Thailand’s amateur boxing chief General Taweep Jantararoj says he would support the decision of two-time Olympic medalist Manus Boonjumnong and his younger brother Non to leave the national boxing squad to turn professional. 

Manus, who became the first Thai to win two Olympic medals after earning a gold from Athens in 2004 and a silver in Beijing in 2008, was cited by several newspapers as saying he has been considering whether to shift career to professional boxing,

In response, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand (ABAT) General Taweep said he would allow the brothers “to follow their dreams” if they made a proper request to leave the national squad.

Thailand’s national boxing squad is reportedly experiencing internal rifts as athletes are divided by income and popularity, while Olympian brothers Manus and Non Boonjumnong are looking to turn professional.

Manus, who won a gold medal from the Athens Games and a silver from the Beijing Games, said he and his younger brother Non are considering shifting careers to professional boxing. The two-time Olympic medalist said he has had troubles making weight while the authority has not decided which weight class he would be assigned to.

Manus is also concerned that Kazakhstan’s Serik Sapiyev, one of his toughest opponents in Beijing, will likely move up to the same weight class as his.

Manus Boonjumnong is an Olympic hero who made a new historic record for Thailand and the Thai amateur boxing sport with his Olympic gold medal in Athens in 2004 and a silver in Beijing in 2008.

In addition to the Olympic wins, Manus has had excellent performances at the various SEA Games and Asian Games.

Such a successful amateur boxer like him is living quite a comfortable life with monthly allowance of about 50,000 Baht from the Sport Authority of Thailand and at least two other sponsors.

Two-time Olympic medalist Manus Boonjumnong of Thailand says he is considering quitting amatuer boxing to turn professional, while Thai boxing chief General Taweep Jantararoj is promising successes in various upcoming events if Manus decides to stay with the national squad.

Manus, who won a silver medal in Athens in 2004 and a gold in Beijing in 2008, said he has been bored with amateur boxing and is unsure whether he should quit or continue with the national squad. He also said he has been offered to fight in professional boxing from both Thai and foreign promoters but he has not made any decision.