In early 2006, Somsak Sithchatchawal (46-1-1, 36 knockouts) had won the WBA junior featherweight title, when he stunningly stopped long-reigning champion Mahyar Monshipour in 10-rounds, in Paris, France, in what was later named The Ring's Fight of The Year.

Meanwhile, Celestino Caballero (24-2, 17 KOs), who was on a five-fight winning streak, had claimed the WBA interim title, outpointing Yober Ortega (UD 12) before successfully defending against Roberto Bonilla (RTD 8) in February 2006.

The two sides worked out a deal to consolidate the WBA title that saw Somsak gain home advantage.

"It was the highest purse at the time because in Panama I had earned $25,000 for defending the Interim title," Caballero told The Ring. "For the fight against Somsak, it was $100,000."

Caballero, who trained at home in Panama under the watchful eye of trainer Celso Chavez, flew with his team, six-hours from Panama City to Los Angeles, then took a 13-hour flight to Taipei and a further three hours to Thailand.

The Panamanian, who was nearly 11,000 miles from home, arrived 12-days before the fight to acclimate to the 12-hour time difference.

"On the trip I was relaxed because I prepared very well," he said. "It was easy, when I left Panama, I set my watch to Thai time. We arrived in Los Angeles at night and then left for Chinese Taipei in the morning. I didn't sleep during the day, Thai time, only at night, Thai time. I did this from the moment I left Panama and continued even on the flights.

"I arrived at dawn, I only slept two hours. At 6:30 a.m., I was already in a park jogging."

Caballero and his team stayed at a hotel in the popular tourist hotspot of Nana Street known for its night life. Which would have been a distraction to some fighters.

"I didn't go to Thailand to rest, I went to win the world title and Nana Street was easy," he explained. "I only dedicated myself to training and that didn't distract me."

Caballero was very disciplined during his stay; he bought groceries and was mindful of what he ate.

However, he did enjoy some of the local sights, experienced some of the local customs and some fun with his team.

"Thailand is cheap and incredible," he said. "I rode the tuk-tuk every day. It's also fun, the metro to go to the mall. I noticed that they leave their stalls, and no one touches anything.

"I love the structures of the temples and the parks. I saw that the lizards were in the park outside the lake and all of them were running nearby. I did move away.

"I also gave fried worms to my coach, Chavez, to eat without him knowing it was a worm [Laughs.]"

The serious business of the fight took place at a Buddhist temple in Wat Ban Rai, a remote part of Thailand.

"Thailand was a big journey," he said. "On the day of the fight, we had to travel three hours, and the Thais took one hour more to get [us] there. I could only warm up quickly."

Once in the ring, Caballero was given another disadvantage.

"I also had the sun hitting my corner and Somsak's corner had shade," he said. "The heat was strong, they put me on the side where the sun was shining and it hurt my vision, I had to look to the floor. I waited in the ring for about 15, 20 minutes."

When the action got underway, Caballero boxed within himself.

"My trainer Celso Chavez told me not to let him punch me in the first rounds because it was clear he had power," said Caballero. "So, I went out and boxed him and I timed his movements.

In the third round, Caballero turned the fight irrevocably in his favor dropping Somsak three times and forcing experienced referee John Coyle to stop the action at 1:48.

"When I hit him with the first shot, I knew I would knock him out," he said. "Then I finished him with a right straight which fractured his septum of his nose.

"Winning the title for me was something of a dream because no Panamanian had ever been crowned in Thailand before, it was an honor for me."

His joy was temporarily cut short.

"We got out of the ring after 30 minutes we were looking for our bus, but they had taken Somsak to the hospital and left us there for two-and-a-half hours," he recalled. "The good thing is the Panamanian consul in Thailand was at the fight with his family and he had a 15-passenger van, and we were able to go with him.

"The promoter arrived at [the hotel] around 11:30 p.m. to pay me and they transported me safely to the airport and everything else."

When Caballero returned home, he was met with a hero's welcome from his proud countrymen.

"I was received by the humble people of my country, family and friends," he said proudly. "[They] gave me an excellent welcome that I still remember fondly."