March 31st

On this day...
 
1982-Pone Kingpetch passes away
Thailand's first world champion Pone Kingpetch passed away at the age of 47, from pneumonia and heart failure. The Thai legend, who boasted a 28-7 (9) record, had not only been Thailand's first world champion but was a 3-time Flyweight champion and holds huge wins over Pascual Perez, twice, Mitsunori Seki, Fighting Harada and Hiroyuki Ebihara. 
 
1984-Jung Koo Chang Vs Sot Chitalada I
Korean legend Jung Koo Chang recorded his 3rd defense of the WBC Light Flyweight title as he defeated Thai professional novice Sot Chitalada, in their first bout. The bout saw the Korean take a hard fought win over Chitalada, who was just 4-0 entering this bout. Chang would go on to hold the title until his retirement in 1988. He later came out of retirement and would lost a razor thin rematch to Chitalada in 1990, whilst clearly not the fighter he once was. Chitalada would go on to become a 2-time WBC Flyweight champion and be one of the more notable Thai's of the 80's and early 1990's.
 
1992-Chan Young Park's final bout
Former WBA Bantamweight champion Chan Young Park isn't a fighter we suspect many will be too familiar with, but the Korean fought 40 times from 1980 to 1992. He won his word title in May 1987, stopping Takuya Muguruma, but lost it in his first defense, to the legendary Wilfredo Vazquez. He later moved up in weight and challenged Daniel Zaragoza but lost a split decision before picking up 4 stoppages to close his career with a 33-5-2 (16) record.
 
2001-Z Gorres debuts
In 2001 talented Filipino Z Gorres made his professional debut. The very skilled Fillipino, who was 18 at the time, was regarded very highly by those in his homeland and showed his skills with a 6 round decision win over Rudy Hibaya. He would win 13 in a row before suffering an upset loss to Edgar Rodrigo. He bounced back from that loss and would win the OPBF Super Flyweight title, give Fernando Montiel a tough bout in a 2007 WBO world title fight, marred by the refereeing of Samuel Viruet, before fighting to a draw with Vic Darchinyan. Sadly his career ended after a 2009 win over Luis Melendez, with Gorres collapsing after the bout.