Fight to get Japan's Sato to face Srisaket in Thailand pays off
When World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Yota Sato touched down in Bangkok on Saturday ahead of his title defence, Thailand was already celebrating a victory after a year-long battle by the Thai promoter.
Next Friday’s bout against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai marks the first time in half a century that a Japanese world champion will defend his title here.
The 29-year-old Sato wrested the title from Suriyan Sor Rungvisai with a unanimous decision in Tokyo last March, but Nakornloung Promotion had to wait more than a year to trigger an option to get the Japanese to fight with any boxer in any location it wanted.
For young promoter Thainchai Pisitwuttinan, it feels like a long 12 months since he started negotiations with Sato’s camp for a bout against hard-hitting Srisaket on Friday at Khonmungsri stadium in Si Sa Ket province.
“We had a clause that if Suriyan lost to Sato we would be able to get him in a fight against any fighter at any place we wanted. But after winning the title, the Japanese’s camp tried to avoid talking with us about the option we had.
“They tried to drag things out during the negotiations because they didn’t want to come to defend the title here after what they heard about boxing in the country,” said 24yearold Thainchai, son of wellknown promoter Surachart.
It required an intervention from WBC president Jose Sulaiman before Sato, who boasts 12 knockouts in 29 professional fights, agreed to become the first Japanese champion to defend the world title in the country in 50 years.
“After Sato’s mandatory fight against Sylvester Lopez of the Philippines in July last year, we brought the issue to Sulaiman and he subsequently ordered him to abide by the contract he had with us.
“However, they still tried to negotiate a fight staged in Japan in exchange for what I believe would have been the biggest purse a Thai boxer has ever received. That didn’t change our minds.”
Thainchai added that the huge purse demand by the Japanese champion would be worth paying if the 26-year-old Srisaket was successful in his first crack at the world championship.
“He asked a lot to fight here. First, he wanted to fight at an indoor venue rather than outdoors, saying it would be too hot. So we decided to hold the bout at Khonmungsri Stadium, the same venue at which Suriyan won his world title.
“Then he demanded judges from Europe, which cost us a lot. In fact, the WBC is recognised for its high standard of refereeing no matter where the officials come from.
“Sato also required accommodation at a five-star hotel in Bangkok. He chose the Pan Pacific in Thong Lor, an area where many Japanese live. He also picked a top hotel in Ubon Ratchathani for prefight accommodation.
“We were willing to cover all the expense because we would like to see a Thai boxer reclaim a recognised world title.”
