BoxRec

How do ppl rate the former WBC (and briefly WBA) bantam champ, from Thailand?

Lots of WBC title defenses, not all of them good - an understatement. But a couple of good wins over Tatsuyoshi, and a guy he fought 4x - Nishioka - has recently won the WBC belt up at 122. Veeraphol lost the title in a great fight, narrowly, to Hasegawa, losing the rematch by one-punch KO. Aso had the WBA title in something like his 5th pro fight, which he lost right away.

Veeraphol was an excellent fighter, significantly better that Wonjongkam I would argue, but doesn't seem to be as fondly remembered as, for instance, Khaosai Galaxy...

He coulda' been great, but he kind of Joe Calzaghed his title reign, but with Nishioka having a resurgence, people might take notice of him.

I always thought Sahaprom's record was padded with horribly crappy defenses and that he avoided the best in the division. In hindsight, he had some pretty good defenses (some of the Nishioka fights were compelling, Vargas was a quality opponent, Barajas was flawed but highly thought of). His opposition was better than Pong's, which was for the most part atrocious when he was champion. Also, I may be wrong, but I don't remember Sahaprom flat out ignoring a tough mandatory the way Pong did when Jorge Acre was the WBC's #1 contender

Sahaprom's opposition wasn't great, but compared to most Thai champions - Asian champions - he was spectacular. There aren't too many Chang Jung-koos and Fightings Harada out there.

When he lost the title to Hasegawa, he showed that stubbornness you sometimes see in a great old champ. Kind of reminded me of Pedroza-McGuigan. I think he was only edged by Hasegawa, who's gone on to be an excellent title holder. So hopefully that counts something toward him getting recognition.

How about the 2 stoppages over Tatsuyoshi to begin his WBC run - do they count as good wins, along with the Nishioka fights?

Also, was Veeraphol a bit unlucky - 2 wins and 2 DRAWS in Japan v Nishioka? I've seen one of those draws and it looked like a Veeraphol win, at least to me.

Autobarn wrote:When he lost the title to Hasegawa, he showed that stubbornness you sometimes see in a great old champ. Kind of reminded me of Pedroza-McGuigan. I think he was only edged by Hasegawa, who's gone on to be an excellent title holder. So hopefully that counts something toward him getting recognition.

How about the 2 stoppages over Tatsuyoshi to begin his WBC run - do they count as good wins, along with the Nishioka fights?

Also, was Veeraphol a bit unlucky - 2 wins and 2 DRAWS in Japan v Nishioka? I've seen one of those draws and it looked like a Veeraphol win, at least to me.

You're right, have to give him credit for giving a quality fighter like Hasegawa a hell of a fight the first time around (Pedroza-McGuigan was a great changing of the guard fight as well). Tatsuyoshi was on the verge of being shot when Veeraphol fought him and I always thought he was a little overrated, although he was wildly popular in Japan

Saw the endings of the 2 Tatsuyoshi fights. Some beautiful balance, speed, variety, and finishing skills, from Veeraphol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_wAtEvr ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpAjfnPNM0o

Yeah, it seems as though his legacy will ultimately rest upon what Hasegawa and Nishioka go on to do. On recent form, this actually looks promising. That, plus his longevity and consistency.

IMO, Veeraphol-Hasegawa 1 is a classic and it appeared a very close win for Hasegawa. 115-113 on 2 cards, & a slightly wide 116-112 on the other.

A massive "what if"

Veeraphol v Rafael Marquez - 2 outstanding champs at same weight with overlapping title reigns

Veeraphol faced some top Japanese fighters; Marquez beat some top Americans (Mark Johnson and Tim Austin).

Autobarn wrote:A massive "what if"

Veeraphol v Rafael Marquez - 2 outstanding champs at same weight with overlapping title reigns

Veeraphol faced some top Japanese fighters; Marquez beat some top Americans (Mark Johnson and Tim Austin).

I would put my money on Marquez, but it would have been a tremendous fight because Veeraphol could slug

wow, been watching Veeraphol-Nishioka 3 and what a war it is. Veeraphol was docked a point for a hard low blow early. Was deducted immediately, from one hard shot. If not he would have won, rather than the draw. 4th fight is gruelling and classy as well: fiercely competitive early, but Veeraphol batters him badly late, can't believe Nishioka was allowed to go the distance. Would love to know what fights 1 & 2 are like! This is some serious action, as is Sahaprom-Hasegawa 1.

Even back then - 5-6 years ago - Nishioka was tough, skilled and very game. If a lesser champ than Veeraphol was around, then Nishioka would have been a champ years ago. Glad to see him KO tough Mexicans for a world title.

So Veeraphol had 16 title fights. Some definite soft touches, but 2 with Tatsuyoshi are credible, 4 with Nishioka very good, 2 losses to Hasegawa (1 narrow, 1 brutal) who's proved to be an excellent champ: didn't Hozumi humbly say that he was a bit lucky Veeraphol was getting old? Reckon Veeraphol needs re-evaluating somewhat. He didn't just have soft touches - as is presumed - and 1/2 his title bouts (8) are vs worthy comp in Japan, 6 vs southpaws.


How about Veeraphol v Wayne McCullough? Wayne vacated, struggling at the weight, a year or 2 before the Thai won the belt.

Reckon Sahaprom has a better resume & better fights at 118 than Orlando Canizales.

How would Veeraphol have fared in mythical matchup vs Khaosai Galaxy (Galaxy could've done bantam), Pongsaklek (would they have met half way at super fly?), and contemporaries (at super bantam) Somsak Sithchatchawal & Poonsaway Kratingdaenggym?