10. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (90-5-2, 47 KO)

Born: Aug 11, 1977

 

There may have been some flyweights who would strike you as being better fighters than Pongsaklek, but how many can say they were better champions?  Sure, he held only the WBC title, but the modern structure of the sport is not his fault.  While his list of triumphs does not read like a who’s-who of flyweight standouts, the lack of quality in his reign has generally been overstated. In fact, many of his challengers were former or future champions.  Still, there are really a variety of ways to evaluate Pongsaklek’s career.

 

His record is filled with a lot of stiffs, but a 24-2-2 record in a title-fight resume that stretches back over a decade is what speaks loudest.

 

His reign kicked off in March of 2001 with a first-round knockout of unbeaten champion Malcolm Tunacao.  In 2001-2002, came knockouts of future champions Luis Lazarte and Daisuke Naito. The Naito knockout came in 34 seconds, a division record.  In 2003, he beat tough 23-0 contender Hussein Hussein.  In 2005, he bested Naito again before adding a win over another future titlist in Gilberto Keb-Baas.  In 2007, he surprisingly lost his belt to Naito, ending a 56-fight winning streak.  A draw with Naito the following year left the Thai on the outside looking in.  A few nice wins set Pongsaklek up for a shot at Naito’s conqueror--the unbeaten and controversial Koki Kameda. Pongsaklek won an upset decision to reclaim the belt.  Four good defenses, including a clear decision over talented Edgar Sosa, who had lost only once in the past 8 years.