Chatchai second Thai boxer to fall
Flyweight Chatchai Butdee became the second Thai fighter to fall at the first hurdle in Asian Games boxing, losing by unanimous decision to Kazakhstan's Ilyas Suleimenov.
The 29-year-old Thai medal hopeful never recovered from a knockdown in the opening round and exited at the preliminary stage for the second successive Games.
“I’m really disappointed. My apologies to the Thai people, who really lent me their support. I couldn’t do it for them,” said Chatchai, as he struggled to hold back tears.
“I took a blow that landed flush on my face. When I got back to my feet, I felt groggy. I tried to grit my teeth, telling myself I needed to carry on as there were still two more rounds and I still had a chance.
“The Kazakh did nothing during the second and third rounds. I was at fault. Had I not made that error [to get knocked down], I might not have lost the fight.
“It’s the second time I’ve suffered a first-round exit at the Games. I need to go back to the drawing board to see where I have to improve. If I get another chance to compete at the Games, I will focus on getting past the first round.
I’m going back to training right away because there are three more events coming up – the World Championships, SEA Games and the Olympic qualifiers.”
Three Thai fighters have boxed in the men’s competition so far, but only lightweight Sailom Ardee has advanced to the second round, with bantamweight Donchai Thathi joining Chatchai as the other first-round victim.
