WBC super-flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has vowed to knock out Mexican challenger Juan Francisco Estrada when they meet in a rematch in Los Angeles next month.
Srisaket's manager Surachart Pisitwuttinan announced at a press conference yesterday that the Thai champion will return to the ring to defend his 115-pound title for the fourth time against Estrada at the Forum on April 26.
"Srisaket is laser-focused on preparing for the rematch," Surachart said.
The title-holder, known in Thailand as Srisaket Nakornloung Promotion, beat Estrada with a majority decision at the same venue in February last year.
The 12th round of the fight was named the Round of the Year by the WBC.
"I am confident that Srisaket will successfully defend the title again,'' Surachart said.
Srisaket, 32, said: "Every defence of the title is important for me. I will do my best and I am confident that I will be able to stop him before the distance."
The champion has a record of 47 wins (41KOs), one draw and four losses."
"I take all of my fights seriously because I am representing Thailand. I will give this upcoming rematch against Estrada everything I have to win to make all Thais proud of me once again," he said.
"I know what is at stake, so I would appreciate if everyone continues giving me support and cheering me to win this important title match."
Srisaket, whose real name is Wisaksil Wang-ek, became an international star when he dethroned previously unbeaten Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua at New York City's Madison Square Garden in March 2017.
Following a 12-round bloody slugfest, two judges scored 114-112 in favour of the Thai and the other saw it a 113-113 draw.
Gonzalez said he believed he won the contest.
A rematch was held at StubHub Center in Carson, California later that year and this time Srisaket erased any doubts by knocking out Gonzalez in the fourth round.
Srisaket last fought in October when he comfortably beat Mexican's Iran Diaz on points in Bangkok in his third defence of the crown.
Estrada, 28, has a record of 38 wins (26KOs) and three losses.
Srisaket is one of Thailand's only three reigning world boxing champions, with the other two being WBC minimumweight title-holder Wanheng Menayothin and WBA minimumweight king Knockout CPF.
