THE RESURGENCE OF BOXING IN THAILAND

Thailand has been always an amazing boxing country throughout its history, nevertheless at some point it lacked of international activity.

This all changed in 1982, when Sombhop Srismvongse and Edward Thangarajah agreed with World Boxing Council President Don José Sulaimán,  to boost  the sport in that country.

Don Jose was fortunate to have several meetings with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who asked him to support boxing internationally and Muay Thai (traditional sport in Thailand), making it a respected discipline around the world.

The World Boxing Council has had 24 champions from Thailand including Chartchai Chionoi, Saensak Muangsurin, Sot Chitalada, Samart Payakaroon, Sirimongkol Singmanassuk, Chatchai Sasakul, Veeraphol Nakhonluang, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Sirimongkol Singmanassuk, Oleydong Sithsamerchai, among others. And it has held 6 annual conventions in that country – three in Bangkok, and the other ones in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya.

In 2017 there will be great activity of Thai fighters in honor of the late King Aduluyadej, who was a beloved leader and a great impetus for boxing and Muay Thai.

Wanheng Menayothin (44-0-0, 17KO’S) will put on the line his title  against undefeated Filipino Melvin Jerusalem (11-0-0, 7 KO’S) on  Wednesday in Phitsanulok, Thailand.

Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai will face Mexico’s Juan “Churritos” Hernandez, ranked No. 2, on March 4 at the National Stadium Gymnasium in Bangkok, for the vacant flyweight  World Boxing Council crown.

On March 18, during an international card at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York, former champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai will challenge the world’s best pound for pound, WBC super flyweight champion, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. On that same card, the Kazakh Gennady Golovkin, will defend his WBC middle crown against the American Daniel Jacobs.