Suico bowls over Thai in style

CEBU — It could’ve been over in a round but Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) superfeatherweight champion Randy Suico took longer than usual to work up a sweat in halting Thai challenger Muangfahlek Kiatwichien before 5,000 fans at the jampacked Lapu-Lapu City Sports Complex here Wednesday night.

Suico, 25, toyed with Muangfahlek in the first few rounds before going for the kill as the crowd cheered the Mandaue folk hero from start to finish.

The end came at 1:53 of the fourth in the scheduled 12-rounder.

Suico trapped Muangfahlek along the ropes and unleashed a brutal barrage that shut the lights out on the hapless Thai. A right uppercut to the chin, a right cross to the jaw and a left hook to the kisser got the job done. The impact of Suico’s blows left Muangfahlek sprawled on the ring apron.

Referee Bruce McTavish didn’t bother to count. Games and Amusements Board (GAB) physician Dr. Nasser Cruz rushed into the ring to examine Muangfahlek and declared the Thai out of danger a few minutes later.

Suico, ranked No. 3 by the World Boxing Council behind No. 1 Erik Morales and No. 2 Manny Pacquiao, stalked Muangfahlek from the opening bell. The Thai repeatedly motioned to Suico to come close as he stood his ground, waiting to counter. Suico obliged without hesitation.

Showing little footwork, Muangfahlek was a sitting duck. Suico measured his punches and controlled the action with his rapier-like left jab. He turned the Thai into a human punching bag. Muangfahlek never laid a glove on Suico.

Suico’s Japanese manager Joe Koizumi, working his corner, said Muangfahlek was tougher than he looked.

"His strategy was to bait Randy to come close so he could throw his right," said Koizumi. "Randy got a good workout. He was a bit slow but he showed a lot of power. I want Randy to be a boxer-puncher not just a puncher. I want him to fight like Alexis Arguello."

Suico said he had difficulty hitting Muangfahlek because of the Thai’s unorthodox style. He waited patiently for an opening. And when it came, it was curtains for Muangfahlek whose record dipped to 10-5 with 7 KOs.

Suico’s purse was $7,000 while the Thai earned $3,000.

Muangfahlek’s manager Narong Hengtrakul had no excuses. "My boy fought like a Muay Thai fighter," he said. "He wasn’t scared of Randy and didn’t back off. He’s not as good as Randy. He’s now 34 years old. You know, we keep the best Thai fighters in Thailand."

Suico’s trainer Juanito Ablaca said he expected more from his ward. Ablaca disclosed that Suico shed off 15 pounds in a month to make the superfeatherweight limit of 130 and gorged himself with food after the weigh-in the day before. The eating binge appeared to slow him down in the fight. Ablaca said Suico’s reflexes were slow.

The win raised Suico’s record to 23-1 with 20 KOs. The only blemish was a split decision loss to Mzonke Fana in Johannesburg last year. Fana was decked twice and nearly out on his feet in the final round but managed to survive. Koizumi said Suico would’ve won on points anywhere else in the world.