Stamp Kiatniwat will defend his interim WBA World flyweight title in a rematch with Gregorio Lebron over a scheduled 12 rounds in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, February 5.
Kiatniwat, who turned 18 on January 7, is a three-year, undefeated pro (14-0, 6 KOs) who won the title last July by beating Lebron via controversial majority decision. First-ranked by the WBA, the Thai won the title at 17, boxing’s second youngest champ after Wilfredo Benitez.
His 33-year-old opponent is a five-year ring vet (13-3, 11 KOs) who’s won five of his last six and has only been stopped once, in his very first fight, knocked out in the fourth by Luis Cosme in January 2011. Prior to his loss to Kiatniwat, “Piche Malo” was last defeated in January 2013, beaten by Julio Cesar Paniagua via unanimous decision. Fourth-ranked by the WBA, the Dominican most recently won in September 2014, knocking out Angelo Munoz in the fourth for the vacant WBA Fedelatin flyweight title.
“This time we are not leaving it in the judges’ hands,” says Lebron trainer Angel “Chicho” Castillo. “Gregorio is winning by knockout!”
Should Lebron indeed win, he would be the Dominican Republic’s fourth WBA titleholder.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
