Thai boxing, or Muay Thai is not stranger to controversy. It's a rough sport that can make Western boxing look like a gentlemen' s hobby. Muay Thai fighters employ punches, kicks, knee and elbows strikes that can incapacitate the opponents. But what is even more controversial is that underage children enter professional boxing rings. Social workers say that child boxing should be limited to show and not practiced in professional fights. But for many young boys it's the only potential way out...
more »Thai boxing, or Muay Thai is not stranger to controversy. It's a rough sport that can make Western boxing look like a gentlemen' s hobby. Muay Thai fighters employ punches, kicks, knee and elbows strikes that can incapacitate the opponents. But what is even more controversial is that underage children enter professional boxing rings. Social workers say that child boxing should be limited to show and not practiced in professional fights. But for many young boys it's the only potential way out of poverty. The 96 Penang Boxing Camp is located under a flyover in Klong Toey, Bangkok's biggest slum. For the camp owner it is an effective way to keep children far from Bangkok mean streets. They come from the impoverished countryside or the urban working class. A few of them stay in the makeshift rooms of the camp, go to a school nearby and visit their parents once in a while. They all train every day, endure the hardship and pain to fight their way towards a more dignified life..Two young thai boxers locked in combat during their daily training. .
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