By Miguel Rivera

Dangerous Thai puncher Tewa Kiram was inspired by the feat of his countryman, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who last year upset the long odds when he twice defeated the then pound-for-pound king of the world, Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez.

Kiram wants to pull off the same accomplishment when he faces Lucas Matthysse on the 27th of January at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

The vacant WBA welterweight "regular" will be at stake in the contest.

Kiram, who has been practicing muay thay style since the age of seven, said in an interview with Golden Boy Promotions that becoming a welterweight champion of the World Boxing Association will help him change his life.

"I would definitely love to achieve what Srisaket did, it would be very big for me and I think I have the chance to do it. Matthysse is a good fighter who likes to come forward and I like that, it's going to be a great fight," Kiram said to ESPN Deportes.

 Kiram has done three months of work towards the fight that will broadcast as a co-featured attraction on HBO.

With a record of 38-0 and 28 knockouts, the quality of Kiram is unknown to many, but not to Matthysse (38-4, 35 KO's) - who assured that he has not underestimated him.

"I have a great strategy. I can not tell you now but I will find that opportunity and I will take it," said Kiram.

"I've been a welterweight for a long time and he's coming up from 140 pounds, I like that because I'm going to be the bigger man in the ring, I feel relaxed even though this will be my first fight outside of Thailand. to fight in the United States for a world championship, and I know that with a victory I'll be back here."

According to the oddsmakers, Matthysse is favorite by 6 to 1 to defeat Kiram.