Sor Rungvisai Makes Next Defense on Oct. 6
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai’s next bout has been made official, as he will make a voluntary defense of his WBC Super Flyweight Title on Oct. 6 against Iran Diaz at a One Championship event in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Impact Arena.
Sor Rungvisai has made waves across the boxing world since upsetting Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez for the title back in March 2017 before knocking out the former champion in a September 2017 rematch. He then defended the title successfully against Juan Francisco Estrada back in February for his third straight win in the U.S. before heading back to his home country of Thailand.
Last month, Rungvisai won a non-title contest with a first-round knockout of Young GIl Bae.
“I am excited to showcase my skills at home in Bangkok. As a world champion boxer, this is a rare opportunity for me to be able to compete in front of my people,” Sor Rungvisai said. “I will do my best to retain my title. I am very deep in preparations right now for one of the most significant bouts of my career.”
Tom Loeffler hoped to bring Rungvisai back to the U.S. to headline the Sept. 8 “SuperFly 3” card at The Forum in Inglewood, California, but the champion opted to remain back at home. The fight with Diaz will be co-promoted with One Championship and Sor Rungvisai’s promoter, Nakornloung Promotion.
The One Championship card will feature a mixture of boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts.
“World championship boxing has always been on the radar for One Championship,” One Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong said. “In Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, we have the perfect athlete to introduce the sport of boxing to the largest martial arts organization in the world. Sor Rungvisai embodies the fiery willpower of Thai martial arts. This is going to be the biggest event in Thailand’s history, and with thousands of fans expected to come out and cheer for their hero.”
Sor Rungvisai’s challenger, Diaz, is 3-0-1 in his last four, including wins over former champions in Hernan “Tyson” Marquez and Luis Concepcion.
“Coming into my opponent’s home country, I know it’s enemy territory, and I know the fans will be cheering loudly for him. But I believe in my skills, and I believe in my talent,” Diaz said. “I am coming to Bangkok to score a huge upset. I would like to thank One Championship for believing in me and for giving me the chance to face this honorable champion, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. I can’t wait to feel his power and experience what everyone is talking about. I believe in my heart that this is my time to become a world champion.”
Original Story: ESPN