Amnat Ruenroeng Frontrunner For Award in Thailand

Boxer Amnat Ruenroeng is expected to win the best professional athlete award from the Sports Writers Association of Thailand next month.

The 34-year-old, who is scheduled to fight China's Zou Shiming in the defence of his IBF flyweight title in Macau on March 7, is tipped to beat both golfer Thongchai Jaidee and WBC minimumweight champion Wanheng Meenayothin for the prestigious award thanks to his brilliant performance last year.

The ceremony will be held on March 28.

Amnat got the belt in January last year with a points victory over Rocky Fuentes of the Philippines in the vacant title championship in Nakhon Ratchasima and four months later, he successfully defended the title by beating Kazuto Ioka in Japan. In his second defence in November, Amnat saw off McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico with a split decision, also in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The committee will decide the winner on March 10, three days after the fight between Amnat and Zou.

Amnat, who will receive four million baht from the fight against Zou, and his staff coaches will leave for Hong Kong on March 1.

Among 22 awards from the Sports Writers Association of Thailand are the best male and female athletes.

In the male division, four athletes in contention are Wutthichai Masuk (boxer), Yannapol Larpaparat (bowling), Jatupum Chinawong (weightlifting) and Chanatip Songkrasin (soccer).

In the female category, the contenders are Chanatip Sornkham (taekwondo), Jutatip Maneephan (cycling), Amanda Carr (cycling) and Luksika Kumkhum (tennis).