Wanheng Menayothin Professional Thai boxer Date of Birth: 27.10.1985 Country: Thailand

1. Vanheng Meenayothin: Thai Boxing Prodigy
2. Matching Mayweather's Record
3. Undefeated Champions
4. Record Breakers
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Vanheng Meenayothin: Thai Boxing Prodigy

Thai professional boxer Vanheng Meenayothin has replicated and threatened Floyd Mayweather's undefeated 50-fight streak. The 32-year-old dethroned, but has yet to supersede, the American after knocking out Panamanian Leroy Estrada in the fifth round on May 2, 2018. The victory cemented his reign as the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight champion, a title he has held since November 6, 2014, when he defeated Mexican Oswaldo Novoa. Nicknamed 'the Giant Dwarf,' Meenayothin has recorded 18 knockouts in his 50 professional fights.

Matching Mayweather's Record

Vanheng equaled Mayweather's record exactly three years after the latter's unanimous decision victory over Filipino Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2, 2015. "I thought the fight would be much harder than this," said Meenayothin after successfully defending his title for the ninth time. "Estrada is young and strong. But he kept his guard down, so I took my chance. After that, everything was smooth." Vanheng sent the Mexican to the canvas twice in the second round and again in the fourth in front of a home crowd in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. "I wasn't confident that I'd win because the fight was supposed to last 12 rounds," said Meenayothin. "But now I'm so happy that I've matched Mayweather's record.

Undefeated Champions

Vanheng maintains that he is not preoccupied with the prospect of winning 51 straight fights, but will continue training for his next bout. "He's 32 but he's still strong and fit," said Suparb Boonrod, Meenayothin's trainer. "He's very disciplined and hardworking, so 51 consecutive wins is possible for him." Mayweather, a welterweight widely hailed as 'the best boxer of his era,' retired from boxing in August 2017 after defeating Conor McGregor via technical knockout in the tenth round. The victory saw Mayweather surpass heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano, who retired from boxing in 1956 with a 49-0 record.

Record Breakers

The all-time record for the most consecutive wins in boxing belongs to Mexican Ricardo Lopez, who retired with a 51-0-1 record, with only one fight ending in a draw. Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez managed an 87-fight winning streak before a controversial majority draw against Pernell Whitaker in 1993. Chávez suffered his first loss in his 90th professional fight. Several modern boxers have retired undefeated, including Brit Joe Calzaghe (46-0) and German Sven Ottke. However, only Mayweather has retired with 50 wins, no losses, and no draws.

Personal Life and Legacy

Vanheng Meenayothin was born on October 27, 1985, in Maha Sarakham, Thailand. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bangkokthonburi University. Meenayothin is a member of the WBC's 'Clean Boxing' program in partnership with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). As of May 2017, Vanheng is ranked as the world's best minimumweight boxer by 'The Ring' magazine, the BoxRec website, and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, composed of independent and professional journalists, boxing historians, and record keepers from around the world.