Thai ‘dwarf giant’ Wanheng equals Mayweather’s 50-0 record

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand: Thai boxer Wanheng Menayothin clinched his 50th straight victory on Wednesday, stopping a Panamanian challenger to hold onto his WBC minimumweight belt and tie the undefeated record of boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The 32-year-old Thai nicknamed the “dwarf giant” reached the milestone in the fifth round as Leroy Estrada failed to recover from a powerful upper cut.The Panamanian was the busier of the two fighters in the opening rounds, leaving a cut above Wanheng’s left eye.

But the veteran Thai was unruffled, knocking down Estrada twice in round three with withering right hands and again in the fourth, before the stoppage in the fifth.Wanheng’s quest to equal “Money” Mayweather has stirred intrigue between the unheralded, soft-spoken Thai and the brash, vastly more wealthy American.

“I’m happy that I can make the same record as him (Mayweather),” the champion said ringside after the fight.Asked about his next move, he said he was not yet thinking about a 51st bout.But one more win would bring Wanheng level with Mexican flyweight Ricardo Lopez, who retired with 51 wins, one draw and no losses.

Boxing analysts have taken note of his achievement but point out that Wanheng has dominated undistinguished rivals compared with Mayweather, who took out greats including Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya.