[Crimson]

Semi-Finals Straw Weight World Championship Tournament

Saturday, September 25th, 1992
Crocodile Farm; Samart Prakarn (outside of Bangkok); Thailand

Both fighters appeared to be in excellent condition and supremely confident of beating the other. Choi had a decent first round, while Lopez picked his shots and seemed to be scouting out the best way to lay out Choi in one of the upcoming rounds.

Lopez picked up the pace in the 2nd and by rounds end had hurt Choi, who was now bleeding from a cut on his right eyebrow along with having a slightly swollen left eye. After losing the 3rd, Choi stood his ground and fired back effectively in the 4th, perhaps winning the round on the judges cards. After 4 rounds, the widely respected expert on boxing from Asia, Joe Koizumi had it 38-38.

Lopez had a solid 6th round and the eye of Choi was worsening rapidly. Entering the 8th Choi’s left eye was little more than a slit. Lopez had dished out plenty of leather in the 7th and it appeared that the ending of the fight, with Lopez the victor and Choi on the canvas, was only a matter of time. Lopez let off the gas pedal a bit in the 8th and Choi dug deep with all he had in an attempt to score a KO. With 1:56 remaining in the round Choi landed a devastating left hook to the body of Lopez. The Mexican froze and bent over slightly. Choi seized the moment and went right back with yet another brutal left to the body, and this time Lopez dropped to a knee! The crowd erupted in excitement at the sudden change in fortune for Asian dynamo. Referee Laurence Cole picked up the count at 4 from the timekeeper with Lopez still on one knee and his head facing the canvas. “FIVE!” Lopez didn’t move. “SIX! Lopez stood up with his face grimacing. There was still almost 2:00 minutes remaining in the round. Lopez did a nice job of covering up and holding when necessary and Choi was unable to follow up on his advantage.

After 8 rounds Joe Koizumi had Lopez ahead by only 1 point, 76-75. Both fighters were tired and used the 9th as a round to regroup. In the 10th Nacho Berinstien instructed Lopez to box on the outside and counter Choi. The Korean, perhaps having caught his 2nd wind, came out with his guns blazing in the 10th. Choi’s left hook repeatedly was able to find the rib cage of Lopez, something Choi had been unable to do when he’d lost a 4 round majority decision to Lopez in Sydney, Australia back on March 28th.

Lopez came out aggressively in the 11th round and quickly had Choi backed up on the ropes. A series of right hands and Choi’s eye was once again bleeding. Behind one eye that was little more than a slit and the other covered in blood Choi missed with his punches and Lopez countered those misses with precision. After a thunderous left hook Choi wobbled along the ropes into the corner. Choi was saved by the bell still standing in the corner he had stumbled into a minute earlier in the round.

Lopez came out for the 12th and final round looking to close the show dramatically. Halfway into the round he put Choi on the canvas briefly. With 15 seconds to go in the fight Choi was on the retreat when a long right sent him sprawling on all fours, further clarifying who the better fighter was. Choi rose before 10 was tolled and was able to hear the final bell. Once again Choi was in an outstanding fight, but it was doubtful that he'd pull out the win on the scorecards in this one.

Joe Koizumi had it 115-111 for Lopez. The 3 judges cards were read by ring announcer Plinicam Prukak as a unanimous decision win for the new….WBA Champion and still WBC Champion….. RICARDO LOPEZ!!”
Ricardo Lopez WBC Champ and new WBA Champ Wu12 Hi-Yong Choi

Also known by the last name of Sakareerin, Fahlan Lukmingkwan entered the ring to tremendous applause in the tiny venue called “Crocodile Farm”, a famous tourist attraction where visitors could see thousands of crocodiles of various sizes and staff wrestling with some, while placing their head between the beast’s jaws! Vuyani “Wonderboy” Nene was still struggling with his weight, but came into the ring having worked up a sweat and appeared very ready to give the home country fighter a tussle.

Thirty seconds into the 1st and Nene was down courtesy of a right hand. Not known as a puncher, Lukmingkwan was unable to finish Nene off. After an ineffective 2nd round of aggression, Lukminkwan went back to his bread and butter boxing skills.

The exchanges were infrequent, but the punches that did land more often than not, seemed to be coming from the gloves of Lukimingkwan. After 6 rounds Joe Koizumi at ringside had Lukmingkwan ahead 58-56.
One round resembled the next as Lukminkwan piled up the points.

Sensing defeat, should the fight reach a decision, Nene began loading up on his punches. This only increased the Thai fighters counterpunching accuracy. After 10 rounds Nene had a good sized egg under his right eye and was behind on the scorecard of ringside analyst Joe Koizumi 98-92. Nene lasted the distance, but lost the unanimous decision by a wide margin on all 3 scorecards.
Fhalan Lukmingkwan retains the IBF belt and wins the WBO belt Wu12 Vuyani Nene

Next up would be a Fhalan Lukmingkwan vs. Ricardo Lopez match for all 4 belts and the STRAW WEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!