Thai Olympic boxing medallist Kaew retires again

Thai Olympic boxing medallist Kaew retires again

Olympic boxing silver medallist Kaew Pongprayoon has retired for the second time.

The 36-year-old Thai said yesterday he had withdrawn from an international event in China next month.

“I am too old and have not fought for three years,” he said.

“I am not as fit as I was and feel pain when I train. I now normally weigh 59kg and can only cut down to 50.7kg, which is still well above the 49kg limit of my category.

“My participation in the tournament in China could affect my reputation and that of the Thailand Boxing Association. So I have decided to withdraw from the tournament and quit the sport for good to open the way for young boxers.”

Kaew had been persuaded to return the ring as there are few Thai boxers in the 49kg class.

Kaew lost to China’s Zou Shiming at the London Olympics and many Thais still believe their compatriot was robbed of victory.

It was Thailand’s only medal in boxing at the 2012 Games.

Meanwhile, former undisputed boxing champion O’Neil Bell was gunned down and killed in Atlanta by apparent robbers, US media reported.

No arrests have been made but police said they are looking for up to four males.

The Jamaican-born former cruiserweight champion finished his 13-year boxing career with a record of 27 wins (with 25 knockouts), four losses and one draw.

Bell held the World Boxing Council, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association titles at the same time after knocking out France’s Jean-Marc Mormeck in 2006. Bangkok Post/Agencies

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