Petchchorhae Kokietgym (13-0, 8KOs)
vs
Iwan Zoda (6-1, 5KOs)
interim WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight title
Zoda brutally stopped Petch
Crazy fast brutal pace in this one... Petchchorhae ran out of juice, had trouble keeping his hands up in round 11. The ref let Petchchorhae take WAY WAY too many punishment... hope he will be alright but doubt it, the 11th and 12th round were as brutal as it is possible. Should've been stopped way before.
A good friend of mine tipped me off as Zoda being, potentially, the next Indonesian star and he really impressed today. I remember being impressed by him in the first Petchchorhae bout but had the feeling that he'd need a lot of time to really build on his ability, didn't expect them to send him back to Thailand 11 months after first bout and do...THAT.
Not sure what was most impressive, his engine, his desire, the way he took Petchchohae's best shots and hardly blinked, the way he performed in Thailand (which I stand by being the most difficult place to fight) or the brutality of those uppercutts in the final few rounds.
Not been a good time for Thai fighters with Kongfah CP Freshmart, Ratchasak KKP, Pigmy Kokietgym and now Petchchorhae all being stopped in recent weeks by fighters who have come with desire. Been great to watch though.
Interestingly Zoda was linked to a fight with Yaegashi back in August, really glad that didn't come through as it'd have been too much for Zoda at this stage (Said M Said got the fight instead after Hara was "pulled" from the card) but I can see him mixing at a high level in the near future. No need to rush the kid though.
Apparently the plan is for him to defend his title in November in Indonesia so could be worth keeping an eye out for that one.
Amazing fight, Zoda seemed GREAT, he avenged his loss. I dont know much about the guy but does anybody know if he will leave Thailand/Indonesia for a promotion company in the US?
Aaronide_ger wrote:Amazing fight, Zoda seemed GREAT, he avenged his loss. I dont know much about the guy but does anybody know if he will leave Thailand/Indonesia for a promotion company in the US?
Not much interest in Flyweights in America, probably head to Japan or the Philippines I'd guess.
Petchchorhae had showed such promise before that. I had him amongst the most talented prospects about to emerge from the country. Not only he had good hands but his defensive movement was amongst the best in Asian countries.
He really came unprepared strategically, not respecting Zoda enough on a 12 round format and paid for it. Zoda showed world class execution and lucidity, being rational and breaking Petchchorhae mentally and physically. REALLY impressed by what i saw from him.
Aaronide_ger wrote:Amazing fight, Zoda seemed GREAT, he avenged his loss. I dont know much about the guy but does anybody know if he will leave Thailand/Indonesia for a promotion company in the US?
Not much interest in Flyweights in America, probably head to Japan or the Philippines I'd guess.
At least get somw exposure in Japan, because its a shame if he doesnt get some recognision and keeps fighting in Thailand.. Perhaps fight in Mexico? Why not? Just Like Estrada and chocolatito (Before he debuted in the US)
Also im 100% sure none will take this fight into consideration as FOTY which is a huge shame.. Just like they didnt Make Inoue fighter of the year.. Because he deserved it more than Crawford or Kovalev if u ask me..
See I though Kongfah had his best rounds in 5 and 6, started moving more, Higa struggled to land...then came out roaring and got the stoppage. Both were amazing fights though.
Wish the Thai fighter had been pulled... totally exhausted.. hope he will come back and learn from this fight... the Thais have been taking a beating but will keep producing decent talent at the lower levels year after year... just need to start increasing their competition a bit earlier before they get the big fights...
