Thais on course for perfect 10

Today's Sports News - Wednesday December 12, 2007

SEA GAMES / BOXING

Thais on course for perfect 10

Women feature in seven finals today

KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT

Nakhon Ratchasima _ Thailand are confident of making a clean sweep in boxing after their fighters reached the finals of all 10 weight classes. Five more Thai fighters secured easy wins in the men's boxing semi-finals yesterday.

They were light-flyweight Amnat Ruenroeng, bantamweight Worapoj Petchkoom, lightweight Pichai Sayotha, welterweight Non Boonjamnong and light heavyweight Angkhan Chomphuphuang.

The last time when Thailand hosted the SEA Games in Chiang Mai in 1995, Thai boxers reached all 12 finals and missed only one gold.

Yesterday, Amnat beat Albert Pabila of the Philippines 18-8 to set up a final date with Zamzai Azizi of Malaysia who took a narrow 16-15 win over Nhothin Holapatiphone of Laos.

''I could have stopped him but I wanted long warm-up for the next fight,'' said the 27-year-old star. ''The final will not be difficult for me.''

Olympic bronze medallist Worapoj, Pichai, Non and Angkhan all comfortably stopped their opponents.

Non, who finished Phet Vonthaphanh of Laos in the first round, is looking forward to another knockout win in the final as he will get extra money from Gen Taweep Jantararoj, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand

''He challenges me to score knockouts in every bout,'' Non said. ''He promises to give me extra money.''

The other five Thai boxers who had booked placed in the finals are pinweight Kaeo Pongprayoon, flyweight Somjit Jongjohor, featherweight Sailom Adi, Olympic light-welterweight champion Manus Boonjumnong and middleweight Suriya Prasathinphimai.

''I am confident that we will win all 10 golds although it could be tough for us in the 45kg division (pinweight),'' Taweep said.

In tomorrow's finals, seven Filipinos, two Malaysians and one Laotian are standing in Thailand's way for a clean sweep.

In women's boxing, Thai fighters feature in all seven finals today.

Bangkok Post