After using all his energy to stop Uzbekistan's Asian Games gold medallist Bakhyt Sarsekbayev, welterweight Manus, who sealed the gold medal in Qatar in the light welterweight class, did not have to step into the ring. His rival Sherail Mamadakiev withdrew due to a bruised eye sustained during the previous round.

In the final, Manus will face Yuusov Behzodbek of Uzbekistan who booked his place with a narrow 24-22 win over Thailand B team's Angkarn Chomphou-phong.

The wushu exponent-turned-boxer Angkarn and light welterweight Pichai Sayotha were the Thai team's only two causalities in the last four.

Earlier, the omens looked promising for the hosts when Thai boxers made it three out of three.

Amnaj Reanreong defied the odds to clinch a stunning victory over Doha Asian Games gold medallist Zou Shiming in the light flyweight division.

Few had expected the 26-year-old Amnaj, a replacement for the experienced Suban Pannon who withdrew due to an injury, to fare well in his first international tournament.

However, Amnaj grabbed his chance with both hands to demonstrate what a competent fighter he is. As if the result was not surprising enough, it was even more shocking to learn that the Chon Buri-born boxer had taken up the sport just last year when he was serving a prison sentence.

Amnaj never showed any signs of nervousness against his illustrious opponent and managed to surge to a 3-1 lead in the opening round.

The Chinese, who appeared stunned to be fighting a tougher-than-expected rival in Amnaj, took time before finding his rhythm in the next round when he rallied from three points down to tie at 5.

In the third round, Zou intensified the pressure but Amnaj showed another side of his talent by evading most of his opponent's shots before regaining the lead at 10-8 with precise counter-punches.

The Thai fighter had to draw on every bit of his talent in the final round as Zou threw everything at him.

In the flyweight category, veteran Somjit Jongjorhor proved he was like old wine after producing a vintage performance to comfortably sweep past Mongolia's Luvsantseren Zorigtbatar 26-3. There was a huge gulf in class between the two fighters after the 32-year-old Somjit raced to a commanding 10-1 lead in the fist round. 

Somjit will battle it out for the gold with India's Jitender Kumar in a rematch of last year' final.

Lightweight Sailom Ar-dee carried on the momentum for Thailand after chalking up an impressive 21-13 victory over Mamadjonov Bahhodir of Uzbekistan.

The manner in which the Uzbeki controlled the fight in the first round looked as though he would clinch victory with ease.

However, Sailom managed to turn the game on its head with an amazing 8-2 run to edge ahead at 10-8 in the next round.

Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation