Filipino boxer Yap to fight in Thailand on Sept. 30 for WBC regional title

Mark John Yap (left) and Apichet Petchmanee (right). | Boxrec photos

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Veteran road warrior Mark John Yap will fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian lightweight title on September 30, 2023, at the Suamlum Night Bazaar in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 34-year-old Yap of Cagayan de Oro City will face Thai prospect Apichet Petchmanee who currently holds the WBC regional title in a 10-rounder bout on Saturday. 

This will be Yap’s first time fighting in Thailand.

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Filipino boxer Yap on 3-fight win streak

He is currently on a three-fight winning streak since 2022. He defeated Junior Kauko Raka of Papua New Guinea via unanimous decision in October last year. He went on beating fellow Filipino Leonardo Doronio via a fourth round technical knockout in January this year in Manila.

Yap’s most recent victory was against Bangladeshi Hasan Sikdar in Vung Tau, Vietnam last July via a third round TKO. 

Yap has been known in the local boxing scene for spending most of his pro career in Japan. He fought 17 times in Japan from 2012 to 2018. 

He also fought twice in the United States, but fell short on both occasions. 

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Filipino boxer Yap’s boxing record

Yap has a record of 33 wins with 17 knockouts, and 17 losses. 

This time, Yap is gunning to extend his winning streak against Petchmanee with a bigger prize at stake. 

Meanwhile, Petchmanee has a 15-1 (win-loss) record with five knockouts. His most recent bout was in Japan against Katsuya Yusada for the WBO Asia Pacific lightweight strap where he lost by a 12-round unanimous decision last June. Petchmanee was undefeated before he lost to Yasuda. 

Petchmanee earned the WBC regional title in 2022 after beating Filipino Ernie Sanchez by unanimous decision.