Olympics gold medalist Manas Boonjamnong may shift to professional boxing career after Beijing Game with General Taweep Jantararoj as his manager.

General Taweep Jantararoj, President of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand, said boxer Manas Boonjamnong had planned to become a professional boxer after he completed his mission in the Beijing games on August 8-24.

“Manas wants to make more money. We will miss him,” said General Taweep.

The 28-year-old fighter won a gold medal in the light welterweight class in the Athens 2004 Olympics Games. He became subject of headline news when the media found him spending his 19.2 prize money with women, gambling, and entertainment.

As a result, Manus has been sent to train to France, Cuba, and Vietnam and not allowed to carry money. He is Thailand’s hope for another gold medal from Boxing in Beijing next month.

General Taweep said he had been contacted by the famous American promoter Don King who was interested in recruiting him, and the general decided to work as a manager for Manas once he became a professional boxer.

“I said I would be a manager for Manus as he needed me to take care of him. I will do it for Manus. Actually, I did not want to get involved with the business. It is just too much. The amateur boxing seems to be much more sophisticated,” said the general.

The general said seven out of eight Thai fighters would have a chance for an Olympics medal in Beijing.

“This is a very strong team,” said General Taweep.

News: Siamsport