by Kittipong Thongsombat

Promoters are looking forward to a brighter year with a couple of Thai boxers expected to win world titles.

Once a powerhouse in the sport, Thailand currently has only two world champions: Wanheng Meenayothin and Amnat Ruenroeng.

Undefeated Wanheng Meenayothin won the WBC minimumweight title by stopping champion Oswaldo Novoa of Mexico in the 10th round in Chon Buri late last year, while Amnat is the IBF flyweight title-holder.

Many boxing promoters, including Surachart Pisitwutthinan, are confident they will have more world champions this year.

“I am sure that my camp will have at least one world champion this year because I have three boxers who will challenge for world titles,” Surachart said.

The three are Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (115 pounds), Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (112), and Suriyan Sor Rungvisai (118).

The WBC approved two eliminator fights involving Thais at its recent meeting.

Nawaphon, the top contender in the 112-pound division, will face second-ranked Edgar Sosa of Mexico within the next 90 days. The winner will challenge champion Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua.

However, Surachart said it is likely that Gonzalez will move up to a heavier division and if he decides to do so, Nawaphon will fight Sosa for the title.

Former champion Srisaket, the top-ranked contender in the 115-pound division, will face Jose Salgado, who is ranked fourth, within 90 days, and the winner will meet Carlos Cuadras of Mexico.

Suriyan, who is ranked second in the bantamweight division, is expected to face top-ranked Zhanat Zhakiyanov of Kazakhstan.

Surachart said he wants to organise the three bouts in Thailand to improve his boxers’ chances of winning.

“Indeed, I am confident that the three will win world titles,’’ he said.

While Surachart’s boxers are closer to winning world titles, Amnat will defend his IBF flyweight crown against long-time rival Zou Shiming of China in Macau in March.

Former convict Amnat was impressive last year in three championship fights.

The former Olympian won the title after beating Rocky Fuentes of the Philippines in January.

In his first defence, he stunned Kazuto Ioka in Japan and then secured a split-decision win against Puerto Rico’s McWilliams Arroyo in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The victory against Arroyo led to the lucrative fight against two-time Olympic champion Zou.

Zou has fought only six times as a professional compared to Amnat’s 14.

Their rivalry during their amateur careers makes the upcoming bout more interesting. They fought three times as amateurs with Zou winning on the last two occasions. That included a 5-2 points decision in the 2010 Asian Games light-flyweight semi-final as the Chinese fighter went on to win gold.

“When we were fighting as amateur boxers, I think we were at the same level, in terms of strength,” Zou said. “Now that he’s a world champion, he’s definitely getting stronger, but I’m improving as well.”

Many Thai fans still remember Zou’s controversial win against Thailand’s Kaew Pongprayoon in the flyweight final at the 2012 Olympics.

Niwat Laosuwanwat from Galaxy Boxing Promotion said that his camp is in a transitional period with fighters of a new generation trying to follow in the footsteps of former champions Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym and Denkaosan Kaovichit.

Niwat’s best hope is welterweight Teerachai Kratingdaenggym, who could get a shot at the interim title this year.

Niwat admitted that it will not be easy for Teerachai as there are a lot of good boxers at welterweight.

But he is confident that Teerachai can follow in the footsteps of legendary Khaosai Galaxy, one of Thailand’s greatest boxers of all-time who was managed by Niwat.

“Teerachai trained with Manny Pacquiao recently and he learned from the Philippine champion,’’ Niwat said.

On the business side, Niwat predicted a better year for boxing.

“Our business is getting better after the political climate has become more stable,’’ he said.