Medgoen “3-K Battery” Singsurat: That One Big Win

By Ted Sares: This Thai is still active but for the most part, has fought terrible opposition. He duked with Jorge Arce on December 1, 2007 for the WBC Latino bantamweight title. He was 53-4 coming in but was demolished by a brutal body shot courtesy of “Travieso” in 47 seconds. 3-K is now 63 (KO 44) – 6 (KO 6) in 69 outings, but that record is deceiving.

The Pacquiao Win

Singsurat did his best work early and won his first 20 fights all in Thailand including a 9th round KO over a young Juanito Rubillar. Also included in that streak was 3-round KO over a weight-drained Manny Pacquiao in 1999. Manny was 26-1 at the time. On the line was the WBC flyweight title. 3-K, coming in at 18-0, drove the emaciated Pac Man to the ropes in the 3rd round and then unloaded a straight right to his body which folded him like a tent. He went down for the count. I have reviewed the footage many times and like his first defeat at the hands of Rustico Torrecampo, this one was no fluke.

Just three months later, Pacquiao moved to a more comfortable 122 pounds or nine ponds more that when he fought 3-K. Weight-wise, he would never looked back. Starting with a 2-round blowout of Reynante Jamili (41-5 coming in), he went 13-0-2 with all of his wins coming by stoppage. Among his victims were Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, Thai Fahsan 3K Battery, South African Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba, undefeated South Korean Seung-Kon Chae, and Colombian Jorge Eliecer “El Reten” Julio. Manny’s destructions were of the equal opportunity type.

Now, as he continues to move up in weight and continues to win, he has become a living legend. Indeed, the last time he lost in a world title fight was in 1999 against Singsurat

Later

3-K’s first loss came in 2000 against Filipino Malcolm “Eagle Eye” Tunacao with his WBC flyweight title at stake. He then won 13 of his next 14 against just so-so opposition. On September 7, 2006, he ventured outside the friendly confines of Thailand (something few Thai fighters do) to fight in Japan where he was waxed in 3 by Nobuto Ikehara (23-1 coming in). After this loss, his record took a bizarre turn. On March 3, 2006, he iced debuting Roger Monserto in 5 rounds. He then KOd Jonathan Gonzales and Ric Moreno, both 0-0, after which he again stopped the hapless Monserto who was now 0-1. He then “stepped up” and KOd Tarek Krab (1-0), after which he stopped Raheem Kadayree (0-0) and Refly Rengkung (0-4). He then fought four fighters in succession each of whom was making his pro debut. Naturally, he won all by stoppage. This run of “victories” against 11 opponents who had a combined won-loss record of 1-5 positioned his for the aforementioned Arce blow-out loss in New Mexico.

“3-K” was not through. He went on another long winning streak against opponents with a dreadful combined won-loss record. It would only be a matter of time before he “stepped up” again–and he did just that on September 30, 2009 when he fought Mikio Yasuda (14-4) in Osaka, Japan. 3-K’s batteries were shorted in the second stanza.

Many top Thai fighters have their records dotted with boxers who are fighting for the first time. Gross mismatches are commonplace, but this “3-K Battery” has taken it to the extreme. Surely, however, the end must now be near.

Still, after all is said and done, there is one win on his record the legitimacy of which can never be questioned.