Friday at Wenzou Gym in Wenzhou, China, WBA World super bantamweight champion Nehomar Cermeño (24-5-1, 14 KOs), from Panama City, Panama, by way of Barcelona, Venezuela, successfully defend his newly acquired 122-pound title by stopping previously unbeaten WBA-PABA super bantamweight champion Anurak Thisa (17-1, 5 KOs), from Bangkok, Thailand, ranked #15 by the WBA.

The scores were 20-18 (Takashi Shimakawa) and 19-19 twice (Gustavo Padilla and Raul Caiz Jr.) at the time of the knockout.

Cermeño has become a fan favorite in China since he came, saw, and conquered Xiao Jun Qiu in Beijing last June with a dramatic TKO stoppage in the 12th and final round. His first defense of the title, last night in Beijing, signaled his return to the scene of battle, in his new home away from home among his many new followers and fans.

Cermeño wasted no time getting to work. Using the ring and peppering the challenger with combinations, he had Thisa on the defensive at the opening bell. Thisa gained some ground in round two, but a big overhand right followed by a left hook knocked him down and out at 2:13 of round three.

“This time we changed the strategy,” said Cermeño’s trainer Rodolfo Blasser. “We knew the opponent was younger, so we decided to attack from the start and there are the results.”

Coach Celso Chavez seconded that emotion.

“We prepared Cermeño,” he said. “We made him stronger so he could finish the fight early. From the beginning we saw that the boy (Thisa) was dominated and it was a matter of time before the knockout happened.”

Kina Malpartida was the WBA supervisor.

Bruce McTavish was the third man in the ring.

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.