Srisaket Sor Rungvisai Comes Home as National Hero

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai was mobbed by a joyous and adoring throng of fans, family and press, on touching down on Thai turf.

He superbly and spectacularly defended his World Boxing Council super flyweight crown by knocking out Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in the main event of the “SUPERFLY” card at the StubHub Center of Carson, California

With this victory, Sor Rungvisai improved his record to 43-4-1, with 39 knockouts while Gonzalez saw his record adjust to 46-2 with 38 KO’s.

Dedicated, delighted, yet still characteristically modest, he said: “It’s a pleasure for me to be received in this way. That fight was for my country, dedicated to all Thailand. This triumph was an example of everything is possible if you believe and persevere. I am very grateful for so many blessings.”

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai knocked out Roman Gonzalez in the fourth round last Saturday with a devastating right hook to retain his WBC super flyweight world title in his second straight win over the former champ.

Thailand’s Srisaket knocked ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez down twice in the final round, finishing the challenger off with a right hook with 1:45 to go in the fourth.

Gonzalez, of Nicaragua, stayed on the canvas for a couple of minutes. After rising slowly he had to be helped to his corner stool.

The first knockdown came 42 seconds earlier when southpaw Srisaket landed a similar short right hook to the side of the head. Gonzalez was able to get up at the count of seven and continue — but looked out of sorts.

The 30-year-old Srisaket went to work quickly in the first round, easily landing combinations and body shots — the fruits of months of intense training in the gym for the most important fight of his career.

The Thai dynamo silenced critics who had claimed his majority decision win in the first fight six months ago in New York was a fluke and the result of accidental head butts.

Both fighters came out swinging from the opening bell in Saturday’s 115-pound rematch at the outdoor StubHub Center stadium, as it became apparent in the early rounds that Srisaket was in charge and the fight likely would not go the distance.

Srisaket (44-4-1, 40 KOs) said he wanted to make his country proud.

Gonzalez, who dropped to 46-2 overall, was taken to the hospital immediately after the fight for medical treatment.

He was trying to avenge the only loss of his career against Srisaket but he failed to put up any defense against the onslaught of the Thai’s superior punches.

The former pound-for-pound division king has had several gruelling fights in recent years, which have taken a heavy toll on his 30-year-old body.

Source: Photos: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai Comes Home as National Hero – Boxing News