Thailand’s 10-year-old Boxing Sport Act has been practically ignored by all involved parties, but the authority’s recent announcement that it will push for enforcement may help the trouble-ridden muaythai sport in Thailand, says columnist Korn Kritsada.

According to the Muay Tu newspaper sportswriter, the so-called boxing law has made no change whatsoever since its enactment 10 years ago as the authority rarely exacted punishment for those found to have violated the law, regardless of severity of the violation.

He said the Boxing Commission officials who daily preside over muaythai weigh-in and bouts had always chosen to “compromise” when they found fighters, managers or promoters breaking the law.

However, Director of the Board of Boxing Sport Santi Pukwanmuang declared that the authority would from now on seriously enforce the Boxing Sport Act.

Fighters and managers must be registered with proper documents and must take mandatory resting periods after a match as specified by the act. For example, a fighter who fought in a bout of five rounds must take a break of 21 days before he could return to any stadium.

In addition, any fighter dismissed from the ring by a referee will be temporarily banned from all stadiums as an attempt to curb the practice of venue-switching by some dubious fighters.

Santi, however, said he would allow a grace period for all involved parties to adjust themselves before beginning his campaign to enforce the law and regulate the sport.

Source: Muay Tu