WORLD BEAT
it historic. It had been 17 years since a boxing world title bout graced this iconic venue. For those unfamiliar, Rajadamnern Stadium is a distinguished venue for combat sports. Its natural, rugged charm feels like stepping back in time. The atmosphere is gripping, with fans – many of them Muay Thai gamblers – creating a symphony of cheers and animated gestures as they track the shifting odds. It’s a scene like no other, a Colosseum for modern gladiators. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through Canizales’ mind as he walked into this arena. Far from home, surrounded by passionate Thai fans rooting for their local hero, he carried himself with the calm of a seasoned warrior. For the Venezuelan, this wasn’t unfamiliar territory – he had walked this path before, stepping into opponents’ backyards and thriving in hostile environments.
By the 11th round, the visitor was relentless, pinning Pradabsri to the ropes and unleashing a barrage of punches. The Venezuelan seemed on the verge of a stoppage, but Pradabsri held on, clinching and throwing just enough to avoid the referee’s intervention. When the final bell rang, I was certain of the outcome. Canizales had done enough – or so it seemed. As the ring announcer read the scorecards, the crowd grew tense. “Judge Malcom Bulner scored it 114- 114, a draw. Judge Zanashir Taznaa had it 116-112 for Pradabsri. And Judge Antonio Carrillo scored it 115- 113 for Pradabsri.” The verdict sent shockwaves through the arena, and disbelief quickly turned to outrage. Even Pradabsri’s home supporters, known for their unwavering passion, booed the decision. When the hometown crowd is booing their own fighter, you know something went wrong. It was baffling to hear that Judge Antonio Carrillo had given the 11th round – a round where Canizales clearly dominated – to Pradabsri. The Venezuelan’s team erupted in protest, blocking TV crews in their frustration as the new champion was crowned. In my eyes, Canizales had done enough and should have left Thailand that night with the belt. Professional boxing in Thailand is at a crossroads. Nights like this risk undermining the sport’s integrity, particularly on such a historic stage as Rajadamnern. While rumors of a rematch swirl, the question remains: Can professional boxing in Thailand reclaim its credibility in the eyes of the world? As I left the stadium, the weight of the night stayed with me. Rajadamnern Stadium had delivered a spectacle, but it also reignited an all-too-familiar debate about judging in the sport. The decision overshadowed what should have been a celebration of the sweet science. Thailand has a new world champion – but at what cost? The controversy surrounding the scorecards
has left a lingering question about fairness, casting a shadow over the night and raising doubts about the credibility of the sport in the region. For all its triumphs and controversies, the night was unforgettable – a chapter etched into Thailand’s rich, yet complicated, boxing history.
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AUSTRALIA BY ANTHONY COCKS Jai Opetaia delivers brutal KO in homecoming fight Ring Magazine and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has cleared the path to a May unification bout with WBA/WBO counterpart Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez after brutally icing David Nyika in four rounds at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, on January 8. New Zealand’s Nyika, who took the bout on three weeks’ notice after original opponent Huseyin Cinkara of Germany suffered an ankle injury, came out firing at the opening bell. In the second round, he craftily switched to southpaw in a clinch, created some space and then nailed Opetaia with a left cross high on the head that buzzed the champion. It was his best moment of the fight. It was also the worst thing he could’ve done. Opetaia’s manager, Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters, warned Nyika in the week leading up to the fight about the perils of antagonizing his fighter. “If he is going to get under Jai’s skin, which he is starting to, the fight might not last long. When you poke the bear, the bear bites,” Francis told news agency AAP.
On the day of the fight, the atmosphere was buzzing with
anticipation. I arrived at the stadium early and was whisked away to the back with Chatchai, who asked me to supervise the hand-wrapping of Canizales. It was a surreal moment, a reminder of my early days in Thailand when I served as an assistant trainer under Chatchai. Back then, I learned to navigate the nuances of training fighters and the intricate politics of the fight game. The fight itself was a testament to the courage of both men. From the opening bell, Canizales came out aggressively, targeting Pradabsri’s body and head with precision. The Thai champion, true to form, began cautiously, circling and countering when openings appeared. By the middle rounds, a pattern emerged: The Venezuelan pressed the action while Pradabsri relied on sharp, single counters. As the rounds wore on, it became evident that Canizales was in control. His combinations were crisper, his punches heavier. Pradabsri, showing signs of fatigue, was forced to retreat and rely on survival tactics.
Opetaia (right) was tagged early by Nyika but soon overwhelmed the brave prospect.
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