Boxing superstarvanishes mid-fight
A much-awaited bout between Muay Thai superstar Sombat "Buakaw" Banchamek and Germany's Enriko Kehl took a strange twist on Saturday night when the three-round fight ended in a draw and went down to a decider round — but the Thai boxer was nowhere to be seen.
Published: 13/10/2014 at 06:00 AM
Newspaper section: news
Buakaw, 31, was disqualified and his 22-year-old German opponent was crowned the new champion in the 70-kilogramme division, amid boos and jeers from the crowd in Pattaya.
Early yesterday, a message posted on his Banchamek Gym's Facebook page said: "I apologise for making my supporters
puzzled.
"You'll soon understand me."
The message triggered a flood of comments, mostly understanding and support for the Thai boxer.
Several believe the incident had something to do with alleged gambling.