Chokchai Chockvivat’s Flyweight Reign Crossed Paths
Chokchai Chockvivat faced Manny Pacquiao in an OPBF flyweight championship contest in Mandaluyong, Philippines, on June 26, 1997. Pacquiao won by fifth-round knockout, taking a regional title on his route toward world championship contention.
Career highlights
An orthodox boxer from Nang Rong, Thailand, Chokchai also used the name Bunpeng Klapayak. His recorded professional career began in May 1990 and included repeated appearances in Bangkok and other Thai cities.
He defeated Ledion Ceniza by majority decision in March 1995 before losing their January 1996 rematch by technical knockout. A split-decision victory over Melvin Magramo followed in Bangkok in June 1996.
After the Pacquiao contest
Chokchai continued competing after losing to Pacquiao. His later schedule included defeats to Pornsawan BM and Seung-Rok Choi in 1998. His final listed bout was a technical knockout victory over Kiatchaiyo Asawayothin in Pattaya in January 1999. His compiled record contains thirty-nine wins and five defeats.
His earlier overseas appearances included a knockout victory over Chang-Jae Kwon in Seongnam in October 1993. Back in Thailand, he stopped Joven Jorda in May 1996 and Ricky Sales that December, with a points win over Rico Paquibot between those contests. After the Pacquiao defeat, he knocked out Pudpad Sorsirichai at Bangkok’s Phraram 9 Plaza in December 1997.
Sources
- BoxRec: Chokchai’s identity, stance and hometown
- Premier Boxing Champions: Pacquiao–Chokchai date and knockout round
- World Boxing Council: Pacquiao’s OPBF title victory over Chokchai
- BoxerList: Chokchai’s professional record and later bouts
