AN unknown Filipino boxer named Rey Lorito scored a massive upset in Thailand on Tuesday when he beat hometown boy Wisanu Kokietgym (38W-7L-2D, 12 KOs) by 6th round TKO to become the new Pan-Asian Boxing Association (PABA) light flyweight champion.
Lorito, who is based in Metro Manila, was brought into this fight with an unimpressive record of 4 wins and 9 losses, with 2 KOs against Kokietgym who was ranked No. 1 by the World Boxing Association (WBA). Lorito also lost in his last four bouts.
But the gritty Pinoy turned what looked like a mismatch on paper into a one-sided match in Bangkok, scoring four knockdowns including two in the decisive sixth round that prompted the referee to stop the fight at 2:10 mark of the round.
Kokietgym was originally scheduled to face former WBC lt.flyweight champ Rodel Mayol of Mandaue City, but Mayol, while training here in Cebu, was offered to fight in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley match in Las Vegas last May 8. Hence Lorito was brought in as a replacement.
Kokietgym fought in Mandaue City, Cebu in 2005 under the name Wisanu Por Nobnum and was stopped by Z Gorres in four rounds. Lorito’s last win prior to this contest was in December 21, 2010, an eight-round unanimous decision victory in Allen, Northern Samar over Benezer Alolod, a fight card covered by CDN. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.