The boxing championship WBA – PABA will take place in Hua Hin on 11 April 2011 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Phon Kingphet Memorial Park. This big event is broadcasted via the Channel 5 Thailand, too. This year’s highlights are the 110-pound light flyweight WBC bout between Saen Muang Lei Koh Kiat Yim and a foreign boxer, the 105-pound minimum weight PABA championship of Phaiphaarob Koh Kiat Yim and a foreign boxer, the 105-pound minimum weight PABA Interim of Big Mee Koh Kiat Yim and a foreign boxer, and the 107-pound WBC bout of female boxers: Nong Muay Koh Kiat Yim and a foreign boxer. The upcoming boxing championships are held annually in Hua Hin on 16 April to commemorate Phon Kingphet, the first worldclass boxer of Thailand. Born in Hua Hin on 12 February B.E. 2478, Phon’s real name was Mana Seedokbuab. He liked boxing since he was a schoolboy. With a dream to be a world champion, Phon was trained by Niyom Thongchit and Thongthot Intarathat, a manager and an owner of Kingphet Boxing Gym. On 16 April B.E. 2503, Phon won his first flyweight world championship against Pascal Peres at the Lumpini Boxing Stadium. He won from Peres one more time at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Phon was also awarded many championships before he officially quit boxing in B.E. 2509. The legendary boxer of Thailand passed away on 30 May B.E. 2525. To honor this Hua Hin local boxer, his statue was erected at the Phon Kingphet Memorial Park in Hua Hin. A Buddhist ceremony is held every year to pay respect to him. The boxing championship bouts of the WBS-PABA are free and anyone can attend. Further information can be obtained at the Tourism Promotion Division of the Hua Hin Municipality at tel. 032 532 433 ext. 100.
