Srisaket Sor Rungvisai poised for success in 2018
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai gained a lot of fans in 2017 after dismantling Roman Gonzalez in their rematch. He looks to soar higher in 2018.
Super flyweights don’t get a lot of love in boxing, but Srisaket Sor Rungvisai proved to be a special boxer in 2017.
Roman Gonzalez, better known as “Chocolatito,” was considered as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in early 2017. He was undefeated in 46 fights and had 38 knockouts to his credit. He amazed fans with his rare combination of power and speed. Then, Sor Rungvisai changed everything.
In March of last year, Sor Rungvisai stunned fans by outboxing Gonzalez in a majority decision victory. Sor Rungvisai carried a 42-4 record into their first bout, but he lacked experience against top-tier opposition.
Many thought that Gonzalez would win their rematch in August, but Sor Rungvisai raised his status to elite level by dramatically knocking out Gonzalez in the fouth. Sor Rungvisai’s right hook looked lethal against Gonzalez. It is hard to tell if Sor Rungvisai has truly hit his prime at the age of 31 or if he looked spectacular because Gonzalez was secretly faded.
Sor Rungvisai will attempt to prove to fans on Saturday, Feb. 24 that he is as good as advertised. He faces talented contender Juan Francisco Estrada. The two have several common past opponents.
In 2014, Sor Rungvisai lost via technical decision to Carlos Cuadras after Cuadras was cut by a headbutt. This was Sor Rungvisai’s last loss.
Estrada fought Cuadras in 2017 and beat him by unanimous decision. He dropped Cuadras in the 10th.
Ironically, Estrada’s last loss came in 2012 to Roman Gonzalez. Chocolatito won by unanimous decision.
It is hard to predict a winner between Sor Rungvisai and Estrada based on their past performances against common opposition. Gonzalez was in his prime when he fought Estrada and was obviously declining when her fought Sor Rungvisai five years later.
On the other end, Sor Rungvisai is a much better and more experienced boxer today than when he lost to Cuadras on a technicality in 2014.
Estrada has a one-inch height advantage and a three-inch reach advantage over Sor Rungvisai. His slight physical advantages could give Sor Rungvisai some problems.
Sor Rungvisai’s biggest advantage over Estrada is that he’s a southpaw. Most conventional boxers don’t fight many southpaws, while Sor Rungvisai usually fights boxers with an orthodox stance. His advantage is strategic.
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He is also a more powerful puncher than Estrada. Sor Rungvisai has an 82 percent KO rating compared to Estrada’s 66 percent.
Even though Sor Rungvisai has an edge in power, this fight will most likely end in a decision. Estrada has never been knocked out, and Sor Rungvisai hasn’t been knocked out since his first two bouts in 2009.
Sor Rungvisai should win this fight, but Estrada is a difficult game opponent. This is an interesting matchup which should prove eventful for fight fans. If Sor Rungvisai wins, his legend will continue to grow.