Obscure RP fighter holds own vs Thai

BANGKOK – Little-known Filipino fighter David Plana made news here Tuesday when he knocked down WBC super-bantamweight No. 1 contender Napapol Kiatisakchokchai in the final round of what’s supposedly a warm-up bout for the Thai for his coming title fight with Mexican champion Israel Vasquez.

The local fighter, with 42 wins in 44 bouts, was barely saved by the bell and salvaged a draw.

Richard Laano, another Filipino fighter, lost by points to Veeraphol Sahaprom in their 12-round bout for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council bantamweight title.

The scores were 118-110, 119-109 and 117-111 for Sahaprom.

With a 2-3 win-loss record as a pro, Plana was supposed to be an easy prey for Kiatisakchokchai.

But Plana hammered  Kiatisakchokchai around the ring and sent the Thai to the canvas twice in the final round.

Kiatisakchokchai still looked disoriented when the decision of a draw was announced.

It could have been an easy win for Plana if the bout was held elsewhere and not in Thailand, known for its dubious hometown decisions in boxing.

Plana’s record with boxrec.com showed he had never fought outside of the Philippines before.

A native of Leyte, Plana has won two bouts against Julius Tarona and Joebert Zamora and lost to Edgar Gabejan, Joan de Guia and Glenn Gonzales.