Lopez up against Pinoy tormentor in 'Bakbakan'

MANILA, Philippines - Sylvester Lopez will face a scrappy and resilient Thai challenger who has the reputation of being a tormentor of Filipino boxers when he stakes his WBC international super flyweight crown against Wandee Singwangcha on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

The 30-year-old Thai veteran, who arrives today together with compatriot prizefighter Sooksan Chaichan Sangmuangloei, has beaten all but one of the Filipino boxers he has faced in racking up a record of 62 wins, 14 by knockout, 11 losses and one draw. 

Singwangcha’s only loss to a Pinoy pug was in May last year to Marvin Sonsona, who stopped him in two rounds to capture the then vacant WBO Oriental flyweight belt at the Cebu Coliseum.

Since that defeat, however, the Thai has been busy and racked up six straight wins, the last three within four rounds, while beating three Filipinos – Brix Ray, Joel Rafols and Edwin Tumbaga – along the way.

Singwangcha has also defeated other name Filipino boxers such as Juanito Rubillar and Fernando Lumacad – which makes him a dangerous foe for the youthful Lopez in the “Bakbakan sa Elorde” card promoted by Elorde International Productions and supported by Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares Jr.

The 22-year-old pride from Kabalasan, Zamboanga Sibugay is making his second title defense of the belt he won on April 5, 2009 with an eighth-round technical knockout win over South Korean Jong Nam-Park.

Lopez, whose nickname is Silver, is also a boxer on a roll, having won nine consecutive bouts, seven of them via the short route, since losing a close split decision to Smalben Bujas in a four-rounder nearly four years ago as he was coming up the ranks.