Muay Thai – Blindfolded!

Medic!

By 9pm Thaphae Boxing Stadium was already packed with a good mix of locals and tourists, all ready to watch and enjoy the nights entertainment with eight bouts scheduled including women fighters. Having purchased our VIP tickets earlier (and chosen our seats) we were ringside, right up against the ring ready to be splattered with blood, sweat and gore – we were not disappointed, a young guy in the second fight had his nose mashed across his face – it was a great punch and he was pretty much KO’d right in front of us and he spent a good five or so minutes on the deck receiving treatment.

The women fighters were good though one was busy preening herself through out the fight and eventually went on to lose. Unlike the men, they were a lot more graceful relying more on their kicking ability rather than punching and were quite ‘friendly’ with each other – almost apologising if one took a punch to the face.

Pre-fight rituals

Unfortunately the main fight – a farang versus a local didn’t happen, the farang had called in sick and was not going to be fighting – however, the referee called his manager in to the ring (along with the local he was due to fight) to explain why this fight wasn’t going to happen – in these instances I think the manager should take his fighters place!

The highlight of the night was during an interval when several fighters entered the ring and were then all blindfolded – they fought each other for a good five minutes not knowing where anyone was – even the referee copped a few punches (see 45 seconds in) though these were deserved, he was going around the ring kicking the fighters, it was hilarious!

All in all, another great night of Muay Thai – hopefully we’ll catch some more before leaving Thailand.

Real Muay Thai, Part: War – Elbow – Blood

Muay Thai is huge in Chiang Mai with fights taking place most nights.

We’re heading to the Thaphae Boxing Stadium later this evening for an England v Thailand International, Luke (England) v Pharnphet (Thailand) – hilariously, the poster states Part: War – Elbow – Blood! On the bill tonight are 8 Top Class Fights and Gambling Max (whatever that means) and also fighting are ‘Lady Boxers’ – Phetrimdoi & Audy (almost sounding like our own Audley Harrison though no doubt much tougher and will put up a better fight, possibly throwing a punch or two!)

Should be a great night.

Part: War - Elbow - Blood

 

 

Muay Thai Fight Night

A great night out watching the Muay Thai Boxing in Sairee this evening – made much better because there were several farangs on the card and whilst the locals were all friendly there was definitely a frisson each and every time a farang entered the ring! The event was quite low-key – a boxing ring with a couple of raised platforms on two sides,  a small stall selling beers and open air changing rooms all adding to the ambience of the evening with about 300 or so watching.

Three sides for the ring had seating with one side ‘reserved’ for standing only – this was the best place to be, amongst the locals and half a dozen or so farangs, all cheering the fighters and getting very animated. Whilst I didn’t see any betting I’m sure it was taking place.

There were about twelve fights scheduled, starting with the ‘kids’ – I use the term lightly, these young guys were hard as nails and gave their all in the ring, it was impressive stuff. Each fight was preceded by each fighter paying their respect to the ring and the opponent – at least this is what it looked like – bowing down/saluting each corner of the ring, getting on their knees mid-ring, bowing down before  knocking gloves with the person they were about to fight.

Following the bell the fight began. Each fight is scheduled for five rounds and they’re mostly kicking, not much in the way of hand combinations though plenty of elbows were flying in with lots of knees to the ribs, its brutal stuff – as I said, these were the ‘kids’ fights, I winced, just watching.

We then had the first of the farangs up and the crowd (in the standing area) became quite animated! It was a good fight though it’s quite apparent that the ‘farang’ is a lot larger than your average Thai – however, regardless of size the Thai guys do get stuck in. Elbows, knees, kicks and punches all landed and by the third round (out of five) the farang won – more through size than anything else.

More fights followed – one farang in the first round came out very strong, solid kicks and very good combinations, within a minute he looked as if he broke the other guys leg after they clashed legs, it was one hell of a kick which happened right in front of me – I’m still not sure how the guy wasn’t launched out of the ring.

The fight was stopped and the local guy was carried out of the ring in quite some pain.

It’s been a top night and really pleased we got to see it in such an intimate ‘venue’ – it made for a great atmosphere and whilst watching I had visions of being up there, yeah – I would’ve been a contender, or as Tug said ‘…come and get some chump…’

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