Name: Yodsanan Nanth Career Record: click Alias: 3-K Battery Birth Name: Peera Pongwan Nationality: Thai Birthplace: Srisaket, Thailand Hometown: Srisaket, Thailand Born: 1970-08-12 Stance: Southpaw Height: 5' 5.5"

Professional Career

Yodsanan has been fighting as a pro since 1993. The former WBA 130-pound world champion, he won the title in April, 2002, and made three successful title defenses before losing the title to Vincente Mosquera by 12 round UD at Madison Square Garden April 30th, 2005.

Yodsanan made his U.S. debut on August 7th, 2004 on the undercard of Acelino Freitas vs. Diego Corrales with a 12 round UD win aginst Steve Forbes. Except for his previous fight, which was in Japan, all of his other fights have been in his native Thailand.

Promoter Art Pelullo said, “We’re very excited about signing this sensational world champion to a promotional deal, and we’re planning big things for him. There are many fighters who are comfortable fighting only in their home countries, and never establish themselves as a star in America. Then there are fighters like Acelino Freitas from Brazil and Manny Pacquiao from the Philippines who have come here and become major stars. Yodsanan has an exciting style in the ring and tremendous punching power, and I think he has the talent and charisma to become a major star in America, as well.”

Yodsanan said through an interpreter, “I look forward to this opportunity to fight in America with great excitement. I expect to represent Thailand to the best of my abilities. I am ready to go.”

Yodsanan won the WBA world title that was vacated by Freitas when the WBA designated Freitas as a “super” world champion.

A national hero in Thailand, Yodsanan once fought in front 60,000 fans in Bangkok as part of King Bhumiphol’s birthday celebration. The news of his signing a promotional contract to fight in America made headlines in newspapers across the country, and became an issue of national pride that drew the attention of Thailand’s King and Prime Minister.

“3K Battery” is the name of a sponsor to whom Yodsanan in under contract. Yodsanan has also used the names Sornontachai Yodesenan and Yodsanan Nantachai. Nantachai, however, is the family name of an early sponsor with whom he is no longer associated. The name on his passport is Peera Pongwan.