By Carlos Costa

Srisaket on the Way.    Thailand’s hard-punching WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has departed from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport for Los Angeles, USA, in anticipation of his much-awaited world title rematch against nemesis Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada of Hermosillo, Sonora, México, set for Friday, May 26, at the historic Forum in Inglewood, California.

At the airport, Sor Runvisai and his team received well-wishing words from Thailand’s WBC Vice President Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi and by WBC Youth Executive Surapote Phongjiavanich.

Wearing the bright yellow & red colors of his Srisaket M-150 Team, the Thai World champion looked sharp, ready and focused on his important mission, while being interviewed by local Thai sports media outlets who inquired him about his training and preparations ahead of his exciting world title battle against the skilled former unified flyweight world champion Juan Francisco Estrada (38-3, 26 KO’s).

Sor Rungvisai and Estrada   —   the top two men in the super flyweight division   —   already battled it out in an entertaining 12-rounder clash at The Forum in the Spring of last year with Sor Rungvisai prevailing by points in a majority decision win that one of the judges scored it a draw.     

That first Sor Rungvisai-Estrada rumble came-in a few months after the heavy-handed Thai warrior vaporized the ever popular Nicaraguan warrior Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (47-2, 39 KO’s).   In that unforgettable battle, Chocolatito came down a true warrior in what was a thrilling blockbuster fight, one of the boxing highlights of 2017.

Since outpointing “El Gallo” Estrada, the tough Sor Runvisai, 32, ravaged unheralded Korean veteran Young Gil Bae in less than 3 minutes in a minor, inconsequential, non-title fight last July in Bangkok.

Further, he made the 3rd defense of his belt against little-known Mexican challenger Iran Diaz (15-3-3, 7 KO’s) last October in Bangkok, a duel that  —   surprisingly for fans   —   went the distance.

Right after, boxing fans read reports of Sor Rungvisai (47-4-1, 41 KO’s) probably facing IBF super flyweight titlist Filipino Jerwin Ancajas in a unification match.

But Sor Rungvisai and his handler Thai manager Bank Thainchai Pisitwuttinan opted to align themselves with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to assure the Estrada rematch, a fight that in the eyes of the Thai slugger was more attractive.   Probably yes.

As for Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada, 29, after being outpointed by Sor Rungvisai, he have had more demanding missions, defeating tough and durable compatriot Felipe “Gallito” Orucuta (36-5, 30 KO’s) last September at The Forum, and then winning by stoppage over fellow Hermosillense “Mr. Spock” Victor Mendez (28-4-2, 20 KO’s) last December at the StubHub in Carson, California. 

Undoubtedly, Estrada had a more difficult road to May 26, but he pushed through with flying colors, filling hopes among enthusiastic Mexican fans that this time around El Gallomight outsmart the Thai coming-forward toro.

Will the Thailand star prevail again over the highly talented Gallo Estrada for a successful 4th defense of his super fly world title?  

Or will the well-trained, laser-focused, experienced Mexican warrior this time effectively counter and outbox the always energized hard-swinging Sor Rungvisai? 

Srisaket vs Estrada 2 is a production of Eddie Hearn at The Forum in Inglewood California is a promotion of Matchroom Boxing.

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines.   Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand by //wechat+639184538152.