By Carlos Costa

The “Filipino Cinderella Man,” former WBC Flyweight world champion Sonny Boy Jaro (45-14-5, 32 KO’s), is back in combat mode to challenge tough WBC # 6 world-ranked Thai warrior Nawaphon Kaikanha (44-1-1, 34 KO’s)  for the WBC Asian Bantamweight Title Saturday, May 18, in a televised war at Workpoint Studio in Bang Phun, Kingdom of Thailand.

Sonny Boy Jaro weighed-in at 117.72 pounds (53.4 kilos), while Nawaphon made 117.5 lbs (53.4 kgs), for their afternoon 12-rounder battle.

The clash is set to be Sonny Boy’s second rumble after his return to boxing action last March from a year-long hiatus.

Meanwhile, for the titlist Nawaphon Kaikanha, 27, the war is the first defense of his WBC Asian 118-pound strap as his team ponder about a possible world title challenge pitting him against unbeaten French WBC bantamweight world champion Nordine Oubaali (15-0, 11 KO’s).

Will the shy, but fearless “Filipino Cinderella Man” Sonny Boy Jaro, 37, make good use of his experience, heart, and strength to defeat his taller, younger world-ranked Thai foe in his own backyard, spoiling his golden plans?

Or will the Thai local boxer Nawaphon  —  from the same M-150 boxing stable of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai   —   shatter the dreams of new glories in the mind of Sonny Boy? 

The Nawaphon Kaikanha vs Sonny Boy Jaro fight for the WBC Asian Bantamweight title is a production of veteran Thai promoter Thainchai Pisitwuttinan of Nakornluong (NKL) Promotions.

The action will be shown live in Thailand on WP Workpoint TV Channel 23, and streamed LIVE online on the network’s different platforms, including its web site www.workpointtv.comand the network’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/WPboxing23

The card’s live broadcast starts at 3 pmThailand Time (4 am Eastern, 1 am Pacific)

The telecast will be in Thai language.

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines.   Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand by whatsapp/viber/wechat:  +639184538152.