Pongsaklek wants to fight in U.S., Europe - reports

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Record-breaking Thai flyweight Pongsaklek Wongjongkam plans to fight outside Asia for the first time in his career if he gets past Japan's Daisuke Naito in seven weeks time, local media reported on Tuesday.

Pongsaklek, who has made all of his 17 WBC title defenses in Thailand and Japan, said he wants to go to Europe or the United States for his 20th world title, but only if the money is right.

"If I get past this fight I would like to fight in Europe or America if asked to go there, no matter who the opponent is," he was quoted as saying by the Thai-language Daily News.

"I'll fight there if the money is good. I'd like to gain the experience, become more famous and represent my country."

The Thai southpaw will travel to Tokyo on July 18 to take on Naito (32-2-2), who he has knocked out twice since 2002, the first time in a record 34 seconds.

Pongsaklek (65-2) has been accused of turning down overseas fights and avoiding big-name opponents to cling on to his belt, a claim he and his handlers reject.

He was previously allowed to go more than three years without facing a mandatory challenger, but is reportedly interested in taking on undefeated IBF and IBO champion Vic Darchinyan of Australia.

Armenian-born Darchinyan (28-0-0) once said Pongsaklek, who is unbeaten in 11 years, was not the division's real champion because he had never fought in the U.S.