Long wait for revenge - SPORTING CHANCE - By Joaquin M. Henson

Andy Tabanas will never forget his first loss as a prizefighter. It was on Oct. 21, 1991, when he dropped a 12-round decision to Phalan Lukmingkwan in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) miniflyweight title bout in Bangkok. That setback broke a string of 17 straight wins that Tabanas had compiled since turning pro in 1989.

Since that defeat, Tabanas lost three more bouts — all to Mexicans. In 1993, he was knocked out by Miguel Angel Granados in Tokyo. Two years later, Ricardo Lopez halted Tabanas in the 12th round to retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight crown in Stateline, Nevada. And in Las Vegas a year ago, he lost an upset eight-round decision to unheralded Gustavo Andrade.

Tabanas, 31, has waited nearly 10 years to avenge his loss to Phalan, now sporting the ring surname Sakkririn (his real name is Phalangnum Sorborikara). The mention of Phalan’s name would make Tabanas’ blood boil. After all, the Thai southpaw’s the only Asian ever to boast a win over him.

This morning (Manila time), Tabanas lets it all hang out as he faces Phalan in a long-overdue grudge rematch for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight title at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Tabanas’ career is on line in the fight — a loss could mean the end of it all.

Tabanas is rated No. 1 by the WBO, No. 7 by the WBC and No. 9 by the IBF. He’s ranked by the WBO in the 108-pound division and by the WBC and IBF in the 105-pound class.

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The Tabanas-Phalan fight is on the undercard of the main event featuring the junior welterweight unification title match between WBC champion Kostya Tszyu and World Boxing Association (WBA) ruler Sharmba Mitchell. It’s being co-promoted by Don King. US fans can watch the action on Showtime pay-per-view cable TV.

Tabanas began his career in Cebu-based businessman Tony Aldeguer’s stable. Then he joined Rex (Wakee) Salud’s camp before hooking up with Hawaiian Leon Panoncillo, King’s Asia-Pacific agent.

Since losing to Andrade, Tabanas has scored three wins in a row — all in Honolulu — knocking out Wonoroya Subandi in one, beating Muhamad Basir on a third round disqualification, and halting Agus Ray in five to raise his record to 40-4-1, with 24 KOs. Two victims were ex-IBF titlists Manny Melchor and Nico Thomas of Indonesia.

Tabanas has said he’s looking forward to retiring from the ring — but not after capturing a world title and stashing a hefty loot in the bank to secure his family’s future. Neither he nor his wife Chloe, who works as a supervisor in Aldeguer’s garment company in Cebu, finished college. Their dream is for their three children — Archteven, 8, Audreylee, 6, and John Paul, 5 — to enjoy a full education.

"Kailangan pa akong mag-boksing at marami pa kaming binabayaran buwan-buwan, tulad ng educational plan para sa aming tatlong anak," he said.

A win over Phalan will open the doors for Tabanas to earn the big bucks he’s dreamed of for years. A loss will be difficult to live down at his age.

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Phalan, 32, is no spring chicken either. He made his pro debut in 1988 after a successful career as a Muay Thai champion. Alas, he lost a decision to Chana Porpaoin in his first fight. It took four more years before Phalan was beaten again – this time by Manny Melchor, a Filipino, on points. Since bowing to Melchor, Phalan has strung up 24 consecutive wins to raise his record to 45-2-1, with 16 KOs.

Like most Thai fighters, Phalan has made it a habit to feast on Filipino patsies who couldn’t care less about winning or losing abroad as their only concern is to bring home a dollar paycheck. Among his Filipino victims were Eric Chavez (twice), Joe Constantino (twice), Ernie Buenafe, Roger Espanola, Rudy Idano, Julie Tagalog, Al Tan Lee, Flash Simbajon, and Marc Anthony.

Phalan wrested the IBF crown from Chavez on a seventh round stopage in 1990 and lost it to Melchor in his eighth defense. He won the World Boxing Federation (WBF) flyweight diadem on a 12-round decision over Krasimir Tcholakov in 1994. Phalan repulsed eight challengers in a row before abdicating the disrespected WBF throne two years ago.

Will Tabanas savor sweet revenge after 10 years or will his long wait go for naught?