FORMER ALA Boy Jess Rhey Waminal is in for an uphill battle as he challenges highly regarded World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian super bantamweight champion Chainoi Worawut tonight, July 29, 2023 at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok, Thailand.
But despite being a huge underdog, the 28-year-old Waminal will give everything that he has to try and upset Worawut.
“Everybody knows that if I fight, I fight with all that I have. I’m even more excited because he’s highly rated in the world,” Waminal told SunStar Cebu.
The 26-year-old Worawut is one of Thailand’s most promising young boxers. He’s currently ranked No. 5 by the WBC super bantamweight division.
Waminal has been gaining momentum after a dark part of his career, wherein he dropped five straight fights. He won his last two contests—a unanimous decision win over prospect Jhunrille Castino and a sixth round technical knockout of veteran Crison Omayao.
Waminal has fought the likes of Ben Mananquil, Pete Apolinar, BJ Wild, Alex Santisima Jr. and unbeaten Chinese up-and-comer Zhong Liu.
Worawut is notorious for being a ‘Filipino killer’. He has fought and defeated nine Pinoy fighters in his career that includes the likes of former ALA Boy Brian Lobetania, Ken Jordan and Alvin Medura.
Worawut won both of his fights this year, beating Jhon Gemino by unanimous decision and knocking out Lobetania in three rounds.
Worawut has also defeated the likes of former world champion Suriyan Satorn and Panya Uthok.
Waminal tipped the scales at 121 pounds, while Worawut weighed-in at 121.2 pounds.
Waminal, a former amateur standout, is 16-8-1 with nine knockouts, while Worawut is 21-0-1 with 15 knockouts. (EKA)