KING’S DEATH ENDS A GOLDEN CHAPTER FOR WORLD BOXING
Top WBC officials praise His Majesty’s great contributions, writes Kittipong Thongsombat
Exploits of Thai fighters in the international ring have been extensively chronicled, but not many people are aware of the enormous contributions that His Majesty the King made to develop boxing and Muay Thai out of the public view.
The King passed away on Oct 13 and left behind a legacy that will keep inspiring people to work selflessly for the development of sports, not only in Thailand but throughout the world.
A group of senior boxing officials, while mourning the passing of His Majesty, have spoken very highly of his contributions.
“Boxing has lost one of the most influential persons who has ever supported the sport: King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away last week in Bangkok, Thailand,” said Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council, in his condolence message.
The Mexican pointed out that the King had played an important role in promoting professional boxing in the country and also in introducing Muay Thai, the traditional martial art of the Kingdom, to the world.
“The King was a strong supporter and his dedication and determination opened the doors of his country to international boxing and also opened the doors of the world to Muay Thai, which is the national sport in the Kingdom,” he said.
For his contributions, His Majesty was bestowed with the WBC’s “Golden Shining Symbol of World Leadership Award” in 2001.
The WBC president added that Thailand became actively involved in professional boxing in the early 1980s following the combined efforts made by his late father Jose Sulaiman, the late Sombhop Srismvongse and Edward Thangarajah, who all had the opportunities to meet the King of Thailand.
“My father was fortunate to meet the King on many occasions, and it was the King’s wish to see Muay Thai be respected worldwide. The WBC formed the WBC Muay Thai committee, which sanctions events worldwide.”
Thailand has become one of the strongholds for the WBC and it has hosted the organisation’s annual convention on six occasions.
So far, the country has produced 24 WBC champions, including reigning minimum weight title-holder Wanheng Meenayothin.
Mauricio Sulaiman said that with the passing of the King, an important era has ended and there will be a need to regroup and create a new plan of action, which will certainly honour of His Majesty’s legacy.
WBC executive secretary Thangarajah, who had audiences with the King twice, said that His Majesty loved boxing and Muay Thai and his support and guidance were instrumental in developing the two sports.
“His Majesty spoke highly about boxing and Muay Thai,” said the 84-year-old Thangarajah.
“It is important for us to continue promoting these sports.”
WBC first vice-president Gen Kovid Bhakdibhumi said the late WBC president Jose Sulaiman and he were surprised with the King’s knowledge of boxing when they had an audience with His Majesty in 2003.
“His Majesty loved boxing and knew the sport really well. His technical knowledge of boxing took us by surprise,” Kovid said.
“It was a 45-minute meeting and we were really proud to have such a great opportunity.
“As far as I know, His Majesty always followed all the boxing news even when he visited the people upcountry.”
Kovid said that Muay Thai’s popularity rose due largely to the King’s wish to see the country’s traditional sport being recognised worldwide.
A year after the audience with the King, Muay Thai was formally included into the WBC fold with the approval from its 165 member countries. Since then, the sport has been continuously and systemically developed.
Kovid said it was the commitment of the King and the formulation of a concrete plan which have been helping both professional boxing and Muay Thai move forward to this day.
Meanwhile, former WBA juniorbantamweight champion Khaosai Galaxy said he felt very grateful to have met the King twice.
“The King worked very hard for his country,” said Khaosai who successfully defended his title for 19 consecutive times.
Khaosai, now 57, was at Sanam Luang yesterday to give free food to those who visited Grand Palace to pay their respects to the King.