Srisaket gets a warm welcome
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai received a warm homecoming on Wednesday as a huge crowd turned up to welcome the veteran boxer, who has been feted as a national hero following his historic World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight title victory at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The top-ranked challenger captured the imagination of Thai people by pushing previously unbeaten Roman Gonzalez to the limit in an enthralling fight on March 19 at the venue regarded as the cathedral of boxing before running away as a deserving winner with a majority decision.
Regaining the championship belt in the 115-pound division that he lost three years ago, the 30-year-old former garbage collector became only the second Thai fighter to win the world championship of the sport’s three major organisations on American soil after Saman Sorjaturong.
On Tuesday, he visited the Government House to meet prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who playfully told him that he sported a beard just like Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao, before catching a flight to his hometown in Si Sa Ket’s Uthumpornpisai district.
Locals flocked to Srisaket’s house Wednesday morning to greet the newly-crowned champion and many of them could not help but ask for a chance to touch the championship belt. The champion, meanwhile, was given a treat by his parents, who prepared his favourite dish, grilled rat, for his first meal upon his return.
Srisaket then took to the makeshift stage, erected for his reception, in front of the Uthumpornpisai district’s office where the district chief put garland around his neck as a welcome gesture before the champion got on a beautifully-decorated six-wheel truck that took him around the town.
“I’m so happy. I would like to thank Uthumpornpisai people for such a warm reception. I’ll continue to keep my head down in training and retain the title as long as possible,” said a delighted Srisaket.
