Srisaket Sor Rungvisai edges Juan Francisco Estrada in war to claim RING championship

Sor Rungvisai (right) tags Estrada in their first battle. Photo: Twitter @HBOboxing

Feb

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Srisaket Sor Rungvisai did it again.

In another thrilling 115-pound title fight, the Thai native once again asserted his dominance, this time with a narrow victory over Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday in the HBO main event.

One judge scored it even, 114-114, overruled by tallies of 115-113 and 117-111 for Sor Rungvisai, who claimed the vacant RING junior bantamweight championship with the majority decision victory.

“It was a very good fight, he hits very hard and I like his style – I know I won the fight,” said Sor Rungvisai. “The difference between now and other points in my career is now I have the support of the people of Thailand. I will fight anybody at 115, including giving Estrada a rematch if that’s what he wants.”

Sor Rungvisai (44-4-1, 39 knockouts) piled up points over the first half of the bout with aggression and clean punching. The man who scored a spectacular knockout of Roman Gonzalez in September once again looked like one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

But the Mexican found his footing in Round 8 and began to throw more frequently and with more authority. The punches found their mark, but Sor Rungvisai never wavered. Instead, he elected to trade with Estrada (36-3-0, 25 KOs) in the middle of the ring with several close rounds.

They finished with a rousing 12th round, with both men emptying their tanks, and it was Sor Rungvisai who came out on top.