BOXING LOSES A GREAT SUPPORTER IN KING BHUMIBOL ADULUYADEJ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 19 Oct 2016
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman mourns the passing of one of the most influential persons who has ever supported our sport, KING Bhumibol Aduluyadej who passed away last week in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sulaiman said ?The King was a strong supporter and his dedication and determination opened the doors of his country to International Boxing and also opened the doors of the world to Muaythai, which is the national sport in the Kingdom of Siam.?
Sulaiman noted that Thailand had very little International activity in professional boxing up until the early 1980?s. The late Sombhop Srismvongse along with Edward Thangarajah visited my dear father Jose Sulaiman during the WBC?s annual convention in Korea in 1982 and then the future of Thailand?s boxing began.
He said his father Don Jose Sulaiman changed his itinerary and flew from Korea to Thailand and spent 2 weeks putting together an action plan to organize a professional boxing structure.
"My father was fortunate to meet the King in many occasions and it was the King?s wish to see Muaythai be respected worldwide as there is too much confusion with the so many mixed martial arts. The WBC formed the WBC Muaythai committee which sanctions events worldwide."
Sulaiman recalls that ?The WBC has celebrated 6 world annual conventions in Thailand, 3 in Bangkok, Chiang Mai , Phucket and Pattaya. The world of boxing loves Thailand and there are so many stories that can be written through this formidable 35 years of activity.?
Before the WBC there were no Thailand world champions in professional boxing. The great Sansaek Muangsurin who was handled by the ?Grand Old Man? of Philippine boxing Lope ?Papa? Sarreal and Chartchai Chionoi opened the doors for their countrymen and today we can acknowledge 24 WBC world champions from Thailand, and some future hall of famers like Pongsaklek Wongjongkam, Veerapol Nakonluang and current minimum weight champion Wandheng Menayothin.
In his first title defense Chatchai Chinoi was knocked out by the Philippines classy Erbito Salavarria in the 2nd round who went on to make several successful title defenses before losing the title. He later reigned as WBA flyweight champion as well.
General Kovid Bhakdibhumi was elected President of the WBC affiliated federation ABCO ( Asian Boxing Council ) after the passing of Somhbop and is currently WBC Vice President and has assembled a working team with Vp?s Kiate Sirigul and Patrick Cusik who continue the legacy with our Executive secretary Edward Thangarajah.
Sulaiman said ?With the passing of our leader King Aduluyadej an era has ended and there will be a need to regroup and create a new plan of action and all will certainly be in honor of his Royal Highness legacy and memory. Long Live the King!?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
Sat, 31 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 30 Jan 2026“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 30 Jan 2026