World Weekend Boxing Roundup: Singyu Wins WBO Title In Thailand

There was only one world title contest this weekend and that clash for the vacant WBO bantam crown occurred on Friday at Central Stadium in Ratchaburi, Thailand with Bangkok’s Pundluang Sor Singyu, 51-3 (35), taking on Ryo Akaho, 26-2-2 (18).

Local veteran Singyu won the WBO bantam belt in 2012, only to lose it five months later and then failed in his bid to unseat champion Tomoki Kameda in 2014.

Singyu is only 27 years old but having had to endure the wear and tear of 53 professional fights, this could have been his last shot to regain the world stage.

Across the ring was the taller Akaho, of Yokohama, Japan, who came into the contest with seven straight wins, six inside the distance, and as the WBO International titlist.

The lanky 29 year old has also held the OPBF super fly crown over two defenses but had jumped up to bantam after an unsuccessful 2012 attempt at the WBC title at 115 pounds.

Once the bell rang in Ratchaburi, the combatants dispensed with any feeling out strategy, as jabs were just used as rangefinders for big right hands. Akaho got in the first good shot but Singyu took it well.

The visitor looked to stand off from the Thai man and leap in with full-blooded lefts to the body or right-handed haymakers. Some of these landed to good effect but this approach also left Akaho vulnerable to counters and Singyu struck home several hard shots.

The contest was a bit rough during the clinches with Singyu rabbit punching on several occasions, along with a tackle, while Akaho employed a couple of headlocks.

At the start of the second round, the pair were issued a warning by referee Robert Byrd but that had little effect as Singyu continued to rabbit punch and Akaho was starting to stray low with his body shots.

Singyu struck gold with a hard jab that caught his rival flush and as Akaho covered up on the ropes, the local man went on a rampage, clubbing the Japanese fighter with a torrent of punches.

Akaho staggered into the corner and sagged on the ropes as he was pummeled/shoved/bulled to the canvas where he was counted out at 1:08 of the second round.

Akaho appeared to be hurt as he made no attempt to beat the count but also could have thought that somewhere in the final moments that he was fouled and could get a rematch if he stayed down.

Regardless, Singyu put on a dominant display of power and poise in re-capturing the WBO bantamweight title, even if it was a little bit ugly.