| World Boxing Council (WBC) |
::Jose Sulaiman (President WBC), Danny Suarez (United As One), and Nash Keshwala (United As One) |
Muay Thai kicks into
the big time |
by The Nation, Thailand |
Muay Thai is now set to enter the main arena
as one
of the world’s premier ring sports within
the organization
of the World Boxing Council (WBC). The WBC’s
recent
annual convention in Cadiz, Spain, endorsed
a full of
championship calendar events for 2006 which
will see
WBC Muaythai title fights staged in the US,
Europe
and Asia.
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WBC President Dr Jose Sulaiman informed delegates that
Muay Thai was the adopted ring sport for an “excited
new generation of martial arts fans”.
“The sweet science of boxing and the respected
discipline of Muay Thai are the world champions of all
ring sports,” he said.
The WBC received market research which revealed that
Muay Thai was the genesis of all kick-boxing - including
the popular K1 tournaments.
WBC Muaythai Chairman Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi
said that for the first time Muay Thai was being marketed
and developed within the structures of an established
world sanctioning body.
“We have the green light to get Muay Thai into
the big show as a popular ring sport,” he said.
“I am certain that the promoters and the television
broadcasters will now embrace our sport with confidence.
“Our research has shown that there are hundreds
of thousands of Muay Thai fans around the world who
want to see the best of the best compete for the WBC
Muaythai world titles. We want to give to the world
the very best in Muay Thai.”
While promoters are lining up to stage sanctioned Muay
Thai championships, General Kovid cautioned that “there
needs to be careful planning” to ensure that all
the Muay Thai events keep to the rules and regulations.
“There is a tendency for promoters to jump onto
the bandwagon and grab onto the next big sensation.
Muay Thai has been flourishing for more than a thousand
years and it’s important that it doesn’t
lose its fighting heritage,” he said.
Unlike the new fashionable ring sports which permit
wrestling holds and grappling on the canvas, WBC Muaythai
would adhere to all the ring rules as outlined by the
Sports Authority of Thailand.
“The rules are clear. We have no intention of
turning Muay Thai into a ring circus,” said General
Kovid.
He added that one of the main challenges for the WBC
Muaythai organization was to recognize through its ranking
system all the new talent that had emerged from Muay
Thai clubs in Eastern Europe, Mexico, Central and South
America. “There’s a new wave of Muay Thai
fighters that need to be included into our ratings and
our task is to get them into contention for world title
contests,” he said.
“The WBC Muaythai organization is in an excellent
position to enable Muay Thai to ‘sparkle’
on the world stage. Our governance under our constitution
and the rules and regulations of the Sports Authority
of Thailand gives our representatives and promoters
every opportunity to present first class championship
events worldwide.”
Among the world title contests under consideration
are mixed championship cards of boxing and Muay Thai
in the major casino arenas in Last Vegas, a “battle
of the belts” extravaganza event in Bangkok next
January and a middleweight title contest in London.
Flamboyant promoter Don King - who attended the WBC
convention in Spain - said he was keen to get Don King
Productions involved with Muay Thai. “I’ve
been hearing a lot about Muay Thai,” said King.
“I’ve heard that it’s bigger than
Mars and the Titanic put together.
“Well, I want to tell the entire world that Don
King respects the discipline of Muay Thai. It’s
gonna set the fighting world on fire.”
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Nash,General Chira(president Asian Boxing Council), Danny Suarez |
Danny Suarez (UAO), Gen Kovid ( v/president WBC),
Patrick Cusick ( Sec/ General WBC MT) and Nash Keshwala
(UAO) |
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