Loreto falls to Thai foe in world title bid

Unbeaten Thammanoon Niyomtrong thwarted the challenge of Filipino Rey Loreto on Saturday to extend his reign as World Boxing Association strawweight champion in Chonburi, Thailand.

The Thai dominated the middle rounds and even knocked down Loreto in the ninth with an overhand right to prevail by unanimous decision and extend his win run to 16 with seven knockouts.

The scores were 117-110 twice and 115-113 once.

Loreto sabsorbed his first loss after winning seven straight and dropped to 23-14, 15 knockouts.

Exploiting his longer reach, Loreto nearly had Niyomtrong’s left eye swelling by the fourth round, but the former Muay Thai fighter countered with straights to the body and found his range starting in the fifth.

Knowing that he’s behind in the scorecards, Loreto desperately waged a body attack in the last three rounds, but the Thai was able to evade his lunges.