Los Angeles: WBC super-flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai's rematch with Mexico's Juan Francisco Estrada is expected to be another thrilling bout when they meet at the Forum this morning, Thai time.
Both are equally confident of winning the rematch after their first meeting last February at the same venue ended in a narrow victory for the Thai.
Two judges scored it in favour of the champion while the other saw it a draw.
Srisaket, 32, shot to fame when he dethroned previously unbeaten Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua with a majority decision at New York's Madison Square Garden in March 2017.
Later that year, Srisaket erased doubts about his ability by securing a fourth-round knockout win against Gonzalez in a rematch at StubHub Center in California.
Srisaket then beat Estrada in his second defence of the title.
The Thai claimed this week that he underestimated the Mexican as he believed he would beat anyone after scoring two wins against Gonzalez.
"I did not train very hard ahead of the bout against Estrada," said the Thai, known in Thailand as Srisaket Nakornloung Promotion.
He said he was well-prepared for the fourth defence of his title and was at full strength.
"I'm excited to be back fighting in the US," said the Thai champion, whose real name is Wisaksil Wangek.
"Estrada is a great fighter and we had an amazing fight last year. I believe this fight will be even more entertaining. I'm confident I'll be the winner."
The challenger turned 29 on April 14 and Srisaket said he would give him a 'birthday present."
"I will give him punches as a birthday present instead of a cake," Srisaket said, jokingly.
Srisaket, 47-4 with one draw and 41 knockouts, has won 20 fights in a row. He has not lost since falling to Mexico's Carlos Cuadras in May 2014.
In his most recent fight in October last year, the Thai beat Mexico's Iran Diaz by a unanimous decision in Bangkok to successfully defend the title for the third time.
Estrada, 38-3 with 26 knockouts, is a former WBA and WBO flyweight champion and has won twice since losing to the Thai star to earn another chance at the title.
"I'm extremely excited for this rematch," he said. "I'm getting ready to bring the title back to Mexico. I'm confident I'm going to win."
Estrada stopped fellow Mexican Victor Mendez in the eighth round in his previous bout in December. bangkok post/agencies
