Thailand's child kickboxers who fight to feed their families from as young as five
Duncan Forgan reports for The New Day from Issan, Thailand, on the youngsters battling in Muay Thai bouts at an age when British children are starting school
A tiny youngster pounds the giant punch bag in his makeshift home gym. The corrugated iron roof on the room he shares with his father and brother rattles and sends chickens scarpering across the yard.
For the boy, who looks more like Mighty Mouse than Mike Tyson, has to fight to earn money for his poor family.
Unlike most Western kids, Boosong will never dream of being a footballer or an astronaut – the 12-year-old’s future as a professional Muay Thai boxer has already been decided by his father.
Boosong from Rayong Province in Chang Wat is one of thousands of children – some as young as five – pitted against each other in prize fights worth £10,000 in Thailand.
Sadly, serious injuries are common and Boosong can end up bruised and battered. All for £80 a fight, but as his father only earns £20 a day, this is a fortune for his family.
The youngster says: “I don’t mind the bruises – the worst part is not being able to eat what I like all the time.
“I hope that one day I will be a champion and build a better life for me and my family.”
Once a month, Boosong and his family travel over an hour to the seaside resort of Pattaya. This month, the young boy will attempt to extend his current record of 31 wins in 36 bouts.
In between competitions, he works hard on his physique by completing his arduous daily training. No sweets or treats are allowed.
Boosong says: “The only thing that matters to me is boxing. All day I look forward to coming home and doing some more training and it is especially exciting when I fight for real.”
Like thousands of poor young boys and girls around Thailand, Boosong and his family see Muay Thai – the country’s national sport – as a route out of poverty.
Known as the “art of eight limbs”, the full-contact sport uses fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet.
Boosong’s father Sompong says: “I am so proud of my sons – they work very hard. Of course the money comes in handy and Boosong has made a promising start to his career, making around 4,000 baht (around £80) per fight.
“I earn around 1,000 baht (£20) per day as a casual labourer on local construction projects so it makes a big difference to our life. It is very common practice here – it isn’t odd for children to do this sport.”
Sompong, who used to fight competitively but now focuses on training his sons, says: “Boosong has a real drive to make it. He’s got the right attitude and studies the professionals on TV. He’s dedicated, and hasn’t lost often, but when he does lose he is horrible to be around. He gets frustrated and grumpy.”
Sompong admits that he pushes his boys hard, adding: “If I don’t put them through their paces, they might not take it seriously enough. I admit the training has a big impact on their life and sometimes it is tough but it’s the only way.”
Boosong’s brother Preeda is also a fighter. He says: “After a big fight, my legs get really swollen. Sometimes it gets so bad that I can’t go to school or hang around with my friends.”
At the stadium, the crowd roars and people lay cash bets totalling 50,000 baht (£10,000) on which child will win.
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