Nawaphon Kaikanha (left) and Vincent Astrolabio (right) engage in a fierce staredown after passing the weigh-in for their world title eliminator bout in Thailand. | Photo from MP Boxing Gym Davao’s Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio and Thai Nawaphon Kaikanha are all set for their World Boxing Council (WBC) world bantamweight title eliminator showdown after passing the weigh-in on Friday, August 25, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Astrolabio, a one-time world title challenger tipped the scales at 117.2 pounds, while Kaikanha weighed in at 117.4 lbs to make their world title eliminator bout happen on Saturday, August 26, at the Suamlum Night Bazaar.
Astrolabio and Kaikanha are ranked No. 2 and No. 1 contenders in the WBC bantamweight rankings. The winning boxer will likely challenge the newly-crowned WBC world bantamweight champion Alexandro Santiago who defeated Nonito Donaire Jr. via unanimous decision last July 29 in Las Vegas.
The 31-year-old Thai veteran has the upperhand in terms of experience. Kaikanha has a a staggering record of 58 wins with 48 knockouts, two defeats, and one draw.
He was also a former WBC Asian flyweight champion who held the title for a long period.
Kaikanha’s lone world title shot came in 2017 for the WBC world flyweight title against Mexican Juan Hernandez Navarrete where he lost by third round technical knockout.
Still, Kaikanha is on a back-to-back winning streak after beating Filipino Brandon Alejandro in 2022 and fellow Thai Attanon Kunlawng last February.
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Astrolabio recently fought for his first world title shot against Australian Jason Moloney.
However, Astrolabio faltered after losing to Moloney in a majority decision for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight strap which happened in Stockton, United States.
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