WBC minimumweight champion Wanheng Menayothin is expected to extend his unbeaten record to 51 wins when he meets Pedro Taduran of the Philippines in Nakhon Sawan today.
A victory for the 32-year-old Thai in his 10th title defence will see the Dwarf Giant beat Floyd Mayweather's 50-0 record.
The 105-pound champion, known in Thailand as Wanheng Kaiyanghadaogym, is heavy favourite against the challenger who is dubbed the Rattle Snake.
Wanheng, whose real name is Chayaphon Moonsri, weighed in yesterday at 105 pounds -- 1.2 pounds heavier than the 21-year-old Filipino who has fought professionally only 13 times with 12 wins and one loss.
Wanheng's handlers are already looking forward to his next bout which is expected to take place in Japan.
Wanheng's promoter Piyarat Vachirarattanawong said he had told his boxer to try to finish off the challenger as quickly as possible.
"I don't want him to get hurt or injured because we are in talks with Japanese promoters to arrange a fight in Japan,'' Piyarat said.
Wanheng cannot underestimate any Philippine boxer, Piyarat said and added that he is confident that the Maha Sarakham fighter will beat him.
While Taduran, who stands at 1.63m, is taller than Wanheng, who is 1.58m, his manager Suchaya Khaochotechuang is not worried about the disparity.
"I am confident that my boxer is good enough to retain the title," she said.
Taduran's trainer Tacy Macalos, a former world champion, said: "My boxer and I know how good Wanheng is. But we already have a plan to shock the whole of Thailand. You have to see it for yourselves."
Wanheng last fought in May when he stopped Leroy Estrada of Panama in the fifth round in Nakhon Ratchasima to match Mayweather's unblemished 50-0 record.
Wanheng is one of Thailand's only three reigning world boxing champions, with the other two being WBA miminumweight king Knockout CP Freshmart and WBC super-flyweight title-holder Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
Meanwhile, Japan's Kenshiro Teraji said yesterday he will make the fourth defence of his WBC light-flyweight title on Oct 7 against Milan Melindo of the Philippines.
The 26-year-old Teraji, who fights under the name Ken Shiro, is undefeated in 13 professional bouts with seven knockouts.
Melindo is a former world champion who has a record of 37-3.
"I have no fear of him," Teraji said. "If I can maintain the right distance, I will have no problems." bangkok post/kyodo
