MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are 2-3 in world title fights so far this year with one more bidding to claim a championship today. Booking wins were IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas who stopped Mexican challenger Israel Gonzalez in the 10th round in Corpus Christi last Feb. 3 and IBF flyweight titlist Donnie Nietes who halted Argentinian challenger Juan Carlos Reveco in the seventh round in Inglewood last Feb. 24 while the losers were lightweight Mercito Gesta who bowed to WBA champion Jorge Linares in Inglewood last Jan. 27, flyweight Brian Viloria who was outpointed by Ukraine’s Artem Dalakian for the vacant IBF crown in Inglewood last Feb. 24 and Ernesto Saulong who lost to IBF superbantamweight titlist Ryosuke Iwasa in Tokyo last Thursday.
Toto Landero will take his turn to capture a world crown when he faces WBA minimum weight titleholder Thammanoon Niyomtrong, also known as Knockout CP Freshmart, in Chonburi, Thailand, today.
Filipino international referee Silvestre Abainza said Landero has the slight 60-40 edge over Niyomtrong. Abainza was the referee in Niyomtrong’s wins over Nicaragua’s Carlos Buitrago in 2014 and Venezuela’s Alexis Diaz in 2015. He was a judge in Niyomtrong’s win by decision over Shin Ono in 2016.
“Niyomtrong is a slow starter,” said Abainza. “Landero should put the pressure on Niyomtrong from the first round. The key is to corner Niyomtrong and not be cornered. If Landero gets off to a strong start, he has a big chance of winning.” Abainza said the WBA will assign only neutral judges for the bout which was originally scheduled last Dec. 15 but postponed due to an injury sustained by the Thai in training camp.
The referee is Rafael Ramos of Texas while the judges are Takeshi Shimakawa of Japan, Octavio Rodriguez of Panama and Ferlin Marsh of New Zealand.
Landero, 22, has a 10-1-2 record, with 2 KOs. His only loss was a knockout to Joey Canoy with Abainza the referee in 2016. Landero was floored twice in the fight. Abainza was a judge when Landero was held to a majority eight-round draw by Philip Cuerdo in 2015. Landero’s most recent outing was a win by a six-round decision over Powell Balaba last October. Niyomtrong, 27, boasts a 16-0 mark, with 7 KOs. The unbeaten Thai will make the fourth defense of the crown he wrested from Nicaragua’s Byron Rojas on points in Khon Kaen in 2016.
Experience will be on Niyomtrong’s side. A former muay thai kickboxer, Niyomtrong has beaten top-caliber fighters like former IBO lightflyweight champion Rey Loreto, Buitrago twice, Japan’s Ono and Go Odaira, Rojas and Diaz. In contrast, the only world-rated fighter whom Landero has beaten is countryman Vic Saludar who lost on a split decision last June. It will be Landero’s first fight overseas.
Niyomtrong has victimized five Filipinos so far, namely, Marzon Cabilla, Mark Anthony Florida, Bimbo Nacionales, Jonathan Refugio and Cris Alfante. But Landero, known as “Muscovado” because of his sweet style, is unfazed. He hopes a 2-inch height advantage will be a factor and if Niyomtrong takes him lightly, the Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, native will make the Thai pay the price.