Muay Thai top boxer Buakaw disappoints fans
Muay Thai top boxer Buakaw Banchamek (31) has some explaining to do. On Saturday night he left the arena of the K-1 World Max Final (70 kilos) in Pattaya after three rounds and did not return for the decisive final round, leaving Germany's Enriko Kehl with the honours.
The K-1 organization is considering action against the two-time K-1 world champion, who played a key role in popularizing Muay Thai boxing worldwide.
"We are still shocked by the incident and awaiting the reason," said Ned Kurarc of K-1 Global Holdings, the organizer of K-1 fights around the world.
Buakaw and his handlers say they left because the organization changed the rules regarding gambling just hours before the fight.
But Kurarc says the extra round was introduced 10 years ago. He does not want to say whether Buakaw's contract, which expires at the end of this year, will be terminated. According to him, it is not a financial conflict because Buakaw was already paid on September 22, he reportedly received 2 million baht.
It is not the first time that Buakaw has caused a stir. Two years ago he left the training camp, which had supported him since childhood. He claimed to have been treated badly, but later admitted that this was not the real reason: he wanted a larger share of the boxing fee. He was also at odds with the organization of Thai Fight. He no longer fights in that tournament.
Sports journalist Sroi Mungmee calls Buakaw's abrupt departure different from the previous incidents. "He should have respected his fans more because they paid a lot of money to see him fight." Buakaw will hold a press conference today, where he will explain his rationale. The organization already held a press conference yesterday.
(Source: Bangkok Post, October 14, 2014)
According to my wife who has been a big fan of Buakaw (the Wiitte Lotus) for years, it is already written on his Facebook page that he ran away because of Matchfixing, according to the article on his page he had to leave his opponent after the third round. win, this would be all about betting on this match.
Match fixing comes in 99% of the cases from Asians and therefore also Thai, I think when I read the story it has more to do with the morality of today's Thai.
So why not this star Thai boxer or a bit lazy, arrogant, and everything just has to come naturally, not to mention a lot of money.
My friend who owns http://www.muaythaiboksen.com told me.
Buakaw to do the right thing. He's doing what it should be for Muay Thai's honor. No gambling!!