Danthai won all five rounds of the championship contest, proving too strong for a gallant Keddle, who refused to be intimidated by the Thai champion's superior strength in close range grappling.

Keddle was kicked hard to his body in every round, but said at no stage did he consider throwing in the towel.

"Danthai is a very good fighter and his muay Thai skills are at the highest level. To win I had to put pressure on the Thai champion, but I couldn't score enough with hard punches," he said.

At the weigh-in ceremony at the Renaissance Reading Hotel, Danthai predicted he would win by a knockout in the second round.

"Keddle protected himself very well and his strong resistance forced me to change tactics and win on points," Danthai told Sky Sports after the contest.

On the same card, Britain's sensational super flyweight champion Dale White won the WBC international championship belt with a stunning second round knockout of Aalexei Blizvev of Belarus.

Promoter Nash Keshwala of United as One Promotions said muay Thai had become one of the most popular ring sports in Great Britain.

"This is the second time that WBC Muaythai world championships have been staged in England. British fighters are excelling in muay Thai and I am sure there will be two or more world champions from Great Britain."

The WBC-sanctioned muay Thai world championships at Reading were televised by Sky Sports throughout Europe.

Patrick Cusick

The Nation

Reading, England