“Ironman” Pornsawan Kratingdaeng Gym arrived in the Philippines, ready for the vacant WBO 105-pound mini-flyweight contest against the Philippine No 1 contender Donnie Nietes on September 30. The Thai fighter vowed to fight it all-out to bring the title belt back to his hometown. The Philippine medias were impressed by the Pornsawan’s arrival and his appearance as he was in confident form.

 The vacant WBO mini-flyweight 105-pound fight between Filipino No 1 contender Donnie Nietes and “Ironman” Pornsawan Kratingdaeng Gym, Thai No 2 contender, is due to take place on September 30 at 9.30pm local time (10.30pm Bkk time) at the Waterfrongt Cebu City Hotel in Cebu, the Philippines.

At 9.30am on September 26, Pornsawan Kratingdaeng Gym, No 2 contender in the WBO 105-pound class, manager “Kamnun K” Pramuk Rojanatun, trainer Pichet Khemnak and Tan Focus, the two-time best photographer from Siam Sports Daily and Muay Siam Daily left Suvannabhumi International Airport towards Manil by Thai Airways International on flight TF620.

Before departure, Pornsawan said, “This fight is the most important in my life. Although I trained only one and a half month, I devoted all what I had and I think I’m now fit physically. My weight is seven pounds above the scale, but I don’t think it will pose any problem to me. I can keep my weight to the limit in three days.

“I already saw his tape and I think he is a strong fighter. He has dangerous uppercuts with long reach. However, I think I can match him competitively. I will try my best to take the title belt with me back to Thailand”.

Manager “Kamnun K” Pramuk Rojanatun said, “This fight came very fast and we had only one and a half month in training. Pornsawan was also determined. All of us had waited this time. I believe that if in top form, Pornsawan stands a good chance of winning the title. Donnie Nietes is not a strong fighter. He just has a long reach with fast left-right combination. If Pornsawan punches him hard at his body, I think he has a chance to knock Nietes out.”

The trip of the Thai group lasted around three hours before arriving in Manila at 1.30pm (one hour earlier than Bkk time) and then they had to wait for two and a half hours for the transfer flight to Cebu. It took them only one and a half hour to arrive in Cebu at 5.30pm. The promoter of the organizers picked them up for the check-in at the Waterfront Cebu City. After reaching his room, Pornsawan left his belongings and went out jogging for around 45 minutes.

A Philippine media representative said, “As far as I see Pornsawan, he is well-prepared for the match. He is muscular and I think his fight against Nietes should be one of the thrilling matches.”

Source: Siam Sports Daily, 27 September 2007