Steve had trained in Thailand's national sport, Muay Thai, for three years back in England so he was excited to see his first match, and myself, Chrissy, and Diana joined him for a night out on Koh Phangan.
The ride there was about 30 minutes, with the first half spent twisting, turning, and bumping around on the dirt roads in the back of the modified pick-up.
The "stadium" felt more like someone's backyard. There was a small bar, a few bleachers, and tables/chairs around the ring for those who paid extra.
I was glad to attend the fights with Steve because he was able to appreciate some of the technique and answer questions.
The format was similar to what we'd have seen anywhere else.
The whole event lasted about three hours and started out with tiny little kids fighting.
We'd heard about this so it wasn't a surprise, yet it was mildly disturbing. In this case, the tots were girls.
At first it was novel to have the small kids fighting intermittently as the night progressed, however, it then seemed to become more of a filler between bouts with increasingly older guys.
In fact, the two best fights of the night, which came at the end (of course), resulted in KO's within the first round.
Before one of the fights started, I picked a guy in red trunks to win. He was short, tan, with well-defined muscles, and a good game face.
His opponent was a beanpole by comparison, and while taller, seemed to lack muscle mass and any sense that he was going to come out of it a winner.
Earlier in the evening, the audience was almost all tourists, however as the fighters got older, more Thais filtered in to give the experience a better sense of authenticity.
Steve was disappointed that his first fights in Thailand were not so fantastic, and resolved to watch some matches at Lumbini, the big stadium in Bangkok.
When it was all over, we rumbled our way back to Thong Nai Pan Noi for late-night cheeseburgers.
I was looking forward to the next night's entertainment, the biweekly Half Moon Party.
Boris says
Did you win any money then? The fights in Lumpini can be fantastic, you should check them out, if you have the chance...
Dave says
Nope, and gambling was something I had hoped to do at the fight. I suppose I could've started betting with Steve but he didn't seem too interested.
Boris says
Did you win any money then? The fights in Lumpini can be fantastic, you should check them out, if you have the chance...
Dave says
Nope, and gambling was something I had hoped to do at the fight. I suppose I could've started betting with Steve but he didn't seem too interested.
Stefan Knoepfel says
looks like i owe you some money, whats your paypal addy?
Stefan Knoepfel says
looks like i owe you some money, whats your paypal addy?
Pokin says
I think the closest I've ever been to boxing are the the reruns of Rocky on TV. :p It's an interesting experience to see familiar sports reinterpreted in different countries. The young kids boxing part is a little bit disturbing. How did they end up there? Did they want to be part of the spectacle? Are they having fun?
Dave says
The kids are very much a part of the fight nights. You can tell they train/practice. The littlest girls that opened the night were seen hanging out together afterwards - so they seemed to be friends. Each fighter performed a dance unique to his/her gym before starting off, along with what I think were prayers as they did a walk around the ring.
Pokin says
I think the closest I've ever been to boxing are the the reruns of Rocky on TV. :p It's an interesting experience to see familiar sports reinterpreted in different countries. The young kids boxing part is a little bit disturbing. How did they end up there? Did they want to be part of the spectacle? Are they having fun?
Dave says
The kids are very much a part of the fight nights. You can tell they train/practice. The littlest girls that opened the night were seen hanging out together afterwards - so they seemed to be friends. Each fighter performed a dance unique to his/her gym before starting off, along with what I think were prayers as they did a walk around the ring.
Ames says
Muay Thai is some serious stuuufffff...... I have watched many a fight where the highly skilled muay thai fighter has dominated over other fighters who are just as skilled in a different martial art (jujitsu or whatever). I find it a little fascinating... of course, I am observing the commercial americanized versions. I actually saw a special program once about children fighters and how they are starting this off at such a young age. It was something very strange about watching 2 10-year old boys try to beat the snot out of each other... the absence of testosterone kinda makes for a boring match :smile: Not to mention...they cried at the end of the fight.
Ames says
Muay Thai is some serious stuuufffff...... I have watched many a fight where the highly skilled muay thai fighter has dominated over other fighters who are just as skilled in a different martial art (jujitsu or whatever). I find it a little fascinating... of course, I am observing the commercial americanized versions. I actually saw a special program once about children fighters and how they are starting this off at such a young age. It was something very strange about watching 2 10-year old boys try to beat the snot out of each other... the absence of testosterone kinda makes for a boring match :smile: Not to mention...they cried at the end of the fight.
Kango Suz says
What a wierd experience to see kids fighting professionally. I mean, I know that kids train that young here in the US, but it's just not something you see if you're not one of their parents, you know?
Kango Suz says
What a wierd experience to see kids fighting professionally. I mean, I know that kids train that young here in the US, but it's just not something you see if you're not one of their parents, you know?
Dentist Thousand Oaks says
Muay Thai is a sacred sport in Thailand this how they can measure the strength and passion of Thai mens to their country and belief.
Dentist Thousand Oaks says
Muay Thai is a sacred sport in Thailand this how they can measure the strength and passion of Thai mens to their country and belief.