By Carlos Costa
Bangkok, THAILAND -- In an awards ceremony attended by some of the most important players in the Asian boxing scene, 31 year-old WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Srisket Sor Rungvisai (45-4-1, 40 KO's) was proclaimed as the "WBC Asian Fighter of The Year" tonight at Asia Hotel here in Bangkok, Thailand, an event attended by Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council.
Top Asian fighters who received awards were Thai WBC World 105 Wanheng Menayothin (49-0, 17 KO's), who is set to defend his title on Wednesday, undefeated slugger WBC Asian 160 Champion Puiyu Lim of China as well as WBC Asian 147 Champion/Bollywood actor Neeraj Goyat of India.
Awardees for boxing promoters of the year in Asia were Surachart Pisitvutthininan of Thailand (who is the manager of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai) and honorary promoter the year Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde of the Phiilppines.
In addition, Filipino Brico Santig of Highland Boxing - the active young promoter/matchmaker who has promoted boxing cards in Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong and Malasia - captured the coveted WBC Asia Oriental Promoter of the Year award.
Also, Promoter of the year for youth championships was Virat Vachirarattanawong, boss of the legendary boxing outfit Diamond Boxing of Thailand.
The event was attended by Sulaiman who flew-in from Mexico for the important occasion.
Sulaiman who expressed his appreciation for WBC Asia Boxing Council (ABCO) as important part of the World Boxing Council, an organization that has produced outstanding world champions and contributed to the sport of boxing.
He thanked the host country, Thailand, for its decisive support to the WBC "during hard times"
"Thailand is the country that my father (the late WBC president Jose Sulaiman) felt in his heart as his second hometown. There have been men in Thailand as Edward Tangaraya who have worked with passion their whole life for the WBC find a home here in Thailand," said Sulaiman.
"During hard times, one man came and stood up and put a fast strong fist and stood right next to my father. I want to express to General Kovit my deepest appreciation for all what he has done for the WBC."
"I am so happy to see people from China, India, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, from all over. That is ABCO (Asian Boxing Council), one of the strongest federations in boxing today, and I promise you that we will continue doing our best to make you proud to belong to the WBC family."
"I was born in a very beautiful house with a mother and a father and I learned to see boxers as my brothers. And I want you (boxers) to know that anything that you ever need, the WBC will be there for you. Anything that the boxer needs, please contact us and we would do whatever needs to be done to support you. You are the heroes of the ring," concluded Sulaiman.Mr.
In attendance during the ceremony were vice president Gen. Kovit Bhakdibhumi, and members of WBC Asia Coronel Damrong Simakajornboon, Mr. Kevin Paul Noone and Patrick Cusick.
The author Carlos Costa of Panama is a Boxing Judge and reporter based in the Philippines. Wednesday he will attend the Menayothin vs Estrada WBC 105 world title fight in Khorat, Thailand. Carlos can be reached by emai: Carlos512@hotmail.com and by WhatsApp +639184538152