Category: Arnon Yupang

February 27th-Taduran defends, Kunkabayev goes for gold!

2/24/2021

February has been a worryingly quiet month for fans who follow Asian fighters. Thankfully however there is a real pick up in activity this coming Saturday with a host of Asian fighters in action all around the globe.

Bula Gym, General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines
The most meaningful bout of the day comes from the Philippines where we get world title action from General Santos City. The bout in question will see IBF Minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran (14-2-1, 11) defending his title against Rene Mark Cuarto (18-2-2, 11), with Taduran looking to record his second defense of the belt.The aggressive and heavy handed Taduran has impressed in several bouts, notably his loss to Wanheng Menayothin and his title win against Samuel Salva, however he has been out of the ring since a technical draw against Daniel Valladares just over a year ago. Cuarto on the other hand lacks a real win of note, though is a hungry 24 year old challenger looking to make his mark on the sport. Sadly Cuarto hasn't fought since late 2019 and is 2-1-1 in his last 4, but is very much a live under-dog and is technically more rounded than the champion. A full preview of this bout can be read here Taduran takes on Cuarto in All-Filipino world title fight!

Tynyshpayev Academy of Transport and Communications, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Although the biggest bout of the day is in the Philippines the most interesting card is actually in Kazakhstan where we get the chance to see a number of exciting prospects in action.

The most notable bout on this show will see fast rising Kazakh standout Kamshybek Kunkabayev (2-0, 2) battle in his first title fight, as he takes on the once beaten Steven Ward (13-1, 4) for the WBO Asia Pacific Cruiserweight title. Kunkabayev was an amateur standout who has been hugely impressive since making his pro debut last year, and has notched two very solid wins in as many fights. In the opposite corner is Ward, a Northern Irish fighter who's record looks good, but under the surface his competition has been poor and his sole loss, an opening round TKO to Ricards Bolotniks, does not bode well for him here. On paper Ward is probably the first opponent who is coming to beat Kunkabayev, though we suspect he'll be taken out relative early on here. Our preview of this one can be read here Kunkabayev goes for gold as he battles Ward!

(Editor's note - Kunakabayev's opponent has been changed, he will now be facing Ukrainian fighter Server Emurlaiev (23-1, 8), unfortunately these articles are scheduled more than a week in advance, and the previews are written 2 to 3 weeks before a bout.)

In a much more interesting looking bout we'll see unbeaten Kazakh Nurtas Azhbenov (10-0, 4) take on once beaten Russian Evgeny Smirnov (13-1-3, 3). The 26 year old Azhbenov has shown some promise, but doesn't appear to be a star in the making, with a lack of power likely to be one of the things holding him back from the big time. He has also been matched relatively softly through his 10 bout career. Smirnov on the other hand has been matched harder, but has struggled and has gone 0-1-3 against unbeaten fighters. Smirnov is also win-less in his last 3, going 0-1-2 since late 2018. This one should be "interesting" but we suspect it will lack drama, as neither man is known for having much power.

Exciting youngster Talgat Shayken (3-0, 2) will be looking for his 4th professional win as he takes on Russian fighter Evgeny Pavko (18-3-1, 13). Although not the most talented or polished fighter out there Shayken is a very entertaining fighter, who comes to rumble, presses forward with a high intensity and really lets his shots fly when in range. He's a very fan friendly fighter who needs time to mature and develop, but should be on the radar for fans who follow the Central Asian scene. Pavko on the other hand is a very decent, well respected and experienced fighter who will be looking for a victory here, rather than rolling over and just losing. His 3 losses have all been struggles for the winners and we suspect Shayken will need to work hard for a victory here, though his natural size should be the difference here.

A potentially explosive bout will see once beaten Kazakh Abay Tolesh (6-1, 4) take on Russian Vasily Shtyk (2-2, 2). The talented Tolesh is looking to score his second win following a 2020 loss to Saparbay Aidarov and will be wanting to make a statement. Shtyk on the other hand is a limited but tough fighter who has heavy hands, as he showed last time out against Sergey Kozhukhar. We expect Shtyk to be a potential banana skin here for Tolesh.

Suamlum Night Bazaar, Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok, Thailand
Staying in Asia we'll also get the first Thai show of 2021 as TL Promotions give us a card in Bangkok.

The main event here will see former IBF Flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng (21-4, 6) take on the once beaten Arnon Yupang (6-1, 3). Despite now being 41 Amnat is proving to be a slippery and talented fighter, who is still putting in solid performances, as we saw last year against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Pungluang Sor Singyu. Aged 23 this is a big step up for Yupang, but also a great chance for him to put his name on the map. For Yupang the key is to outwork Amnat, but that is easier said than done.

On the under-card we're expecting to see the unbeaten Yuttapong Tongdee (5-0, 4), a wonderfully talented and highly promising Thai, take on Arthit Kaewbantid (3-1, 2). We regard Tongdee as on of the brightest hopefuls in Thailand but, and although this looks like an easy match up we're really just wanting to see Tongdee kept busy this year before bigger and better things in 2022.

London, United Kingdom
In London we'll see UK based Afghan fighter Quaise Khademi (8-0, 2) battle against Ijaz Ahmed (7-2) for the WBO European and the vacant IBF European Super Flyweight titles in a very good looking match up. For Khademi this will be his first defense of the WBO European title, which he won back in 2019, and will see him looking to build on a solid start to his professional career. As for Ahmed he'll be looking to bounce back from a close loss to Harvey Horn, at Flyweight. Khademi should have the edge in natural size and power, but Ahmed will not be there to suffer a second successive loss.

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, USA
We also have action in the US as unbeaten Chinese Heavyweight hopeful Zhilei Zhang (22-0, 17) takes on Jerry Forrest (26-4, 20). The 37 year old Chinese fighter really has let his career slip away with father time and the promise he had following a successful amateur career is unlikely to ever be realised due to his age and relatively weak match making. Aged 32 Forrest is no push over, and despite having 4 losses is a live under-dog here, having pushed Jermaine Franklin and Carlos Takam close in recent bouts. Forrest is tough enough, experienced enough and good enough to test Zhang, and if Zhang is on the slide this may turn out to be a genuine banana skin for the big guy from China.

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August 29th-Yupang defends WBA regional title in Bangkok!

8/26/2020

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Suamlum Night Bazaar, Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok, Thailand
This coming Saturday we get minor title action as WBA Asia South Featherweight champion Arnon Yupang (5-0, 2) defends his title against the debuting Nonthasith Petchnamthong (0-0). On paper this looks like a poor match up, an unbeaten prospect defending a regional title against a debutant, but in reality this is two novices clashing for a minor regional title. Although he had 5 bouts to his name Yupang has only been a professional since late last year, winning 4 bouts against fellow novices in TL Promotions excellent little tournament "The Fighter". Those 4 bouts count as 4 of the 5 bouts that Yupang has had, with the other coming against the very under-sized Inthanon Sithchamuang. Interestingly Nanthasith is ranked #15 by the WBA Asia, though we do believe this is his debut.

Thai sources report that two men have apparently known each other for a while and were reportedly on the same team and are close, though we wouldn't be surprised to see them put their friendship to the side and really go at each other here.

Sadly no other bouts for this show have been confirmed at the time of writing.

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July 11th-Boxing returns to Thailand!

7/6/2020

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Thailand
Boxing returns to Thailand this week coming Saturday as TL Promotions put on a show with two regional title bouts. Given the start of Thai boxing at the best of times we were never expecting anything huge, but this is actually an interesting show of unbeaten hopefuls.

In the main event 16 year old rising hopeful Phoobadin Yoohanngoh (8-0, 4) will take on former Muay Thai fighter Kulabdam Sor Jor Piekuthai (2-1, 1) in a bout for the WBA Asia Light Welterweight title. Last year Phoobadin won "The Fighter" tournament, despite his age, but did struggle in a number of those bouts and this is a clear step up in class compared to some of his fights, in terms of competition and the length of bout and the weight class. Kulabdam was a standout Muay Thai fighter, though notably he was stopped in his last boxing bout, last December, by a man that Phoobadin would later beat.

This is a good chance for Phoobadin to claim his first title but Kulabdam will be looking to give his boxing career a kick start after a stumble last time out.

Another unbeaten hopeful on this card is 22 year old hopeful Arnon Yupang (4-0, 1), who takes on veteran Inthanon Sithchamuang (31-13-1, 19) in a bout for the lightly regarded WBA Asia South Featherweight title. Although Yupang has won his first 4 bouts he has only been fighting at a very low level and this is a massive step up. Whilst Anon is stepping up it's worth noting that Inthanon is very much a naturally smaller man, and has made his career at Super Flyweight.

We suspect Yupang will be too big for Inthanon, who looks to be shot to pieces and has been stopped in his last 4 bouts, however Yupang is lacking pro boxing experience and may be looking to get some rounds under his belt here.

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February 27th-Taduran defends, Kunkabayev goes for gold!

August 29th-Yupang defends WBA regional title in Bangkok!

July 11th-Boxing returns to Thailand!

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