‘FILIPINO KILLER’ SHOOTS FOR IBO CROWN IN AFRICA
By Alex P. Vidal

CHICAGO, Illinois — The Thai champion who has repulsed 10 highly touted Filipino foes in succession to earn the reputation as “Filipino killer”, has been penciled to face a South African knockout artist in the battle for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) super featherweight title on March 21 at the Emperors Palace in South Africa.

Fashai Sakkreenin, also known as Fahsai Kratingdaenggym, will face Zolani “Untouchable” Marali for 12 rounds in an international card to be co-promoted by Rodeny Berman’s Golden Gloves and Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions.

Sakkreenin (23-1, 13 KO’s) currently holds the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Pan Pacific featherweight belt, the title he held since 2007. His fight against Marali (19-2, 13 KO’s) will be his first assignment outside Thailand where he has been campaigning since 2004.

Among his Filipino victims were Edward Escriber, Nathan Barcelona, Rodney Alba, Benjie Concepcion, Jun Magsipoc, Dondon Lapuz, Roberto Dalisay, Alfer Dapangan, Johnny Lear, Edgar Gabijan, and Van Bantilan.

Marali is a five-foot, 11-inch tall lefthander who previously held the South African super bantamweight title as well as the IBO featherweight title.

Now 31 years old, the native of Mdantse, South Africa challenged for the IBO super featherweight world title in his last fight on July 30, 2008, and lost a controversial 12 -round decision against local favorite Billy Dib in Newcastle, Australia .

Secondsout.com reported that three senior IBO officials have independently reviewed the controversial July 30 IBO super featherweight world championship bout between Billy Dib and Zolani Marali, and concluded that a rematch must take place within 90 days.

Dib, from New South Wales, Australia, where the July 30 bout took place, was awarded a unanimous decision victory and the vacant IBO 130 lbs. title on scores of 116-114, 116-112 and 114-113.

Report said Team Marali, however, subsequently lodged a protest with the Florida-based sanctioning body. Marali scored a knockdown of Dib in round three and felt he deserved the verdict.

Upon review, the senior trio of IBO officials scored the bout in favor of the southpaw South African – hence the mandated rematch.

Dib took another fight instead, and vacated the title.

Sakkreenin, 27, who stands five-foot, seven-inches, is a four-year professional veteran. He has won 18 fights in a row, seven by knockout, since his only loss to unheralded Filipino Joel Escol on April 22, 2005.

2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Providence, Rhode Island, will also be featured on the card in a six-round super welterweight bout against South African Jerry Nekubve (3-0). Andrade is co-promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.
In the under cards, 12 rounds, heavyweights – WBA Pan African title features Jake Els (8-1, 8 KOs), South Africa vs. Thamsanqa Dube (8-2, 4 KOs), Zimbabwe; 12 rounds, jr. flyweight – IBO Pan African title features

Hekkie Budler (9-0, 4 KO’s), South Africa vs Charitt Mukondeleli (7-6, 1 KO) South Africa.