Boxing: Thai sweats it out at weigh-in

By PETER JESSUP

A few grams of sweat made the difference for visiting Thai boxer Pongsith Wiangwiset at the weigh-in ahead of his super-featherweight title fight against undefeated Santos Pakau in Auckland.

There were some anxious moments for the Thai and his management yesterday when he initially failed to make the weight for the defence of his Pan Asian Boxing Association belt at Alexandra Park today.

Wiangwiset was more than 20g over the 58.978kg (130lbs) limit and had to spend the best part of half-an-hour outside the weigh-in room at the Logan Park hotel skipping in a tracksuit before trying again.

After a towel-down to remove perspiration, and stripped down to his underpants, he was still over. Off came the underpants. He was still over the mark by a minute amount. Another towel-down did it.

Pakau, who has dropped down from the 135lbs lightweight division where he holds the New Zealand title, has run 10km a day for the past six weeks to come down to the weight. He spent yesterday morning taking off the last few grams in much the same way as Wiangwiset but doing it in his own time, no pressure to meet the two-hour deadline from first step on the scales until being ruled out.

Pakau was the more relaxed yesterday, sitting quietly eating sandwiches and fruit while waiting to see if his opponent was going to make it.

When the shirts came off for the obligatory square-off Pakau and his management took another lift. The Thai, who looked hard and fast in the gym, lost the physique match-up with a smaller chest. He is slightly smaller, and Pakau has a small advantage in reach.

Wiangwiset is a southpaw who has represented Thailand at two Olympics and is 7-0 as a pro after winning the PABA title in his first paid fight. Pakau, yet to be sat down, is a skilful fighter with a big ambition. There is no real contest for him in New Zealand any more. This is his chance to make a name for himself that will be attractive for promoters in Australia and Asia as he seeks to move up the rankings.

On the undercard, Jamie Waru fights Rawiri Wiremu over six rounds at light-welterweight. Algerian Olympian Mohammed Azzouai goes up from cruiserweight to meet Aucklander Peau Lemaunga in a four-round heavyweight contest. Cory Burton fights Ricky Sharp over six rounds at lightweight. Six amateur bouts precede the professional contests, the show starting at 2pm.

The judges are Pinit Prayadsab from Thailand, WBA representative in New Zealand Frank Martinez and Clement Charlie of Vanuatu. Referee is Wheri Marsh.