Second bite at the cherry: Panya Pradabsri vs. Norihito Tanaka II
By James Blears
World Boxing Council Straw Weight Champion Panya Pradabsri (39-1,23 Ko`s) defends his title for the fourth time, in Rayong, Thailand on June 28th, and on this occasion against a familiar face, as he`ll be fighting Norihito Tanaka (20-9, 10 KO`s).
These two clashed on August 30th last year and the champion won a UD. The scores were 118-110, 116-112 and 119-110. On paper it appears a comfortable, easy victory, but studying the tape of the fight proves otherwise. For a golden oldie veteran, Japan`s Tanaka led Panya a spritely merry dance, attacking from the first bell to the last clarion chime in the twelfth.
Panya who`s five feet four inches tall is four inches loftier than the short compact Japanese fighter, who had to get in real close to land his punches. In so doing he was precisely even surgically picked off by the champion, who caught him to the head with combinations, uppercuts and went downstairs with an effective body attack. But this didn`t, judder, slow or deter the sturdy veteran, who kept coming and landing some of his own punches, especially the right hook. It proved to be a spruce, demanding workout for Panya, who kept his wits about him and prevailed. Easy and plain sailing, it wasn`t.
Panya was supposed to fight Yudai Shigeoka on April 16th, at the Yoyogi National Gym in Tokyo. The only other time he`d ever strayed and ventured outside of his homeland of Thailand, was when he lost a MD to ex WBC Champion Chaozhong Xiong, way back on October 3rd, 2017 at Datong University Gym in China. But before this scheduled fight against Shigeoka, Panya fell ill, being hospitalized with strep throat and a fever. Shigeoka fought anyway, defeating Wilfredo Mendez for the WBC Interim title, by seventh round KO. If Panya wins this upcoming bout, Shigeoka who`s waiting patiently, must be next on the list.
Tanaka who`s tenth ranked by the WBC has previously unsuccessfully twice contested a world title. This is his third and final try. If he wins aged thirty eight and four months, he would shatter Hozumi Hasegawa`s record as the oldest Japanese world champion at thirty five years and nine months. Carefully weighing up the dotage challenge he says: “Considering my age, this will be my last chance to win a world title. I`ve been training well and I`m going to give it my all to take the belt from him.”
Not an easy task ahead for an oldie and goldie who`s no longer green! While Panya, who`s still thirty two, has already accumulated a wealth of experience. He fought more than two hundred Muay Thai bouts before switching to boxing. In November 2020, he won a convincing UD, to shear the title from the head of vastly experienced Wanheng Menayothin who was then 54-0, 18 KO`s and in a rematch , delayed by his own Father`s passing and the following period of mourning, he repeated the feat, but even more impressively on the scorecards.
At this weight category there aren`t exactly an ample, boundless or endless multitude supply of opponents. But one of the biggest challenges, is strictly and unwaveringly maintaining the weight. Years ago, the great Ricardo “Finito” Lopez confided, that he followed a Spartan oriental type of diet. No chocs, nor bread potatoes or any hint of dessert. And strictly no lapses, even on Christmas Day or New Year`s Eve. Ricardo who was relatively tall for the category at almost five feet six, was never more than a couple of pounds above the division`s stipulated limit out of competition, come rain or shine. Refraining from weight drain. It was never an issue, his enemy or rival. He made sure of that.
Ten months ago Tanaka caught too much leather incoming, before he was able to land any meaningful reply punches of his own. The ratio appeared at least three to one. To stand any chance he`ll have to attack sooner and in a more sustained manner. Panya is a highly intelligent fighter who learns quickly.
This time he`ll avoid being driven to the ropes, backed up or cornered, and resist the temptation to fight toe to toe, by using his longer reach to pick off the short stature five footer. His superior hand speed, timing and ring generalship should serve him better second time around. It`s going to be tougher for the veteran!
Panya got hit with some decent shots last time, but he didn`t panic or instinctively retaliate, patiently biding his time and picking his openings with care and effective guile. On this occasion he will need to establish himself appreciably earlier and soften up the ageing Japanese fighter with more numerous clusters of sinking body shots.
Tanaka can consider himself rather lucky to get this second bite at the cherry and a windfall opportunity in the twilight of his career. For him it must now be absolutely all or nothing. A good attempt/wild stab in the dark, won`t be anywhere near enough. Unless the Old Man takes big risks to hook and reel in the prize catch, he`ll be all at sea…and he well knows it!
Again, on paper, this should be plain sailing on a light sea breeze for Panya. But when an opponent hasn`t got time left, has nothing to really lose, but absolutely everything to gain, it can be a dangerously unpredictable scenario.
Is Hasegawa`s record in jeopardy? We`re soon going to find out.
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