super Bantamweight title holder coming in to the fight, and was always going to be a tough first defence for Sithchatchawal, 29, who slipped to only his second defeat, 46-2-1 (37), in 50 fights.
The Thai southpaw, who chose the outdoor venue of a Buddhist temple in Ban Rai Village in honour of a nationally respected monk, was supported by a packed home crowd. After quick entrances to the ring by both fighters, the audience had to endure the late afternoon heat and seemingly interminable wait as a host of sponsors and dignitaries were introduced in a roll call which lasted for about as long as the actual contest.
After finally being allowed to receive their instructions from referee John Coyle both boxers got off to a cagey start, with neither boxer landing much leather in a tentative first round.
However the contest picked up in the second round as the southpaw champion began to press Cabellero, who covered well on the ropes and made good use of the ring to evade any serious trouble.
Midway through the round both touched the canvas after Sithchatchawal stumbled into Cabellero. This seemed to ignite the defending champion who began ripping in dangerous looking hooks to the body and head of the challenger, who in turn started to land with his jab to keep the Thai fighter at range.
The action continued apace at the start of the third round as Sithchatchawal continued to push the fight. Using the same pressure tactics that served him so well in his punishing win over Mahyar Monshipour when claiming the crown, the champion was clearly looking to close the gap and negate the Panamanian’s height and reach advantage.
Cabellero, who continued to keep his distance, had other ideas and waited on another surge from Sithchatchawal before landing a beautiful right uppercut on the chin of Sithchatchawal and unceremoniously dumped the champion on the seat of his pants.
After taking a quick count from referee Coyle, the champion continued on slightly shaky looking legs. Cabellero needed no second invitation to come forward and soon followed up with a left jab and punishing straight right which saw Sithchatchawal take his second count of the contest.
The Thai fighter showed his grit in front of his home fans in rising from a heavy knockdown, but it was only delaying the inevitable as he wobbled under well timed pressure from Cabellero.
After getting trapped in the corner the challenger again landed a powerful straight right hand which downed Sithchatchawal for the third time and left referee Coyle no option but to wave off the fight over the stunned and floored Thai fighter, much to the delight of the new champion Cabellero and his delirious corner.
