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The story of Wanheng Menayothin, one of Thailand’s most dreaded boxers confirms that an individual’s ability isnt determined by strength but mindset. Though petite, Wanheng has never lost a fight in his career which makes him just one win away to matching may weather’s record.
The tiny Thai boxer has been dubbed the world’s ‘dwarf giant’ because of his strength and style and has won as any as 49 fights since he began his career.
He is now just one win away from matching Floyd Mayweather’s illustrious 50-0 record.
According to Agence France Presse, AFP, at 1.57m and weighing just 47.6kg, minimum-weight Wanheng Menayothin is shorter, leaner and significantly less wealthy than “Money” Mayweather, the brash American who was teased from retirement last year by a US$100 million purse to fight MMA star Conor McGregor.
But this spring Wanheng could tie Mayweather’s 50-0 record and enter boxing lore.
His 50th bout in April or May is set to be against Panama’s Leroy Estrada in Thailand, a low-key affair that will be followed by fans and boxing enthusiasts, but not the global audience drawn to the cross-discipline spectacle between Mayweather and McGregor.
The milestone is generating boxing buzz in a country that is better known for Muay Thai, the kingdom’s boxing-style martial art that also allows kicking, kneeing and elbows to the head.
“Am I proud? Yes I am, for being on par with the superstars,” the softly spoken 32-year-old said while sitting on a tyre and wrapping his fists with gauze ahead of a training session at his Bangkok gym.
His record of 49 wins with 17 knockouts has been earned against relative minnow- many of them regional fighters – but he has been dominant in the minimum-weight division and holds the World Boxing Council belt.
With his present stats he has already matched the legendary fighter Rocky Marciano, but he doesn’t dwell too much on the numbers.
“I never thought about breaking records. I just want to win every fight like all athletes who don’t want to lose. Keep winning until I quit.”
Wanheng is from Thailand’s poor rural northeast. Growing up he viewed fighting as a way out of poverty and moved to Bangkok at age 12 to train.
“When he arrived, he didn’t have the best skills, but he got to that point with determination,” gym owner Chaiyasit Menayothin said.
Wanheng’s legal name is Chayaphon Moonsri. But like many fighters in Thailand, in both boxing and Muay Thai, he has several nom de guerres for the ring in a nod to sponsors, gyms and his own style.
We Celebrate Wanheng Menayothin
Source : HowAfrica
