Poonsawat on Kiko clash

26 August 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym is all out to break Irish hearts for a second time as he joined the ever growing number of fighters eager to fight Kiko Martinez.

The Thai who knocked Bernard Dunne into retirement last September, is willing to put his WBA World title on the line against the Spaniard providing he claims the European title in Dublin next month.

Martinez, who also beat Dublin hero Dunne, was expected to offer either EU and Irish super bantamweight champion Paulie Hyland or Prizefighter winner Willie Casey a coveted EBU shot if, as expected, he defeats Arsen Maritosyan in the National Stadium.

But with fellow banger Kratingdaenggym joining the race to fight the Spaniard, Martinez might elect to challenge for the World title rather than make a voluntary continental defence against either Irish star.

Kratingdaenggym also stated if either of the Irish stars were ranked high enough he would be willing to offer them a chance to win the belt that once sat proudly around the waste of Bernard Dunne.

I would like to fight Kiko Martinez, Kratingdaenggym exclusively told the Irish Mirror.

We have both defeated Bernard Dunne and I believe It would make a great fight. I heard Martinez has said he wants to fight me. I will listen to all challengers and I am open to fighting Kiko. If Kiko was to get the EBU title maybe he would have the confidence to challenge for the World title instead of defending his EBU belt, he added before discussing the Irish fighters.

I dont know much about either Hyland or Casey but as I said I’m ready to fight anybody in the world as I am confident of beating anyone. Last year when I went to fight in Ireland the Thai community there and also the Irish people gave me a very warm welcome. I really would love to go fight there again. But Hyland and Casey would have to be ranked and the offer would have to be right. I would have no problem fighting Bernard Dunne again too and I hope he is well.