Promoter puts child boxer’s death to lax law enforcement

Anucha Thasako was knocked out cold in a boxing ring in Samut Prakan province last Saturday and succumbed to injuries at a hospital. 

“The current boxing law requires that a boxer completing five rounds of a match take a 21-day break before entering another fight,” Nattadej Wachirattanawong, the promoter of the Phetyindee boxing camp, said yesterday. 
He said had the law been fully enforced, Anucha’s death could have been prevented. A new law is now working its way through Parliament.
Records showed Anucha became a paid boxer at the age of eight, and fought more than 170 matches over the past five years, or 34 matches a year and approximately one match every 11 days.
He died of a severe intracerebral haemorrhage – a stroke caused by bleeding within brain tissue.

Anucha’s uncle Damrong Tasako, who was with the boy’s attendant during the fight, yesterday labelled Anucha’s death as an accident. Still, he cannot help thinking that things would have been different if referee standards had been higher in the provinces.

He said the referee should have intervened when Anucha looked too weak to fight on.
“Also I hope the new law will require boxers younger than 15 years old to wear protective gear on stage,” he said. 
Anucha, who fought under the alias Phetchmongkol Sor Wilaithong, was well-loved and is fondly remembered. Orphaned at a young age, Anucha was raised by his uncle. Damrong described his nephew as dutiful, honest and determined. 
“I love him more than my own life,” Damrong said. 
At the Watmaisamutkitwittayakom School, his close friend Nattaphum Wut described Anucha as a quiet, nice and humble friend.
“He was also the smartest student in class,” Natthaphum said. “I am so saddened to learn about his passing.”
Natthaphum said Anucha had never boasted about his boxing skills and had never used his skills against his friends. 
The boy’s funeral is being held at Wat Mai temple in Bang Pla Klod area and the cremation ceremony will take place today.
Relevant authorities have vowed to push forward a boxing bill, which seeks to ban children under 12 from muay thai. This draft amendment to the 1999 Boxing Act would also require that teen fighters wear protective gear and be formally registered. It also threatens boxers and referees who rig bouts with up to five years in prison and fines of up to Bt100,000.