Date tipped: 27/1/2005
Date of event: 29/1/2005
Sport: Boxing
Event: WBC Flyweight Fight Total Rounds (Wonjongkam v Komatsu)
Selection: Over 9.5 Rounds
Odds: 1.870
Stake: 400
Advice:Southpaw Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (W54-L2-D0), from Thailand, puts his WBC Flyweight title on the line this coming Saturday night in Osaka, Japan against ex-OPBF title holder Noriyuki Komatsu (W19-L1-D5).
Pongsaklek, making his eleventh defence of his WBC belt, is a worthy pre-fight favourite. He captured the WBC 112-pound throne by dropping Malcolm Tunacao three times en-route to a shock stoppage win in the opening round of their fight in March 2001.
Although not a hard-puncher, the Thai is a well-educated sharpshooter with very good defensive skills. Pongsaklek usually connects with numerous combination punches to the face and body with precision to effectively weaken his opponent. If neither dynamic nor powerful, he is reputed to be one of the most skilful flyweight's Asia has ever produced.
Komatsu, unbeaten until his last bout (Against Trash Nakanuma), is a busy-puncher with fine hand speed and fast footwork. The taller Japanese youngster, 25, acquired the vacant OPBF belt by outscoring Korean Jungoh Song (W1-L2-D0) in Osaka in September 2002.
Lines of form through Trash Nakanuma lead us to fully expect this one to go to the judges. Those brave enough may consider backing champion Pongsaklek to win on points at Gamebookers 2.50. But advice is for followers to take advantage of the 1.87 with BETODDESSA for the bout to go past 1 minute 30 of the 10th round.(Over 9.5 Rounds)
With the WBC having already ordered the winner to defend against Mexican Jorge "Travieso" Arce (W38-L3-D1) on the undercard of the Eric Morales, Manny Pacquiao superbout on March 19, stakes are obviously very high for both fighters. A factor that leads us to conclude the bout will be a close fought affair, with neither fighter wanting to miss out on a decent Las Vegas pay-day. Get on to medium stakes, Komatsu will last longer than expected in front of his home crowd.
Stake : $400 To Win $348 (Excluding Stake)
Confidence Category : B