Sakkreerin dreams of Lopez clash
By Paul Upham: Former IBF minimumweight champion Fahlan Sakkreerin is hoping that a win over WBO junior flyweight champion Nelson Dieppa from Puerto Rico will lead to a dream unification match with IBF junior flyweight king Ricardo “Finito” Lopez (left).
Sakkreerin, 46-2-2 (17), was scheduled to face Dieppa,18-2-1 (11), on the Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad undercard and has been in New York since August 27, preparing for his world title challenge.
“I wanted to come early to get used to the city and the time difference, which is nearly 13 hours. Then I can adjust completely,” said Sakkreerin. Manager Jimmy Chaichotchuang revealed that the boxer and his team had planned to visit the World Trade Centre on Tuesday morning prior to the horrific plane crashes.
“On Tuesday morning we had arranged with Don King to go to the World Trade Centre,” said Chaichotchuang. “But we changed our plans and decided to arrange Fahlan’s ID card for the New York Commission, so we did not go to the two towers. We were very fortunate not to have been there. I saw what happened with the planes on the television,” said Sakkreerin.
“I felt very bad for all of the people in the neighbourhood who were killed. So many people were killed and hurt and it made me very sad. I was not scared about more planes crashing. I was very sad for the people, but wanted to stay in New York to fight when we could.”
Like most Thai’s, Sakkreerin started practicing Muay-Thai kick-boxing early in his life and had his first professional fight at age 12. He went on to have over 50 contests but found that he was better suited to boxing. “We saw him as a Muay-Thai kick-boxer and it was good for him to change to boxing as he had a better future. His skills, including his movement were better for boxing,” said Chaichotchuang.
Sakkreerin made his professional boxing debut in June 1988 at 20 years of age in Bangkok. He admits he lost on points over eight rounds, but it should be noted that his first fight was against future WBA minimumweight world champion Chana Porpaoin. With only one loss in his first fourteen fights, Sakkreerin won the IBF minimumweight crown against Eric Chavez in Bangkok in February 1990. “I was very proud. For the first time in my life I had a world title,” he said.
Sakkreerin made seven successful title defences before losing the title to Manny Melchor in Bangkok in September 1992 in a close 12 round decision. “I think that I should have won the fight. It was a close fight, but I was surprised when the judges scored it against me,” said Sakkreerin. “I was very disappointed with the loss, but did not want to retire. I wanted to keep fighting. I always believed that I would become world champion again.”
In 1993, Sakkreerin moved up to junior flyweight and reeled off 24 straight victories with seven knockouts. He challenged for the WBO junior flyweight world title against Andy Tabanas in February 2001 in Las Vegas on the Kostya Tszyu vs Sharmba Mitchell undercard. The action was intense in a close fight that went the full 12 rounds distance and was subsequently scored a draw.
“I think that I should have won the fight and was very disappointed with the draw. I should have fought better than I did. I have the ability to beat Tabanas and feel that they should have scored the win for me,” said Sakkreerin, who fought again in May, recording a fifth round TKO win over Melchor Garcia.
As for WBO junior flyweight champion Nelson Dieppa, the Thai believes he will emerge victorious when they eventually meet. “I saw his fight with Will Grisby. He is not a dangerous champion and I feel very confident going into this fight,” added Sakkreerin, who attributes his success to his dedication to fitness and sincere focus on the sport.
“I believe my success is due to my concern with fitness. I take care of my body and make sure that I enter each fight without injury. I focus my mind only on the opponent in the ring and block out everything else,” said Sakkreerin. “I really care about my boxing and have dedicated myself to the sport. I love being a boxer and take steps to ensure that I am always prepared. I work on my boxing technique and analyse the style of my opponent and work on my skills that I need to win that fight.”
Looking extremely fit at 33 years of age, Sakkreerin does not believe that his age is a hindrance to him winning another world crown. “I can still become the world champion, as 33 is not old for me. I am very fit and feel young,” he said.
A win over Dieppa will put the WBO belt around his waist and hopefully set him up for a unification bout with legendary IBF junior flyweight champion Ricardo Lopez who is also promoted by Don King. “If I win this fight, I want to beat all of the champions at 108 lbs, in unification bouts,” said Sakkreerin.“ A fight with ‘Finito’ Lopez would be very good for me. He has been a great champion, but he needs to face another boxer who has also been a good champion. When I win the WBO title, I will be asking Don King to give me a unification fight with Lopez.”
Both Sakkreerin and manager Chaichotchuang are very happy with how the Hall of Fame promoter has provided opportunity for title fights and has gone out of his way to look after them, making them feel at home in the United States after travelling so far from Thailand. “He is a good man. He really takes care of the boxers and does not let them panic. He informs you of what the changes are. Don King met me at the world convention for the first time and he knew exactly of what I had done,” said Sakkreerin.
“We had heard many stories about Don King before we went and fought for him in February. He was very good to us and really helped us on our first trip to Las Vegas. We are very pleased to fight on his boxing promotions,” said Jimmy Chaichotchuang.
Watching Sakkreerin walking the streets of New York, you can see the pride he has of making the boxing big time, so far away from his wife, son and daughter and his hometown of Mahasarakam in Thailand. “I am really happy about being on such a big card as this. I will be the first Thai to fight in the famous arena Madison Square Garden and I am looking forward to winning the WBO title and taking it back to Thailand,” he said.
“Sakkreerin is a very popular boxer in Thailand after his world title reign and subsequent activity where fans could see him fight regularly,” said Chaichotchuang. “Ask any Thai do they know Fahlan and they will answer yes.” The former champion has a simple message for the people of Thailand for his fight with Dieppa, which hopefully will be rescheduled to September 29. “All the Thai people should watch because they will not be disappointed. I will be bringing the WBO belt back to Thailand,” he said.
