The highlight was in the 69kg welterweight division where Manus, competing for the Thailand A team, faced Bakhyt Sarsekbayev of Uzbekistan in a clash of two top-class boxers who won gold at the 15th Asian Games in Qatar last year.

Manus, moving up from light welterweight, did it the hard way in notching up a 23-18 victory over Sarsekbayev, who pushed him all the way in a pulsating bout that had the crowd on its feet until the closing bell.

The Ratchaburi-born boxer had to be at his best throughout the fight as Sarsekbayev, who broke Thai hearts by defeating Angkarn Chomphouphong in Doha, kept chasing the Thai, who adopted his usual approach of hitting and stepping away.

Manus survived a big scare in the final round when the Uzbek managed to floor him twice with his lethal straight right. Just before Sarsekbayev could build on the momentum, the bell came to Manus' rescue.

"I could not compete with his strength," said a relieved Manus. "It could have been different had I not claimed a healthy lead from the first two rounds. I will never box in this division again as I have learned now that it's very difficult."

The wushu exponent-turned-boxer Angkarn made it look much easier when he scored an RSC outscore-victory over Khaled Alazemi of Kuwait in another welterweight fight to book his place in the last four.

In the 48kg light flyweight division, Amnaj Reanreong of Thailand A, standing in for well-known boxer Suban Pannon, proved too good for Laos' Sikam Vongpakhuoun in their quarter final bout.

Amnaj provided further evidence that he has more potential than as just a stand-in by effortlessly registering a 16-8 victory to secure his berth in the last four where he will face an uphill task against China's Doha Asian Games gold medallist Zou Shiming, a fight which should be a good indicator of whether he is good enough to replace veteran Supan in the future.

Despite a knockdown in the second, Amnaj said thought of defeat never crossed his mind.

"I knew I could win today as I like to box a fighter with his style. I think I was too nervous in the opening stages and the knockdown seemed to wake me up," said Amnaj who has just completed a jail sentence.

The prospect of fighting Zou holds no fear for Amnaj, who says he knows what it takes to beat the Chinese.

"I know he is the favourite in this class, but I don't think he is unbeatable. I'm well aware of his strength. He is quick and good at one-two punches but my coach has already planned tactics to handle his threat," said Amnaj.

In the lightweight category, Thailand A's Sailom Ar-dee didn't even have to raised a sweat after Dabaaie Zakaria of Syria withdrew. Sailom advanced to the semi-final to face Bahhodir Mamadjonov of Uzbekistan, who defeated Serik Yeleuov of Kazakhstan 26-12.

Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation