Letter from Mr. Edward Thangarajah:
Dr. Jose Sulaiman
President
World Boxing Council
Mexico City, Mexico
***** **** *******
Dear Sir:
The WBC has done well again. It has proved to the world and to all boxing fans in Thailand that it stands for promoting boxing at its best.
The Pongsaklek Wonjongkam-Julio Cesar Miranda flyweight clash was a superb advertisement for boxing in Thailand and the world. It exposed two magnificent styles of boxing, the classical style as exposed by Pongsaklek and the hard-punching style as unfolded by Miranda.
Unfortunately it was Pongsaklek with his rich experience, as former champion, who had made a record 17 defenses, who came out on top. Miranda did throw many hard punches, but Pongsaklek with his bobbing and weaving style of boxing stayed away from trouble and earned the nod of the judges.
Brian McMohan (Australia) had him win 117-111, Reynante (Philippines) 119-110 and Dr.James Jenkin scored the fight 120-109. It was unanimous.
However, this wide margin of scores does not in anyway reflect the plucky and fighting performance unfolded by Miranda.
He fought like a Trojan but was unlucky that he did not carry sharp punches. Many of the punches failed to reach their target.
Nevertheless, he held the crowd in raptures with his never-say-die action, so much so they expected him to make a comeback late in the fight.
But Ponsaklek cleverly counter-punched. As a result, the telling punches Miranda threw, failed to connect.
Miranda also did very well to pin Pongsaklek to the ropes and threw two hard lefts to Pongsaklek’s body which made the Thai wince, but he took them and well fortified by his experience, bobbed and weaved his way to victory.
It was a hot day and the high temperature also affected the performances of both fighters.
Nevertheless, they fought gamely and with their toe-to-toe action, earned the plaudits of the crowd.
It is true Pongsaklek was the winner by Miranda has carved a niche in the hearts of boxing loving Thai fans with his heroic performance.
His name will never be forgotten. Fans will remember him as the brave, never-say-die, hard-punching pugilist from Mexico, who fought hard with his tough style of fighting.
I enjoyed the contest but I wish Miranda delivered his punches sharply to match his fighting-style.
May the Great GOD Bless You.
Edward Thangarajah
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