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• Health and Medicine
• Sports
• 11 / 10 / 2006

Thailand's wayward boxer Manus Boonjumnong is a reformed character and is determined to win an Asian Games gold after a two-year absence from the ring.

The president of Thailands amateur boxing association, Thaweep Jantaroj, said yesterday that the Olympic light-welterweight champion had turned his back on his extravagant party lifestyle and was on course to win the gold medal in Doha next month.

"He has worked very hard, he is confident, and he is serious about winning. If he can fight as well as he did in Athens he can still get the gold medal," said Thaweep.

Manus became an instant celebrity in Thailand after his Olympic success but his playboy antics ensured that he remained in the public spotlight throughout the two years that followed.

The 26-year-old reportedly squandered the US$600,000 his gold medal earned him on booze, women and a serious gambling addiction, which led to his pregnant wife leaving him.

But a confident Manus could turn things around in time for the Games.

Thaweep sent him to Cuba two months ago in a penniless state and ordered him to straighten himself out.

"In Cuba, he couldnt go anywhere, no drinking, no gambling, no nothing - just training, sleeping and sparring," said Thaweep.

"He had big problems, but not any more. He has recovered from that, and he just got stronger and stronger."

In the space of a few months, Manus has shed 12kg and is being kept under close watch by top Cuban coaches, who say he is capable of winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Thailand will take seven other fighters to Doha.

The countrys sports chiefs believe six of them will win medals.

Along with Manus, world champion Somjit Jongjohor is being tipped for gold, although Thaweep insisted Somjits preparations had been a lot smoother than those of his extrovert teammate.

"Somjit is different, he is a very good boy. He has great discipline, no distractions, and a good family behind him," he said.

"We have six excellent boxers who can all win medals, and everyone is looking good."

Source: Reuters