
GAB Chairman Richard Clarin, WBC Asia Prez Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi Sign Cooperation Agreement in Thailand
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 28 Jan 2023

BANGKOK, Thailand -- The people of The Philippines and the Kingdom of Thailand have been neighbors and brothers for ages, passionately challenging each other in all kinds sports, specially loving their friendly competitions in muay thai and boxing.
GAB Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin wants to take that beautiful relationship to a new level.
That new level stresses the safety, and well-being of all fighting athletes of both nations, including Filipino boxers while fighting here in Thailand, as well as Thailand fighters while visiting the noble Land of LapuLapu and Dr. Jose Rizal.
The genuine interest is one of the main reasons that has moved the man of laws leading GAB to sign an important "Memorandum of Understanding" with legendary WBC Vice President and WBC Asia President Pol. General Kovid Bhakdibhumi.
The meaningful historic agreement was reached and signed in the afternoon of January 25, 2023 here in Bangkok during the GAB Chairman's successful visit to the Kingdom of Thailand.
In addition to signing the official memorandum, Chairman Richard Clarin exchanged points of view with Gen. Kovid regarding the current situation of the sports of boxing, muay thai and other combat sports between the two brotherly nations, as well as methods of ensuring even further development.
The above is in light of the increasing number of Filipino boxers coming to compete in boxing events in Thailand, and vice versa, many of those boxing events involving WBC regional title fights.
In fact, the traveling of Filipino and Thai boxers for fighting shows are already properly and lawfully regulated between the two nations.
GAB Chairman Richard Clarin (R) and WBC Asia Prez Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi (C) sign a cooperation agreement in Thailand.
However, the new post-pandemic world offers endless possibilities for more boxing between Thailand and The Philippines.
Just two weeks ago, strong Thailand featherweight Chaiwat Buatkrathok flew to Pinoyland to battle Filipino former world champion Milan Melindo; and last Wednesday Filipino bantamweight Herlan Gomez of Bacolod came to Thailand to engage Thai fighter Thanachai Khamoon.
Indeed, the two big boxing communities have competed forever, loving it, both craving for more action in 2023 and beyond.
During the historic GAB-WBC Asia successful meeting, the WBC Vice President Pol General Kovid was accompanied by long-time WBC Asia executive Royal Thai Army Major General Damrong Simakajornboon, and by Royal Thai Army Colonel Thanapol Bhakdibhumi.
Meanwhile, the GAB Chairman attended the meeting well-accompanied by GAB judge and Filipino "Kun Khmer" representative to the SEA Games Gerald Bassig, and by Filipino award-winning GAB licensed promoter Brico Santig.
After the rewarding and enriching meeting between the GAB Chairman Clarin and the Pol General Kovid, the famous General invited the Filipino delegation to a lunch at the exclusive WBC VIP dinning room at the cozy Hungry Brown Eat and Coffee Roasters.
The atmosphere during lunch was utterly respectful and delightfully cordial.
The author veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and Whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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