Unheralded Negrense earns world title shot against unbeaten Thai world champion
Unheralded boxer Toto Landero landed a world title shot against World Boxing Association (WBA) world minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong on March 3 in Chonburi, Thailand.
The 22-year old Landero, a native of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental earned the world title challenge against Niyomtrong despite having a very young professional record of 10 wins with two knockouts, a loss and two draws.
Landero got the attention of mainstream boxing when he walked away with a split decision victory in his 10-round war against former world title challenger Vic “Vicious” Saludar last June 10 at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
Landero went on to win another fight, defeating journeyman Powell Balaba on October 10 last year vis six-round unanimous decision.
His lone defeat was inflicted by Cebu-based former world title challenger Joey Canoy of Noy Pacing Boxing Gym during their encounter in 2016 where he got knocked out by the latter in the sixth round in Taguig City, Metro Manila.
The 27-year old Niyomtrong meanwhile, is undefeated with 16 victories, seven by knockout. His fight against Landero is a voluntary title defense, meaning his camp has the option to chose his opponent.
He already defended the title for three consecutive times since winning it in 2016 against Nicaraguan Byron Rojas (24-3-3, 10KOs) by unanimous decision in Thailand.
Niyomtrong became popular when he defeated Indonesian former world champion Muhammad Rachman (65-13-5, 35KOs) by unanimous decision in 2014 to clinch the interim WBA world minimumweight strap.
He defended his title by beating another top caliber boxer, Carlos Buitrago (30-3-1, 17KOs) of Nicaragua by unanimous decision.