Thursday, 13 March 2008

Samson heads to Cambodia

Bangkok Post
Thursday March 13, 2008

KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT

Former prisoner Samson Sor Siriporn is heading to Cambodia to defend her WBC light-flyweight title on April 26.

The 24-year-old will take on Koyoko Ebata in the third defence of her WBC female light-flyweight belt in Phnom Penh.

Samson's manager Choowong Tumkit said the fight will take place at the Indoor Stadium in the Cambodian capital and will be broadcast live on Channel 7 from 2pm.

Choowong said that his motive to have the fight held in the third country is to make money because he has found it difficult to find sponsors in Thailand.

He said his promotional team had lost almost 800,000 baht in Samson's first two defences.
Choowong hopes to get money from selling tickets to Cambodian fans.

''The fight is not for free,'' he said.

''We are targeting up to 10,000 fans to watch this fight.

''I am assured Samson is quite popular there and I will also have Cambodian boxers on the card.''

The vast majority of boxing cards in Thailand are free to watch with the cost being shouldered by sponsors and local hosts.

Choowong said he is keeping the Lopburi-born boxer away from number one-ranked Julie Sahin, of Germany, who he believes will beat the Thai.

Sahin has won all 19 of her fights and is also the current WIBF light-flyweight title holder.

Koyoko has only had one fight, a victory over Nongmai Sor Siriporn last year.

Samson's story might also be made into a film by Women in Focus Productions. A contract is set to be signed on March 27 to get the former drug dealer's biography as the plot.

Choowong said that Samson would not appear in the film because she cannot speak English.

Samson won the WBC title behind prison walls and was released early as a result.

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