POONSAWAT QUITS BOXING DUE TO BLOOD AILMENT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 Jan 2013
Poonsawat.
Former WBA super-bantamweight champion Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym has retired from boxing due to thalassemia which is a blood ailment.
The 32-year-old Thai was diagnosed with the disease at a medical on the eve of his title fight against WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba on the undercard of the 122 pound title defense of WBO/Ring Magazine and WBC Diamond Belt champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas last December 15.
The Mayo Clinic Staff states that Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells in your body than normal. Several types of thalassemia exist, including alpha-thalassemia, beta-thalassemia, Cooley's anemia and Mediterranean anemia.
Hemoglobin is the substance in your red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen. The low hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells of thalassemia may cause anemia, leaving you fatigued.
The Mayo Clinic Staff reports stated that if you have mild thalassemia, you may not need treatment. But, if you have a more severe form of thalassemia, you may need regular blood transfusions. You can also take steps on your own to cope with fatigue, such as choosing a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that Poonsawat?s manager quoted his doctor as saying ?it will take time to cure it and at 32, it would be tough for him to remain competitive in boxing. So it is better for him to retire now."
Poonsawat, who has been dropped from the WBA rankings, won the title in September 2009 after stopping Bernard Dunne in the third round in Dublin. He successfully defended his title twice in Thailand before losing to Ryo Li Lee in Japan in October 2010.
Poonsawat failed the blood test in Houston and rumors regrettably circulated that he was afflicted with the HIV virus which was not the case. The former champion was later diagnosed with thalassemia which is a blood disorder caused by weakened red blood cells which can lead to anemia.
Poonsawat, a pleasant, soft spoken individual was pained by his inability to get a chance to reclaim the world title although he retires with an impressive record of 48-2-0, with 33KOs.
Poonsawat is the second Thai ex-world champion to retire in recent months after former WBC flyweight king Pongsaklek Wonjongkam hung up his gloves in November, following his third-round loss to Filipino Rey Migreno in the defense of his WBC international flyweight title after earlier losing his WBC flyweight crown in a stunning 6th round TKO to another Filipino Sonny Boy Jaro on March 2, 2012 in Thailand..
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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