By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBC vice president, Police Gen. Kowit Pakdeepoom wants the World Boxing Council to launch a probe into the performance of the Japanese referee in a bout in Fukuoka in which Thai boxer Sakai Jockygym died of a brain injury last October 12.
Japan Boxing Commission secretary general Koji Ishizuka said the referee was Motoaki Fukumoto.
Gen. Kowit is reported to have claimed that the referee could have stopped the fight earlier than the 10th round when he declared Japan’s Kazuyoshi Niki the winner by TKO.
Thai media reported that Gen.Kowit who is scheduled to attend the WBC Annual Convention in South Korea from November 1-7, said he would propose that the council launch an inquiry into the performance of the Japanese referee.
Sakai reportedly lost consciousness after leaving the ring and passed away three hours later at the hospital from a brain hemorrhage. He was dropped as early as the first round by Sakai (24-3-1, 12 KO’s) and also in the last round.
Kowit believes that the referee could have stopped the bout in the earlier round rather than allowing Sakai to suffer more injury, which led to his eventual death.
Kowit said Sakai’s case should be used to raise the standards for WBC referees who, he said, should be more cautious and ready to save lives when required. He said such tragic incident would happen again unless there is action from the WBC.
Sakai, born as Somboon Wiangchai, started out his career as muaythai fighter, but shifted to professional boxing. He was 19.
Kowit is also planning to push for several Thai boxers to challenge for the WBC world titles, including Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo in the featherweight and Noknoi Sitthiprasert in the light flyweight division.
