Eagle Den Junlaphan: Boxing Career and Notable Fights

Eagle Den Junlaphan, better known by his ring name Eagle Kyowa, was a Thai professional boxer who competed in the minimumweight (105 lb) division from 2000 to 2007. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest minimumweight champions in boxing history, having held the WBC strawweight title twice during his illustrious career.

Eagle Den Junlaphan’s boxing career

Junlaphan was born on December 4, 1978, in Phichit Province, Thailand.

Junlaphan’s professional journey began in January 2000 when he made his debut in Bangkok. He quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, amassing an impressive record of 18 wins and 2 losses, with 6 victories coming by way of knockout.

In January 2004, Junlaphan achieved his first major milestone by capturing the WBC minimumweight title with a unanimous decision victory over José Antonio Aguirre. He successfully defended his title once before suffering a shoulder injury that led to a fourth-round technical-knockout loss to Isaac Bustos in December 2004.

Undeterred by this setback, Junlaphan made a triumphant return in August 2005, regaining the WBC minimumweight title by defeating Katsunari Takayama in a hard-fought unanimous decision. This marked the beginning of his second reign as champion, during which he defended his title four times against formidable opponents.

One of Junlaphan’s most memorable performances came on May 6, 2006, when he defeated the undefeated Filipino boxer Rodel Mayol in a thrilling 12-round unanimous decision. The decision gave Junlaphan a win over the previously undefeated Mayol.

Junlaphan’s reign as champion came to an end on November 29, 2007, when he lost the WBC minimumweight title to Oleydong Sithsamerchai. Despite this loss, Junlaphan’s legacy as a true warrior of the ring was firmly established, and he retired with a remarkable professional record of 18 wins, 2 losses, and 6 knockouts.

Throughout his career, Junlaphan’s fighting style was characterized by his relentless pressure, exceptional footwork, and accurate punching combinations. His ability to adapt and overcome adversity, coupled with his unwavering determination, made him a fan favorite and earned him the respect of his peers and boxing enthusiasts worldwide.

Junlaphan’s championship record includes victories over José Antonio Aguirre, Katsunari Takayama, Rodel Mayol and Akira Yaegashi across his two WBC minimumweight reigns. His career ended after the 2007 loss to Oleydong Sithsamerchai.

Sources

Additional sources: https://philboxing.com/story-11063; https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Eagle_Den_Junlaphan; https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/WBC_Minimumweight_Title_Fights

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