By Joe Koizumi
Unbeaten Japanese southpaw, WBC interim minimum champ Yudai Shigeoka (8-0, 5 KOs), 105, scored a nearly shutout decision (119-109 twice, 117-111) over defending WBC full ruler Panya Pradabsri (40-2, 24 KOs), 105, from Thailand, over twelve fast-moving rounds on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.
Historically it was the second achievement that brothers acquire world belts in the same category in the same promotion, following Charlo brothers in Las Vegas in May 2016.
Yudai, three years his senior at 25, dethroned the formidable titlist just an hour after his younger brother Ginjiro, 23, did the same to IBF titleholder Daniel Valladares. Yudai, from the start, dominated the contest with his aggressiveness despite Panya’s occasional retaliation. The open scoring system indicated Yudai leading after the fourth—all 39-37 and after eighth—all 79-73. Yudai maintained the pressure to the still game and gallant champ, winning almost every round. Panya, 32, failed to score his fifth defense of the WBC belt, but he showed his heart and durability against the fast-rising southpaw puncher. The referee was Steve St. German (Canada).
Got Pradabsri out of Thailand and he beat him, let’s see if Rosa can do the same to an inactive Niyomtrong.
Got two brothers as champions in the same weight class and you have Oscar Collazo who has looked excellent and you have, potentially, another North American based champion. Strawweight might be about to get pretty fun.
HAS MENAYOTHIN OFFICIALLY THROWN IN THE TOWEL /GEESE WHAT A RUN ..SURPPASSED THE RUSSIAN US SPACE RACE /FLOYD MAYWETHER AND HIM