Dunne could face Thai defence

Bernard Dunne will have to make the first defence of his WBA Super Bantamweight World title against Thai fighter Poonsawat Kratingdaeng or forfeit the belt, writes Jonny Stapleton.

Dubliner Dunne has been linked with a host of names since dramatically beating Ricardo Cordoba to claim the world crown, but his next fight will be against 28-year-old Kratingdaeng (38-1-27KO).

Furthermore, the bout could be hosted in Thailand this September.

The WBA confirmed on Tuesday evening that Dunne would have to take on mandatory challenger and WBA Interim champion Kratingdaeng, a fighter who also defeated Cordoba, or forfeit the belt.

The boxing governing body also announced that they had decided to open the fight to purse bidding.

The bidding will take place next Monday, 20 July at 6pm at the European Boxing Association in Spain and the promoter who makes the highest offer will get to promote the fight.

It is believed Irish promoter Brian Magee, the man who plotted Dunne’s European downfall by bringing Kiko Matinez to Dublin, was to bid on behalf of Kratingdaeng.

There are also suggestions Dunne might vacate the title and step up to featherweight to challenge IBF champion Cristobel Cruz, but Tommy Egan, who works on behalf of Cruz promoters Banner Promotions in Ireland, claimed no discussions regarding that bout have been made.

Furthermore, the Thai’s management team revealed that since the WBA opened the fight to purse bidding Galaxy Promotions have received contact from Dunne’s manager Brian Peters.

Neither camp want the bout to go to purse bids and are looking to strike a deal between themselves prior to next Monday's bidding deadline.

'We just had our first contact from Brain Peters Promotions about the Dunne Kratingdaeng fight. Neither camp wants the fight to go to the purse bid, so we have started to negotiate with Brian Peters.

'What Galaxy Promotions are trying to do right now is to bring Dunne to fight Kratingdaeng in Thailand around the end of September.

'We have been informed Dunne can't take a voluntary defence anymore, he must face Poonsawat for his next defence. So we are now in talks to ensure that happens with both teams happy,' Terry Laosuwanwat explained on Wednesday.