
Action returns to Thailand this coming Friday for a card set to be streamed online via Thairath. The card, the latest from Kiatkreerin, looks to be a relatively predictable one, but does feature some fighters of note from the Kiatkreerin stable, and may well be followed with announcements of other bigger bouts later in the year.
The most notable fighter on the card is former 2-time Olympic medal winner Manus Boonjumnong (4-0, 2), though unfortunately we're unsure who he will be up against. We are expecting to see Manus out again in a few weeks so we're not expecting to see him face anyone too tough here, but it's clear that his team are keeping him busy and trying to get him into 100% fighting shape, a stark contrast to the way he looked on his debut.
Whilst Manus is the biggest name on the card he isn't in the main event. That bout will instead see Patomsuk Pathompothong (31-4-1, 19) battle against Indonesian Stevie Ongen Ferdinandus (18-10-1, 8) for a regional IBF title. This should be an easy win for Patomsuk, best known for losing last year to Ik Yang, however the 32 year old hasn't really got too much time to waste with bouts like this if he really wants to make a mark on the sport. Hopefully a fight against another top Asian will come later in the year, with fighters like Al Rivera, Shionya Iwabuchi or Hiroki Okada all making for attractive match ups.
A third bout on this card will see Ratchasi Sithsaithong (4-2, 3) battle against Khompetch Sithsaithong (5-7, 5). This will be Ratchasi's first bout since he was stopped by the under-rated Hikaru Nishida last November whilst Khompetch has lost his last 4, including losses to Keita Obara and Cobra Suwa.