Thai boxer Wanheng Menayothin knocks out Panamanian Leroy Estrada
Defends WBC minimumweight title and equals Floyd Mayweather Jr's record
Thai boxer Wanheng Menayothin knocked out Panamanian Leroy Estrada in the fifth round and defended the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title, equaling the record of American Floyd Mayweather Jr. with 50 wins and no losses.
In the main event of the fight held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Menayothin sent his opponent to the canvas five times and secured his ninth title defense, confirming himself as one of the most solid champions in boxing today.
In addition to his victory in front of WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán, the Asian boxer (50-0, 18 KOs) matched the record of 'Money' Mayweather Jr, although both are far from the 87-0 record achieved by Mexican Julio César Chávez.
Menayothin dominated the fight from start to finish. He punished his opponent's face from the first round and showed clear superiority as the minutes passed. In the third round, he knocked down the Central American fighter twice, who was saved by the bell.
The Panamanian fighter went down twice again in the fourth round and the champion's advantage was total, as shown by the judges' scorecards at the end of the round, with scores of 39-33, 39-33, and 40-32.
Supported by his fans, Menayothin went for the victory in the fifth round and with a combination of uppercuts, hooks, and a final right hand, ended Estrada's hopes in his 50th professional win, while Estrada's record fell to 16-3, with six knockouts.