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Published on December 5, 2007

General Thaweep Jantharoj, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand (ABAT), team manager Chawala Suwannacheep and Phusita Jantharoj, ABAT executive board member, visited the Thai fighters training at the Khaoyai Bonanza on Monday.

On his visit, Thaweep said that every Thai boxer is fit physically and mentally and ready to impress home crowds. However, he conceded that weight could pose a problem for boxers in some categories.

"Light flyweight Amnart Ruenroeng and light heavyweight Angkarn Chomphuphoung are still overweight for their categories, while light welterweight Manus Boonjumnong needs to shed one-and-a-half kilogram to contest the 64kg class.

His was almost 70kg at the end of November. I think he is very determined to make the required weight and that is very satisfying," Thaweep said.

"We expect eight gold in the men 's and three or more in the women's divisions. Each gold medallist will receive Bt30,000 as bonus from the team manager, he added.

According to the boxing chief, the Thailand boxing squad is due to check in at the Athletes Village today while the competition draw will be made the following day. The competition will begin from December 7.

The AIBA (International Amateur Boxing Association) plans to reduce the Olympic quota for Asian boxers from six to five in the lightweight and light welterweight classes. Instead, they will add more tickets for the heavier weight divisions.

This will put light welterweight Manus in a spot as he is yet to qualify while only two more tickets in his class remain.

Manus was Thailand's lone boxing gold medallist at

the Athens Olympics and the Doha Asian Games in 2006. The hosts will field 10 men boxers in the SEA Games: Kaew Pongprayoon (45kg), Amnart Ruenroeng (48kg), Somjitr Jongjorhor (51kg), Vorapoj Petchkhoom (54kg), Sailom Ardee (57kg), Pichai Saiyotha (60kg), Manus Boonjumnong (64kg), Non Boonjumnong (69kg), Suriya Prasarthinpimai (75kg) and Angkarn Chomphuphoung (81kg).

Duangnapa Ngarmlam (46kg), Sophida Pathumlam (48kg), Hansa Kadeewong (50kg), Ussanakorn Thawinsuwanwang (52kg), Thassamalee Thongchan (54kg), Piamwilai Laopiam (57kg) and Sudaporn Srisorndee (60kg) will represent the hosts in the various women's categories.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

 The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima