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Published on July 19, 2007

Pongsaklek Krating Daeng Gym's seven-year reign as World Boxing Council flyweight champion came to a shock end when Japan's Daisuke Naito defied all odds to seal an unlikely points victory over the Thai in front of a sell-out crowd at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo yesterday.

It was third time lucky for the No-6 contender, who was previously on the receiving end of a Pongsaklek battering in their past two meetings. Naito's victory snapped Pongsaklek's 56-match winning streak dating back to 1996, which included 17 defences of the WBC title that he claimed in 2001.

Pongsaklek was obviously shell-shocked by the defeat to an opponent who had lasted no longer than the seventh round in their previous meetings. The fact that Naito was the same opponent that the Nakhon Ratchasima-born fighter had once taken only 34 seconds to demolish in what was the fastest knockout in flyweight division history, made the Japanese's victory almost unthinkable.

Naito quickly put paid to any thoughts of a routine Pongsaklek victory as he put in a dogged performance, refusing to be an easy target and at times letting go with loaded weapons at the centre of the ring in pulsating exchanges before clinching the unanimous decision his performance merited.

After the bell sounded at the end of the 12th and final round, Naito's camp soaked their fighter with water in advance celebration, as they felt their man had incredibly managed to hang on for a shock result despite a fierce late burst from Pongsaklek. A deafening roar from the partisan crowd then filled the arena when the emcee announced the outcome.

Judges Stephen Blea of the United States and Bruce McTavish of the Philippines scored the fight 116-113, while another American - Hubert Minn - had it 115-113 in favour of the Japanese.

Even Naito seemed unable to believe the result that many had deemed inconceivable, as he pinched himself when the belt was put around his waist. Meanwhile, Pongsaklek appeared magnanimous in defeat as he congratulated Naito and raised the hand of the new champion in triumph.

"I just fought without thinking anything else, and I wasn't sure of winning or losing. I suddenly got tired in the ninth round, but I managed to keep fighting. I was thinking of retiring if I had lost," said Naito.

Pongsaklek, who was taken to hospital to receive stitches for a cut sustained above his left eye in the third round, was disappointed he was unable to return home with the belt.

"I was truly beaten. In any sport, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Naito was the same boxer when I fought him before, except that now he is mentally stronger," said Pongsaklek.

"It's disappointing to lose the title, but I'm going to keep fighting in this class for three more years.

"I owe an apology to the Thai people. I let them down with this defeat. He [Naito] did a good job. I could not box to the plan.

"If I have another chance, I promise I will bring the title back to the country," said the gloomy-looking ex-champ.

Manager Virat Vajiratana-wongse was disappointed at the sluggish display by Pongsaklek, particularly in the ninth round when he wobbled Naito with a series of punches but failed to finish the Japanese off.

"We have two more fights in the contract with the Japanese side. Both Pongsaklek and Phanomraunglek [Krating Daeng Gym] could get a world title shot. I give you my word that I will try to claim the belt back," said Virat.

The loss deprived Pongsak-lek of the enticing prospect of facing International Boxing Federation flyweight champion Nonito Donaire of the Philippines in a unification encounter.

The 29-year-old's record now drops to 65 wins and three losses, while Naito has improved to 31 wins, two draws and two losses.

Pongsaklek's loss also means there is currently no Thai world champion in any of the recognised boxing organisations.