Isuzu Thai Fight 2011: Thailand Qualifier Update

While the Isuzu Thai Fight tournament is set to expand in 2011, the qualifier currently going on to determine Thailand's representative in the 67 kg. tournament has brought some real exciting action. Thus far, the tournament has gone as follows: two groups, four fighters in each group, round-robin until the top two fighters in each group have been determined.

In addition to the excitement in the ring, some of the action away from it is also worth mentioning. Following their participation in European bouts in the last week of January, both Sudsakorn Sor. Klinmee and Thepsuthin Pumpanmuang were removed from the qualifier prior to the final round of group stage bouts. Although Thepsuthin had already been effectively eliminated with two losses, Sudsakorn was atop Group A when he was dismissed, coming off of an impressive win over early tournament favorite Kem Sitsongpeenong. For the final leg of group stage bouts, French transplant Antuan Siangboxing was called in to replace Sudsakorn in Group A, while Diesellek Top Kings Boxing replaced Thepsuthin in Group B. Neither fighter would have the opportunity to advance; they were merely brought in to keep the action going.

Following the twelfth and final group stage bout this past Saturday, the qualifier is now set to move into the semifinal round in April.

Advancing atop Group A is the aforementioned Kem Sitsongpeenong, who looked impressive in two stoppage victories and acquitted himself well in defeat against Sudsakorn. Nopparat Kiatkumthorn benefited greatly from the removal of Sudsakorn, as he was able to finish second in Group A with one stoppage and one decision victory.

Denchonlek SS Niyom, a young, rangy fighter largely unknown to fans prior to the beginning of this qualifier has finished atop Group B after three fights. Two decisions and a stoppage victory over top competition is truly impressive for such a young fighter - Denchonlek is just seventeen - and it will be quite interesting to see what he can manage from here. Also advancing from Group B is Prakaisaeng Sit O, who bounced back from an early decision loss against Denchonlek to secure two wins and finish second in the group.

As readers may anticipate, the semifinals will place the top finisher from Group A against the second from Group B, and the top finisher from Group B against the second from Group A. Of course, that means that Kem will meet Prakaisaeng while Denchonlek meets Nopparat. However the semifinals may end, the conclusion of the tournament is something that fans should keep an eye on.

It seems that rather than pitting top seeds against second place finishers from opposing groups, the semifinals will be determined by popular vote. Hopefully it won't have any adverse affect on the finals.

Interested readers can watch all of the group stage fights from this tournament here, in chronological order.

Group stage results posted, in entirety, after the jump.

Isuzu Thai Fight 2011: Thailand Qualifier Group Stage Results

Group Stage Round 1
November 20th: Thanongdet Chengsimiewgym defeats Thepsuthin Pumpanmuang on points
November 27th: Denchonlek SS Niyom defeats Prakaisaeng Sit O on points
December 11th: Sudsakorn Sor. Klinmee defeats Kongjak Sor. Tuanthong on points
December 25th: Kem Sitsongpeenong defeats Nopparat Kiatgamthon via third round technical knockout

Group Stage Round 2
January 1st: Denchonlek SS Niyom defeats Thanongdet Chengsimiewgym on points
January 8th: Prakaisaeng Sit O defeats Thepsuthin Pumpanmuang via fourth round knockout
January 15th: Sudsakorn Sor. Klinmee defeats Kem Sitsongpeenong on points
January 29th: Nopparat Kiatgamthon defeats Kongjak Sor. Tuanthong via fourth round knockout

Group Stage Round 3
February 12th: Prakaisaeng Sit O defeats Thanongdet Chengsimiewgym on points
February 19th: Denchonlek SS Niyom defeats Diesellek Top Kings Boxing via third round technical knockout
March 5th: Nopparat Kiatgamthon defeats Antuan Siangboxing on points
March 12th: Kem Sitsongpeenong defeats Kongjak Sor. Tuanthong via third round knockout