The decision on a WPMF match at Ratchadamnern Stadium on August 11 has raised doubts on judges’ neutrality.

Tawatchai Kaewsamrid was declared a winner by a 2-1 decision of three judges over the match against Thailand-based Danish Christian Sodprasert for the vacant World Professional Muaythai Federation (WMPF) middleweight title.

Tawatchai seemed to start the game with a physical disadvantage and less preparation, but he was able to use his higher skills to successfully strike kicks on Christian’s body and legs. In the mid game, however, Tawatchai became exhausted and was hit with several kicks from the Danish fighter. He then showed signs of losing out but survived the match by continuously grabbling Christian’s waist.

The spectators believed Christian would be declared the winner, as shown by the gamble biddings in the stadium. But two of the three Ratchadamnern judges gave Tawatchai a higher score, while the third judge gave Christian one point higher than the Thai fighter.

The decision resulted in hooting of the crowds who started to throw bottles, one of which hit Technical Delegate Prommes Chaksurak.

Christian’s manager Thagoon Phongprapha, who owns Sasiprapha Gym, and his trainer Kwanniran Singsawat were both reportedly perplexed by the decision. They said Christian was the one who kept launching successful hits, while Tawatchai mostly engaged in grabbling.

“Such decision is causing damage to muaythai. The foreigners are bored of this kind of action. If Christian was ruled the winner, everything would be fine and the spectators would accept it as the Thai fighter was really an interior one. He was only able to grabble and lost to Christian in any other way,” said a spectator.
 
“I have to say this kind of decision deserves scorning. It is the judges that have destroyed the arts of muaythai and discouraged the foreigners who would be interested in the sport,” said a spectator.