Thai prisoner boxes for freedom

[Braveheart]

Extracted from BBC News: Thai prisoner boxes for freedom

 

A female Thai prisoner has boosted her chances of freedom by winning the world light flyweight boxing title.

 

Samson Sor Siriporn, a convicted drug dealer, beat Japan's Ayaka Miyano in a bout staged at the mixed Klong Prem jail, known as the "Bangkok Hilton".

 

Watched by dozens of prison staff, Siriporn won on points after 10 rounds in the ring, kick-starting parole proceedings for her early release.

 

The 24-year-old took up boxing to protect herself from violent inmates.

 

"I'm so happy with the way I performed today. I'm very proud. I've been in jail for a long time now, I hope this will see me released early," said Siriporn after the fight.

 

"When I'm free I'll carry on fighting. I want to fight all over the world."

 

'Changed woman'

 

The match took place in a makeshift ring in the grounds of the Klong Prem prison, in front of a crowd of about 700 people, including a few prison inmates.

 

Transvestites released from their cells for the event paraded in high heels around the ring with placards.

 

Siriporn, serving a 10-year sentence for selling small amounts of drugs, dominated the fight, taking the World Boxing Council title 97-93, 98-92, 100-91.

 

A Thai corrections department official said the parole process would start immediately.

 

"I think it's very likely she will be released as a result of this victory, maybe in a couple of months. We gave her a chance to show us her talent, and she has done that," said Natti Jitsawang.

 

"She is a changed woman, and now she has the chance to be free and fight around the world."

 

Organisers believe the win makes Siriporn the first inmate to clinch a world title in prison.

 

She's not a bad looking girl either.

 

 

Extracted from the Bangkok Post: Historic victory for Samson

 

Thai inmate beats Japanese for title

 

EDWARD THANGARAJAH

 

Thailand's Samson Sor Siriporn became the first prisoner to win a world boxing title yesterday. She captured the vacant WBC women's light-flyweight crown with a unanimous points victory over Ayako Miyano of Japan at Klong Prem prison.

 

''I'm really glad,'' Samson said after her victory in front of a large crowd which included fellow prisoners.

 

''The Corrections Department has given me support. If I was not here in the prison, I might be a drug addict.''

 

Samson, who hails from Lop Buri, is an orphan and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for being involved in drugs. She has two years left on her sentence.

 

Natheee Chitsawang, director-general of the Corrections Department, said the new WBC champion could be granted early parole so that she could defend the title in overseas fights.

 

After her convincing win, Nathee said officials would start considering her parole, a process which takes two months.

 

''We gave her the opportunity to develop her boxing skills,'' said Nathee. ''From now, her life will change.''

 

He said that this victory would also inspire the other inmates, also serving sentences for dealing with drugs, to change their lives.

 

''They will be inspired to make good through boxing instead of going back to crime,'' he said.

 

Asked what she would do if she was released, the 27-year-old boxer said she would like to open a grocery store.

 

Samson, or Siriporn Taweesuk, started boxing in 2005 and bid for the WBC strawweight title against Japan's Nanako Kikuchi in 2006 and lost.

 

But yesterday, having gone up in weight from the 105-pound strawweight division, she fought in the 108-pound light-flyweight class and displayed tremendous composure and confidence as she went into action against Miyano.

 

Samson scored with well timed straight lefts and right hooks as her Japanese opponent ran round the ring in the first two rounds, hoping to tire out the Thai. But in the end it was Miyano who ran out of steam, and became an easy target for Samson.

 

''It was very hot and I made the mistake of trying to run her out of stamina. I got tired fast. I had no option but to run into her punches later in the fight,'' said Miyano after the fight.

 

Nevertheless, Miyano was happy that Samson's victory has given her new life ''I am happy for her,'' she said.

 

The Thai won the first three rounds 10-9 on the score cards of all three judges _ Jae Bong Kim (Korea), Franz Marti (Switzerland) and Noppharat Sricharoen (Thailand) _ and suffered her first setback in the fourth.

 

Kim and Noppharat picked Miyano the winner in that session while Marti scored all 10 rounds in favour of the Thai gave it to Samson.

 

''It was her boxing style and ability to counter-punch which won for Samson the title. There was no way I could have scored any round in favour of the Japanese boxer,'' said Marti while summing up the contest.

 

Kim said that he saw Miyano win only two rounds, the fourth and the seventh, while Noppharat said that in his opinion, the Japanese took the fourth and ninth rounds,

 

But on the whole Samson dominated the action and was a deserved winner. Kim scored it 97-93, Noppharat 98-92 and Marti 100-91 after the 10 rounds of action.

 

Inspite of the sweltering heat, a large number of boxing fans turned up to witness the contest. Special arrangements were made for them to get into the open-air arena which was constructed outside the prison premises.

 

They gave Samson a rousing cheer when Natee and WBC vice-president Pol Gen Kovid Bhakdibhumi put the belt round her.

 

Referee Bruce McTavish of New Zealand said he would remember this world title fight for the rest of his life.

 

''Given the wonderful circumstances in which it was held, it gives me a unique feeling. It is as good as having refereed half a dozen WBC title fights. I will never forget this contest,'' he said.

 

All inmates from Klong Prem prison witnessed the action on television and special arrangements were made for some to come out and cheer Samson and the full card of 10 bouts.

 

There was also a men's fight featuring Veerawat Chuvatana, a former Rajdamnern Stadium's strawweight champion who is serving a prison sentence for assault. He stopped his opponent in four rounds.

 

Extracted from The Nation: Siriporn bags WBC title

 

A jailbird flew high yesterday when convicted drug dealer Siriporn Thaveesuk, alias Samson Sor Siriporn, emerged victorious on points from a bout with Japan's Ayaka Miyano to clinch the World Boxing Council (WBC) female light-flyweight crown in a makeshift ring inside Klong Prem Central Prison.

 

The 27-year-old who hails from Lop Buri became the first woman to claim the world title, in the process putting her name in the history books as the first prisoner to become a champion, as well.

 

The outcome has a more significant meaning than just a sports record, as it puts her in a good position to win an early release on parole from her 10-year term for selling methamphetamine pills.

 

The victory is a product of months of intensive training and a reward for a woman who never gave up hope. Last May, Siriporn, who improved her record to 8-2, suffered a disappointing first bid at a world title when she went down to another Japanese boxer, Nanako Kikuchi, in a bout with a WBC strawweight belt at stake.

 

Siriporn never let the setback weaken her morale and kept on training, maybe even harder, to try for a second chance.

 

Sensing the freedom she has been yearning for these past several years might account for her going on the offensive at the opening bell.

 

Miyano, handicapped in both reach and height, seemingly opted to avoid a confrontation as at times she ran away when Siriporn approached.

 

Despite the frustrating tactic, the Thai boxer, cheered on by a partisan crowd with many jail mates, kept moving forward only to fail in landing a decisive blow that could make her day even better.

 

"I felt confident after the sixth round that I would win the fight. I controlled everything, and her punches rarely hurt me. I'm glad I eventually sealed the title," the jubilant inmate said.

 

Kitinan Sanguansak

 

The Nation

[LaaMok]

fiesty girl what a turn on its ashame she hasnt got long hair!!

[Shuggy]

fiesty girl what a turn on its ashame she hasnt got long hair!!

 

 

She sounds like your sort of girl mate. She can always grow the hair or get a wig!!!

Edited April 4, 2007 by Shuggy

[LocalYokul]

wouldn't wanna get her pissed off, 555

[The Deported One]

she will be working in Pattaya soon!