Bantamweight Chatchai fails to break last-16 jinx
Experienced bantamweight Chatchai Butdee suffered back-to-back last-16 Olympic defeat following a split decision loss to Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin on Sunday.
The loss left a bitter taste in the Thai’s mouth as it seemed the Thai, whose southpaw stance caused the Russian lot of problems, looked slightly better in the tight bout. However, two judges scored a win for Nikitin, while the other ruled it in favour of the Thai.
The result meant the 31-year-old Chatchai failed to move beyond the last-16 round at the Games as the two-time SEA Games champion was also sent packing at the same stage in London four years ago.
Chatchai became the third Thai fighter to suffer early exit in Rio de Janeiro after former IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng and Sailom Ardee. Light welterweight Wuttichai Masuk, one of the remaining two Thai boxers, is due to begin his campaign in the 64kg class later on the day.
