BANGKOK, 19 July 2006 — Thailand’s Wandee Singwangcha took the World Boxing Council light flyweight interim title yesterday with a unanimous decision over 12 rounds against Juanito Rubillar of the Philippines.
The fast-punching Wandee got off to an explosive start and battled his way to a points victory over the number one ranked Rubillar, who was on the defensive for much of the fight.The visitor answered with some fierce right hooks in the third and fourth rounds but Wandee stood firm with an impressive display of counter punching throughout the fight.
Rubillar fought back in the final rounds but the Japanese, South Korean and Australian judges awarded the interim title to the 26-year-old Thai 117-113, 117-113, 117-111.
He will now face the winner of next month’s light-flyweight title bout in Las Vegas between champion Brian Viloria of the US and Mexico’s Omar Nino.
Rubillar, 29, was the favorite going into yesterday’s bout in Bangkok with a higher knockout percentage and a record fighting tougher opponents than Wandee.
The Filipino has registered 39 victories, 17 losses and seven draws with 17 knockouts compared to Wandee’s 48-7-1 record with 10 knockouts.
