August 15th

We've got to admit we struggled to find many notable August 15th's though the first we stumbled on was in 1980 when the ill remembered and terribly tragic Thomas Americo claimed his first title. Americo stopped South Korea's Sang-Mo Koo for the OPBF Light Welterweight title in 8 rounds. A little over a year later, August 29th 1981, Americo became the first Indonesian* to challenger for a world title, coming up short against Saoul Mamby. Unfortunately Americo died in 1999 aged just 40 when he was shot during riots in East Timor.

In 2003 Thailand's Sirimongkol Singwancha fought his first of 3 US bouts. Sadly for the Thai he lost this one, dropping a 12 round decision to Jesus Chavez. Amazingly since this fight Sirimongkol has gone 11 years with out being defeated run ning up an amazing 37 straight wins!

The most recent August 15h of note was in 2009 when Kazakhstan's Beibut Shumenov fought in his first world title fight. Sadly for Shumenov not only did he fight in his first world title bout but he also suffered his first loss, being defeated in a decision to Spain's then WBA Light Heavyweight champion Gabriel Campillo. The two men would have a rematch 5 months later with Shumenov taking a much disputed decision that many, including ourselves, are still questioning to this day.


On this day in 1991 Genesis Servania, the very talented and highly promising Filipino prospect, was born in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Servania, who is now 23, is thought o be one of the brightest shining youngsters in the Philippines and already has numerous notable wins, including an all action technical decision over Konosuke Tomiyama.

Exactly 6 years prior to Servania birth we welcome Thailand's Petchbarngborn Kokietgym in to the world. Petchbarngborn, real name Karoon Jarupianlerd, is currently a world ranked fighter who may find himself in a world title fight somewhere down the line. Although best known by many for his stoppage loss to Sho Ishida he is still a fighter who is considered a genuine contender in the Super Flyweight division.

[*Ed's note-Although Americo is considered the first Indonesian to fight in a world title bout it's worth noting that after his death East Timor gained independence from Indonesia.]

(Image courtesy of http://www.fightwriter.com)

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