The Lampang-born boxer rose to stardom earlier this year when he bravely fought back from the threshold of defeat to knock out then champion Mahyar Monshipour of France, dubbed "Little Tyson", in the 10th round.

However, only six months later the 29-year-old was quickly brought down to earth in his first title defence by the highly-rated Panamanian, who proved to be a class apart with faster punches and quick footwork.

In the opening round both fighters remained tentative, despite some late bursts from the lanky contender, who tried to make the most of his reach advantage.

The bout livened up in the next round as Somsak, who was cheered on by the partisan crowd, upped the ante and tried to land body shots on his opponent. However, whenever Somsak moved close, the Panamanian used stinging jabs to upset him before stepping away.

The crowd was silenced at the makeshift arena in the third round when Caballero floored the Thai with a right uppercut for the eight count. Like a shark scenting blood, the contender pounced on the staggering Somsak and downed him for second time with a huge straight right to the face.

Somsak gritted his teeth and got back on his feet, but Caballero did not miss his chance and closed in on the reeling champion, finishing him off with a string of fierce punches.

"I accept the defeat as he [Caballero] caught me with huge punches from the first count till the last one. I did not really expect him to be so dangerous," said Somsak, who was reportedly sent to hospital with a suspected broken nose.

The result improved Caballero's record to 25-0-2, with 18 knockouts, while Somsak dropped to 46-1-2.

Tyson set for return

nNotorious former world heavyeight champion Mike Tyson began collecting money for his comeback when tickets went on sale in Youngstown, Ohio, yesterday for his October 20 ring return in a four-round bout.

Mike Tyson's World Tour, a series of four-round exhibitions, opens with a fight in Youngstown, Ohio, at a 6,000-seat arena against former sparring partner Corey Sanders, a far cry from the glory days the convicted rapist once enjoyed.

Now the 40-year-old American hopes to capitalise upon his fame and his need for a fitness regime.

"I was a little overweight, smoking too much, and I started to get in shape," Tyson said. "I was training in Las Vegas and 2,000 people a day were there. Why not do an exhibition?

"Once I started training, the stress left. I'm not slurring. I'm not angry. Life's lessons are priceless. I'm happy to be here. I'm truly nervous. I haven't done this for a while."

Tyson, 50-6 with 44 knockouts, has not fought since quitting after six rounds against Kevin McBride at Washington in June of 2005 and immediately announcing his retirement. He has kept a low profile since then.

"I learned life is short and very unpredictable," Tyson said. "You have to stay humble and not get too emotional. I'm trying to keep my cool."

Tyson could become the King of the Four-Rounders if he can recapture past form and lives up to his pre-fight promotional hype of 100 four-round fights across the world.

"One hundred times four is as many rounds as I fought my whole career," Tyson said. "This tour is going all over the world - Europe, Asia, Middle East - everybody is bidding in anticipation."

Tyson, who made hundreds of millions of dollars in the ring, said he remains in a "financial quagmire" but that this comeback is more about improving his outlook more than his bank balance. "The money I make [on the tour] isn't going to help my bills, but I'll feel better and won't be depressed," Tyson said.

No other dates have been announced for the comeback tour, although promoter Sterling McPherson promises the comeback will meet its global aspirations.

"We're giving the public all over the world a chance to watch him box again," McPherson said.

Kitinan Sanguansak

 The Nation