The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win.

A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging, clothing, and 30 percent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

A boxer and his trainer pray before the start of a match, which can be punishing. The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

In the interval, boxers are massaged with ice to help them recover. The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

The national sport of boxing is taken very seriously in Thailand, where it is considered the best in the world. To prove it, they often invite exponents of martial arts from abroad to pit their strength against national champions. The Thais invariably win. A boxer's career starts at the tender age of six, ending about 20 years later. He receives board, lodging and clothing and 30 per cent of the prize money if he wins. Though matches consist of only five three-minute rounds with two-minute intervals, they are extremely intense, with betting on the outcome reaching equally heated levels. Training is tough. A boxer's day starts at 4 a.m. with the same program year in, year out.

General News,Honorable mention