There is no insurance or 401 K for a Muay Thai fighter. Nor a pension fund after years of the same employment. Instead, Former Champion fighters, their bodies battered from years in the ring, have to take fights for little money (5000-8000) baht just to help pay their bills, feed their families, make a car or motorbike payment, etc.
Last night, one of our best fighters had to take a fight against a younger, stronger, bigger fighter to get paid. I would think after 300 fights and 22+ years experience in Muay Thai, promoters would offer some respect to a fighter of this calibre; a former Champion with a long list of honors, however, "promoters" simply look at the fighters like "easy money" rides. No respect. Just sacrifice the fighter for the sake of "the show."
I see it all the time. Big time fighters with lots of experience want to come to Thailand and are looking for fights with "former Champions" and an easy win or "look who I have beaten on my record." Good fighters coming to the Kingdom of Thailand and looking for "real" Muay thai fights, should be at Lumpinee, Rajadamnoen, Bangkok TV, Omnoy, or other major city stadiums for fights, not looking for fights against "semi-retired" Muay Thai fighters past their prime.
When Tiger Muay Thai has a fighter that has distinguished himself and proven his skill in the ring, we move that fighter on to more competitive fights in bigger stadiums, not the opposite and go looking for the "easy win."
It is about respect. Former Muay Thai Champions deserve this respect as the sport has grown in popularity with the popularity of MMA. They don't deserve to be served up like sides of beef by greedy promoters looking for that last drop of blood or payday on their former success and popularity. There is a long list of former Champions from Lumpinee, rajadamnoen, World and Thailand Champions, like Johmhod Kittdiasak that get promoted for their name, long since their skills have past.
Hear it from the cheap seats.
www.tigermuaythai.com
Professor Muay Thai
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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