Unlike the fake staged fights in town on the street for tourists, this was the real deal. Big ring, lots of fans and betters. Just like you see in movies, except it wasn't in a stone ring with a gong and fire all over.
It started with the prelims, kids fighting for fun. The real fights started, and it was intense. 5 rounds about 2 mins each. No one was ever knocked out as they were both even. It all came down to decisions.
There were a couple of Farong(foreigners), Europeans or Russians, I think, vs Thai. This is where it got bad. Those fights were rigged. The Thai boxers were overmatched, yet they still won. Also, there was a European girl vs a Thai girl, and the European girl really kicked the Thai girl's butt, but guess who won, yep... Thai girl. Thats when we left.
statue outside the arena
big poster hyping the fight
these aren't the kickboxers
Thepraset arena (i think)
the ring
the kids prelim fights
on the walls in the courtyard
more paintings
kids again
each boxer prayed before each match
the gloves
the adults
a farong (foreigner) vs thai
whats with the funky faces again... geez
the audience
the gamblers
i've seen this image before somewhere..... hmm...
another angle
they have ring girls too
between rounds
each won trophies
the thai guy won
big russian dude vs a thai guy, guess who won, yep, rigged.
european girl
johnny, russ and jarrett
awaiting her match
the thai fighter
the match... the european girl was kickin butt, but guess who won, yep, we got frustrated and left