Disastrous.
Not only did 2012′s breakout fighter of the year and WMC champion Aikpracha withdraw several days ago from the anticipated super-fight showdown with American WBC champion Ky Hollenbeck, but the late (and somewhat decent) replacement made for Hollenbeck’s fight, Malaipet (a veteran with over 100 fights) could not get his medical clearance in time, and then Hollenbeck was taken from the card, with only moments to go before it started.
At least, so we hear. Who knows, it wouldn’t be beyond a promoter to leave the nugget of info right up until as many of the ticket buyers had made their way to the arena to see Hollenbeck fight…
This is terrible – the “Thailand vs. the Americas” theme is an entertaining and intriguing (if weak) one, and should result in a total bludgeoning of all American talent at Thai hands unless the cards are booked to cater to them with tuk tuk drivers. However, in Hollenbeck, America has a genuine star on the world stage, and the Aikpracha WMC vs WBC champ super-fight could and would have been tremendous.
On a sidenote: “Mr Lightning” Lerdsilla won a round in his fight without throwing a punch, Willie Pep style. Thank you to AndyJeezy for that reference, always refreshing to see old-school boxing mentioned. But rest assured, Sandy Saddler won their saga, and Naseem Hamed would have put both their lights out, young blood.
