Both champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand and Japanese challenger Norihito Tanaka of Misako Boxing Gym tipped the scales at the class limit of 47.6 kg (105 lbs) on Aug. 30 for their World Boxing Council minimumweight title match the following day at Nakhon Ratchasima, some 256 kilometers northeast of Bangkok.

It will be the 37-year-old Tanaka’s second crack at a world minimumweight title in Thailand since he unsuccessfully challenged Panya’s compatriot and World Boxing Association super world minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong, alias Knockout CP Freshmart, for his title in March 2020. Tanaka is currently ranked 14th in the division by the WBC.

If Tanaka wins, he will become the oldest Japanese to win a world title at the age of 37 years and six months, surpassing the existing record of 35 years and nine months held by former three-time world champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Shinsei Boxing Gym in September 2016.

Japanese boxers have so far failed to beat Thai boxers 25 straight times, including one draw, in the world championship fights in the southeast Asian country.

The 31-year-old Panya has 38 wins, including 23 KOs, against a loss and is making his third defense of the title he won by decisioning compatriot Chayaphon Moonsri in November 2020. For his part, Tanaka has a record of 20 wins, including 10 knockouts, against eight losses.
Photo by Misako Boxing Gym