Hard work paid off for Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday in Thailand.
The former two-time junior bantamweight titleholder, who hadn’t fought since he lost his belt to Juan Francisco Estrada in April of last year, looked rusty against clever countryman Amnat Ruenroeng at Workpoint Studio in Bang Phun.
However, by the middle rounds, Sor Rungvisai (48-5-1, 41 KOs) was throwing and landing at high rate and took firm control of the fight. He won a unanimous decision, 97-94, 96-93 and 99-91.
Ruenroeng (20-4, 6 KOs) didn’t look like a 40-year-old fighter at any time of the fight, particularly in the early rounds. The former flyweight champ was an elusive target and countered the 33-year-old Sor Rungvisai’s attacks well, frustrating the winner.
Sor Rungvisai, always willing to take punches in order to land them, simply continued to unload punches at a furious rate and, ultimately, there was nothing Ruenroeng could do to stop him. Sor Rungvisai never seriously hurt Ruenroeng, which might’ve been a surprise given his power, but he landed more than enough punches to win rounds.
“I’m satisfied with my performance,” Sor Rungvisai said through a translator. “Amnat prepared very well. He was 100 percent. So it was a great fight.”
It’s no secret who Sor Rungvisai, ranked No. 14 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, wants to fight as soon as possible – No. 9 Estrada, who took his title by a close, but unanimous decision in Los Angeles.
That fight was a rematch. Sor Runvisai defeated Estrada by a majority decision in February 2018.
Estrada, who is quarantine after contracting COVID-19, told ESPN Deportes that he plans to fight next on Oct. 17, against either Carlos Cuadras or Roman Gonzalez. However, Sor Rungvisai will be eagerly waiting for his turn.
“I would like to get the WBC … title back to Thailand,” he said. “I want to say a few words to Estrada: We will meet soon, for sure.”