6 boxers from Thai national team playoff in “President Cup” in Taiwan after won in quarterfinal round that were Somjit who taught an African boxer boxing techniques, Pichai nearly defeated by an Ukraine boxer. Non defeated Greece boxer in the second round. General Taweep was very satisfied and believed that Thai boxers might have a chance to playoff if they tried harder. The host offered 3,000 $ per one gold medal.

Dr. Ching Kuo Wu, the president of AIBA, held “The AIBA President Cup 2008” at The Hsinchuang Staduim, Taipei County, Taiwan to gather together 126 best boxers from 26 countries around the world in action for the last time prior to the 2008 Olympic Games (Beijing Games) in Beijing, China. In quarterfinal round or the last 8 competitors round, Thai boxers fought for 3 weight category and successfully won.

In light flyweight title (51 kg), Somjit Jongjohor who is expected to be an Olympic gold medalist still kept his excellent ability, outvoted over Chauke Jackson from South Africa 14-3 punches. He will make a playoff with Lusi Yanez from USA who outvoted over Shin Dong Myung from South Korea 16-9 punches. Yanez was a Beijing Games boxer in 48 kg division who moved up to fight in 51 kg.

In lightweight title (60 kg), Pichai Sayotha, the latest best boxer of King’s Cup, crossed to fight in quarterfinal round and met Ivan Redkach from Ukraine. Pichai won with 16-13 punches and get a chance to fight against Saifeddine Nejmaoui from Tunesia who outvoted over Kim Joung Won from South Korea 21-9 punches.

In welter weight title (69 kg), Mr. Knock out-Non Boonchamnong won by RSC in the second round over Gevorg Galstian from Greece and get a chance to fight against Dilshod Mahmudov from Uzbekistan who outvoted over Emil Maharramov from Azerbaijan 17-4 punches.

In conclusion, Thai boxers fought and won in 6 divisions. The previous boxers who won over opponents were in 3 divisions that were:

In bantamweight title (54 kg), Worapot Petkhum met Khumiso Ikgopoleng from Botswana. In light welter weight title (64 kg), Manus Boonchamnong met Bradley Suanders from England. In middle weight title (75 kg), Angkarn Chomphoopuang met Vijender from India.

General Taweep  Jantararoj, the president to the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand, brought and controlled Thai national team boxers to Taiwan by himself, said that although Amnat Runroeng in light flyweight title (48 kg) and Sailom Adee in featherweight title (57 kg) were not fought in the event, they also went to spar with the team.  The result was satisfied. They controlled their weight well. General Taweep asked staffs to record the match of Thai boxers’ opponents for improving Thai boxers’ mettle if they will meet in Olympic Games.

For “The AIBA President Cup 2008” in Taiwan, the host gave 3,000 $ for a gold medalist or about 96,000 baht, 1,500 $ for a silver medalist and 500 $ for a bronze medalist. It’s expected that all Thai boxers could pass the playoff but he ordered them to protect themselves well. If they got injured, it would have effect on Beijing Games in the next 2 months. Thai boxers’ physical readiness were good, however, they needed for more strength and to rectify their faults.