The Chairman of the Games and Amusements Board of the Philippines, Eric Buhain, told the Post yesterday that he is suspending all Filipino fighters from coming to Thailand to fight. That decision came after Lito Sisnorio died following a fight with former world flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul.
But when he was told that a Thai fighter, Deeden Kengkaroon, had been to the Philippines for a fight recently and had died on Saturday after suffering convulsions, he was surprised.
Panya who promotes most fights between Thai and Filipino fighters said yesterday: “Filipino fighters come to Thailand to earn money and help their poor relatives.
”It is very unfortunate that Lito Sisnorio met with this tragic and untimely death but we took all precautions that were possible.
”We had two ring doctors last Friday and one of them passed Lito as okay.
”It was unfortunate that he had suffered a brain injury but nothing was visible immediately after the fight.
”No-one is to be blamed and I hope the concerned people in boxing in the Philippines will help us to get the body across to Sisnorio’s relatives.
”The promoter Khun Virat and his nephew Khun Piyarat want to do everything possible to help Sisnorio’s relatives.”
The remains of Philippine boxer Sisnorio look destined to stay in Bangkok for a few more days.
Sisnorio died after brain surgery on Saturday night at the Piyamin Hospital following his contest.
He has since been moved to the Paolo Memorial Hospital.
Sisnorio is from Mindanao, which is an island in the Philippines which isn’t easily accessible.
Boxing promoter Piyarat Wachiraratanawongse’s assistant Panya Prachakorn approached the Philippine Embassy yesterday in an effort to have the remains despatched soon but was told that he has to wait a few days until Sisnorio’s relatives are reached.
”They told me that it is not easy to communicate with anyone in Mindanao quickly,” said Panya.
