BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s top boxing official on Wednesday vowed to carry out stringent checks on all fighters after the death of a Filipino boxer last week.
World Boxing Council (WBC) Vice-President Kovit Bhakdibhumi said rogue Thai promoters were endangering the safety of boxers by arranging fights without the approval of national boxing commissions.
Super-flyweight Lito Sisnorio died on Saturday after sustaining severe head injuries during an undercard bout with former WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul, a fight which Filipino boxing chiefs said should never have taken place.
“I feel very strongly about the death of Lito Sisnorio — we don’t want these mismatches,” Kovit told Reuters in an interview.
“We have been warning the promoters in Thailand. Now, we will check every fight, even the warm up bouts and the undercard fights.
“I don’t care if the promoters are unhappy. That’s not important.”
The Philippines Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on Tuesday suspended its fighters from competing in Thailand in protest against promoters who were setting up fights without proper authorisation.