Paul Upham
Contributing Editor
Sakkreerin, 46-2-2 (17), was scheduled to face Dieppa,18-2-1 (11), on the Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad undercard and has been in New York since August 27, preparing for his world title challenge.
“I wanted to come early to get used to the city and the time difference, which is nearly 13 hours. Then I can adjust completely,” said Sakkreerin. Manager Jimmy Chaichotchuang revealed that the boxer and his team had planned to visit the World Trade Centre on Tuesday morning prior to the horrific plane crashes.
“On Tuesday morning we had arranged with Don King to go to the World Trade Centre,” said Chaichotchuang. “But we changed our plans and decided to arrange Fahlan’s ID card for the New York Commission, so we did not go to the two towers. We were very fortunate not to have been there. I saw what happened with the planes on the television,” said Sakkreerin.
“I felt very bad for all of the people in the neighbourhood who were killed. So many people were killed and hurt and it made me very sad. I was not scared about more planes crashing. I was very sad for the people, but wanted to stay in New York to fight when we could.”
Like most Thai’s, Sakkreerin started practicing Muay-Thai kick-boxing early in his life and had his first professional fight at age 12. He went on to have over 50 contests but found that he was better suited to boxing. “We saw him as a Muay-Thai kick-boxer and it was good for him to change to boxing as he had a better future. His skills, including his movement were better for boxing,” said Chaichotchuang.
Sakkreerin made his professional boxing debut in June 1988 at 20 years of age in Bangkok. He admits he lost on points over eight rounds, but it should be noted that his first fight was against future WBA minimumweight world champion Chana Porpaoin. With only one loss in his first fourteen fights, Sakkreerin won the IBF minimumweight crown against Eric Chavez in Bangkok in February 1990. “I was very proud. For the first time in my life I had a world title,” he said.
Sakkreerin made seven successful title defences before losing the title to Manny Melchor in Bangkok in September 1992 in a close 12 round decision. “I think that I should have won the fight. It was a close fight, but I was surprised when the judges scored it against me,” said Sakkreerin. “I was very disappointed with the loss, but did not want to retire. I wanted to keep fighting. I always believed that I would become world champion again.”
In 1993, Sakkreerin moved up to junior flyweight and reeled off 24 straight victories with seven knockouts. He challenged for the WBO junior flyweight world title against Andy Tabanas in February 2001 in Las Vegas on the Kostya Tszyu vs Sharmba Mitchell undercard. The action was intense in a close fight that went the full 12 rounds distance and was subsequently scored a draw.
“I think that I should have won the fight and was very disappointed with the draw. I should have fought better than I did. I have the ability to beat Tabanas and feel that they should have scored the win for me,” said Sakkreerin, who fought again in May, recording a fifth round TKO win over Melchor Garcia.
As for WBO junior flyweight champion Nelson Dieppa, the Thai believes he will emerge victorious when they eventually meet. “I saw his fight with Will Grisby. He is not a dangerous champion and I feel very confident going into this fight,” added Sakkreerin, who attributes his success to his dedication to fitness and sincere focus on the sport.
“I believe my success is due to my concern with fitness. I take care of my body and make sure that I enter each fight without injury. I focus my mind only on the opponent in the ring and block out everything else,” said Sakkreerin. “I really care about my boxing and have dedicated myself to the sport. I love being a boxer and take steps to ensure that I am always prepared. I work on my boxing technique and analyse the style of my opponent and work on my skills that I need to win that fight.”
Looking extremely fit at 33 years of age, Sakkreerin does not believe that his age is a hindrance to him winning another world crown. “I can still become the world champion, as 33 is not old for me. I am very fit and feel young,” he said.
A win over Dieppa will put the WBO belt around his waist and hopefully set him up for a unification bout with legendary IBF junior flyweight champion Ricardo Lopez who is also promoted by Don King. “If I win this fight, I want to beat all of the champions at 108 lbs, in unification bouts,” said Sakkreerin.“ A fight with ‘Finito’ Lopez would be very good for me. He has been a great champion, but he needs to face another boxer who has also been a good champion. When I win the WBO title, I will be asking Don King to give me a unification fight with Lopez.”
Both Sakkreerin and manager Chaichotchuang are very happy with how the Hall of Fame promoter has provided opportunity for title fights and has gone out of his way to look after them, making them feel at home in the United States after travelling so far from Thailand. “He is a good man. He really takes care of the boxers and does not let them panic. He informs you of what the changes are. Don King met me at the world convention for the first time and he knew exactly of what I had done,” said Sakkreerin.
“We had heard many stories about Don King before we went and fought for him in February. He was very good to us and really helped us on our first trip to Las Vegas. We are very pleased to fight on his boxing promotions,” said Jimmy Chaichotchuang.
Watching Sakkreerin walking the streets of New York, you can see the pride he has of making the boxing big time, so far away from his wife, son and daughter and his hometown of Mahasarakam in Thailand. “I am really happy about being on such a big card as this. I will be the first Thai to fight in the famous arena Madison Square Garden and I am looking forward to winning the WBO title and taking it back to Thailand,” he said.
“Sakkreerin is a very popular boxer in Thailand after his world title reign and subsequent activity where fans could see him fight regularly,” said Chaichotchuang. “Ask any Thai do they know Fahlan and they will answer yes.” The former champion has a simple message for the people of Thailand for his fight with Dieppa, which hopefully will be rescheduled to September 29. “All the Thai people should watch because they will not be disappointed. I will be bringing the WBO belt back to Thailand,” he said.
Paul Upham
Contributing Editor
SecondsOut Weekly Newsletter
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