Santa Cruz (24-1) overpowered Japan's Chikashi Inada to record his 14th knockout and is now lined up to meet Sirimongkol to determine who will fight the current holder, Diego Corrales.

And although Corrales intends to move up to the junior welterweight division, he will fight arch-rival Jose Luis Castillo one more time. That means that either Santa Cruz or Sirimongkol will rule the lightweight roost when Corrales and Castillo eventually go up a weight.

Sirimongkol's manager Naris Singwangcha flew to Los Angeles to secure a title match-up for the Thai champion, who has been diagnosed with carrying a low strain of hepatitis B. The stringent drug tests in the US disqualify any fighter competing who has hepatitis B.

Asian Boxing Council President Pol Gen Kovid Bhakdibhumi said that various medical opinions had informed him that many Thais carry hepatitis B, which has been attributed to eating certain raw foods.

"The low strain of hepatitis B is common around Thailand. It not something that is endangering to health but, unfortunately, it does stop some of our quality boxers fighting in the USA," he said.

In recent years testing for hepatitis B has been improved considerably and all strains of the virus can now be detected well in advance of scheduled contests.

Meanwhile, Thailand's WBC world flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wongjonkam - who is heading for Hall of Fame honours with a 15th title defence - has been ordered to fight South Africa's No 1 contender Monelisi Myekeni.

Pongsaklek has been accused of ducking top contenders and has been officially instructed by the WBC to fight Myekeni in a mandatory defence.

Patrick Cusick

The Nation