Thai fighters had mixed luck in the Asian Games boxing competition at the Aspire Hall yesterday, with Athens Olympic hero Manus Boonjumnong adding another gold to his remarkable collection and reigning champ Somjit Jongjohor bitterly losing his crown to Filipino Violito Payla.

For Manus, it was a successful comeback after a two-year absence from the ring since capturing the gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games and the hearts of the Thai public.

The scintillating 22-11 triumph yesterday was proof that the reformed playboy has already redeemed himself and winning the gold in Doha would certainly be a loud announcement to Asia and the world alike that Manus is back and raring to go.

Against the stronger-built Shin Myung Hoon in the final, Manus troubled the Korean challenger with exceptional hard punches to his face and body before hitting a right hook to the face twice. The first two rounds were dominated by the Thai fighter as he led 14-4. In the third round, the Korean's piston-like right jabs and straight right and left punches changed the atmosphere of the Korean fans at the venue from hopes to confidence as Shin narrowed the gap to 10-18.

Manus did not fare well in the round as he thought he was too clever, too quick and much smarter.

Learning that he was leading, Manus made fun with his opponent, as previous Olympic hero Somluck Khamsing did before.

In an effort to gain more points, the Korean tried to upset the Thai with a last-ditch flurry, but Manus gained the upper hand with more accurate shots. After the thrilling battle, Manus' arm was raised as the champion. The Thai's corner exploded with joy.

Manus leaped and hugged his staff coaches before holding up a portrait of Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"I was quite confident of winning the gold medal going through to the semi-finals and found that I wouldn't have to take on Uzbekistan's Dilshod Mahmudov. Actually, I lost to Shin in the last eight at the Busan Games. I studied his tape. And during the fight with him, I fought according to the plan set by my coach," said the 26-year-old Manus, who hails from Ratchaburi.

"I would like to thank [Cuban coach] Juan Fontanills, who trained me hard during my two-month stay in Cuba. There, I could not go anywhere - no drinking, no gambling, doing nothing but training, sleeping and sparring. The dedication bore fruit pretty well here.

"I also thank General Taweep [Jantaroj], president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand, who gave me a chance to make a comeback. From now on, I will be disciplined and train much harder to make the cut for the Olympic Games in Beijing. I want to repeat the feat there."

For his victory in the light welterweight 64kg class, Manus will receive a handsome Bt1 million in cash from the National Sports Development Fund.

Earlier, Thailand suffered a major setback when their gold-medal hopeful Somjit Jongjohor was sent packing 15-31 by Filipino Violito Payla in the flyweight 51kg category.

"I was not prepared enough. But the match turned around because of the judge. I think he pressed his button according to the people around the ring. I feel really disappointed about the score," said a sad Somjit.

"Four years ago, I won the gold, but this time I have to be content with silver. But this is solid proof that I'm still in good shape. In the first two rounds, my score was good, but my coach said that I was behind. I felt really pressured about this and a bit shocked about the points difference.

"After the second round with the big points difference, I decided to be more aggressive, which meant I fell into his trap and it became worse. The pressure built up against me from the points and the Filipino supporters.

"However, I admit that Payla is very fast. He punched much better than me. I also have a right shoulder injury from the recent hard training.

"This should be my last Asian Games. However, after returning to Thailand, I will train much harder to make it to the Beijing Olympic Games," added Somjit, the lone gold medallist at the 2003 World Championship and the previous Asian Games in Busan.

Despite the loss, Somjit will receive Bt500,000 from the NSDF.

Two more Thai fighters will enter the ring for the final clash today, with the wushu-cum-boxer exponent Angkhan Chomphuphuang taking on Kazakhstan's Bakhyt Sarsekbayev in the welterweight 69kg and Suban Pannon going up against Chinese Zou Shiming in the light flyweight 48kg division.

Preechachan     Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Doha