Pongsaklek gets Naito re-match

Record-breaking Thai Pong-saklek Wongjongkam will get a chance to win back his WBC flyweight title from Japan's Daisuke Naito early next year, his promoters said yesterday. Pongsaklek, who made 17 title defences in six years, will face Naito (32-2-2)...

Record-breaking Thai Pong-saklek Wongjongkam will get a chance to win back his WBC flyweight title from Japan's Daisuke Naito early next year, his promoters said yesterday.

Pongsaklek, who made 17 title defences in six years, will face Naito (32-2-2) in Thailand in the final week of January, promoter Piyarat Wachirattanawong told Reuters.

He said both parties had agreed to the re-match, which will take place in either Bangkok or Saraburi.

The eagerly-awaited bout will be Pongsaklek's first sanctioned fight since July, when a much-improved Naito left the 11-years undefeated Thai stunned when he took his belt in Tokyo.

Pongsaklek (66-3-0) was expected to make a routine title defence having twice knocked out Naito, the first time in 2002 in a record 34 seconds.

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