Pinoy tormentor in Antipolo

Former World Boxing Association (WBA) interim minimumweight champion Songkram Porpaoin of Thailand has never lost to a Filipino and lists 16 Filipino victims in compiling a fearsome 21-2-1 record, including 10 knockouts, since turning pro in 1993.

In case you haven’t heard, Songkram’s in town. He’s fighting former World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight titlist Malcolm Tuñacao’s older brother Noel in the undercard of the Randy Suico versus "Kid" Karim Nashar mainer at the Ynares Center in Antipolo tomorrow night.

Songkram, 35, is no spring chicken. And before hanging up his gloves, he’d like a final stab at the world crown. His twin brother Chana–of course, he’s just as old–won the WBA 105-pound diadem a few months ago. Songkram is confident of duplicating Chana’s feat at his age. Incidentally, Chana lost the WBA title to Yutaka Niida on points in Yokohama last week so Songkram is eager to make up for the family’s setback by repulsing Tuñacao.

If Songkram is determined to break out, Tuñacao is just as hell-bent. Tuñacao, 31, blew his chance to capture a world title in 1992–he was outpointed by Hiroki Ioka in a battle for the WBA junior flyweight throne in Kitakyushu. The roof eventually caved in on Tuñacao after he suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Lee Escobido and Rustico Torrecampo, prompting his retirement in 1996.

But after a four-year layoff, Tuñacao got the itch to lace up the gloves again. Terry Carter, an American based in Cebu, agreed to manage Tuñacao who hasn’t looked back since staging his comeback last year. Tuñacao has won nine straight fights and promises a convincing win over Songkram.

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It won’t be easy turning back Songkram who’s a tough, two-fisted fighter with a long history in kickboxing. The Thai has knocked out Filipino campaigners Rommel Lawas, Roger Gamayot, Edwin Talita, Rolando Tadle, Al Tarazona (in a single round), and Ramil Gevero. And he has outpointed the likes of reigning WBC International minimumweight champion Ernesto Rubillar, Jerry Pahayahay, Al Pong Navaja, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight titleholder Manny Melchor, Christopher Saguid, Jaime Aliguin, Reggie Palabrica, and Rodolfo Fernandez–all Pinoys.

Twice, Songkram dueled WBC International flyweight king Randy Mangubat for the Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA) crown in 1997. Their first meeting ended in a third round technical draw. Then, Songkram scored a fifth round technical decision in the rematch. Two years ago, Songkram beat Ronnie Magramo on an eighth round technical verdict to win the WBA interim minimumweight title.

Songkram was stripped of WBA recognition when he fought Hiroshi Matsumoto in a non-title fight in Kitakyushu four months after the Magramo bout without notifying the governing body. For the record, Matsumoto outpointed Songkram in an upset–only the Thai’s second loss ever (his first defeat was an 11th round knockout by Rosendo Alvarez of Nicaragua in a WBA title fight in 1997).

Songkram then went on a two-year hiatus before resurfacing in Tokyo last June to halt Tatsuo Hayashida at 2:37 of the sixth round with a single punch. A win over Tunacao will catapult Songkram back in the title stakes.

It’s a crossroads fight for both Songkram and Tuñacao. So expect all hell to break loose in a waterfront brawl because their careers are at stake. Songkram and Tuñacao are fighting for their future or what ’s left of it.