Pongsaklek Wonjongkam vs Trash Nakanuma

On January 3, 2004, at the Pacifico Yokohama in Kanagawa, Japan, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam defended his WBC World Flyweight Title for the ninth time against Japan’s Trash Nakanuma. The Thai champion entered the ring with a remarkable record of 49 wins and 2 losses, having held the title since dethroning Malcolm Tunacao in 2001. Nakanuma, with a record of 23 wins and 4 losses, was stepping up for his first world title challenge.

Wonjongkam, known for his southpaw stance and ability to control fights with his sharp jab and movement, set the tone early. The opening rounds saw the champion dictate the pace, utilizing his footwork to stay out of range while landing clean punches. Nakanuma, fighting on home soil, sought to close the distance, relying on aggression and his orthodox stance to press the action. However, Wonjongkam’s composure and experience allowed him to remain one step ahead.

Nakanuma found moments of success as the fight progressed, particularly in the middle rounds, where his pressure and body shots began to unsettle the champion. Yet, Wonjongkam adjusted, using counterpunching and ring generalship to maintain his edge. The Japanese challenger’s persistence kept the contest competitive, but the champion’s consistency in landing accurate combinations and controlling the tempo made the difference on the scorecards.

After 12 hard-fought rounds, the judges’ verdict reflected Wonjongkam’s superior performance. Malcolm Bulner scored the fight 116-112, Jae Bong Kim had it 116-113, and Chuck Williams tallied 115-113, all in favour of the defending champion. The unanimous decision victory marked another successful defence in Wonjongkam’s dominant reign, extending his legacy as one of the division’s elite.

This victory continued Wonjongkam’s historic run as a flyweight champion, which saw him make 17 successful defences. His reign included wins over notable challengers and culminated in him capturing the Interim WBC Flyweight Title from Julio Cesar Miranda in 2009. He regained the full title and made five more defences before losing it to Sonny Boy Jaro in 2012.

For Nakanuma, the loss highlighted his determination and durability but underscored the gap in experience and class against a champion of Wonjongkam’s calibre. While the Japanese fighter pushed the pace, the Thai star’s ability to adapt and execute a disciplined game plan secured his victory, further cementing his status as a dominant force in the flyweight division.