I hope Buakaw owed somebody a favor or something, not quite sure what he was doing at the fabulous Patong Stadium… The sad part of it is that I’m willing to bet 90% of the people present don’t even have a clue who he is. This was taken just a few weeks ago… thanks to Tiger Muay Thai for posting and Gusnark for brining it to our attention.
I know it’s just a simple pad demo but for me the timing is all wrong. If he hadn’t lost I wouldn’t try to read anything into it…
I once saw a Discovery Channel documentary on the Shaolin Monks, it chronicled their rich heritage and followed this long unbroken chain of masters who’ve kept their tradition alive. Then it cut to a bunch of Chinese tourists testing the Monks chi, by kicking him in the nads. They all lined up one by one and kicking him in the nads. Of course the monk was playing along at it was all part of the photo and video opportunity for the paying tourists.
I was like, shit… what the hell’s going on here. Is this what’s it’s come to? Is this all part of the entrance fee and paying the bills? I’m sure this wasn’t the grandmasters plan when they started allowing tourist to visit the temple. It’s an image that’s always stuck with me…
Okay I’m not saying Buakaw is going to fighting fat tourist in Pattaya… I’m just worried for the guy.
August 27, 2008 at 9:30 am
This reminds me of boxing stories and novels. Tourists, passerbiers and boxing fans would pay a cheap admittance fee to see a champ do his work out a few days before the fight. The champ would do some ring work with some chump and some pad work that mad him look good. It would cover some of the champs expenses, bring in a little rake, and be a good garnish for the media.
That said this isn’t the old days of boxing. I don’t know how one goes about marketing oneself but this seems a little outdated. Maybe it would have been a good idea prior to his debut in k1 max, or during, but honestly buakaw is on a decline or at best stagnant. He can still put on a good show, but a good show without a heart… what is that?
August 27, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I really don’t see the point in this. I don’t mean to be harsh, I really like Buakaw, but coming off his extremely disappointing knockout in K-1, the man should be focussing everything he has on training and bettering himself as a fighter. He’s gotten lazy, and that was on display during a fight. Kicking the pads in the ring in front of a few hundred people only raises the embarassing question of why he has a padholder in the ring as opposed to a nak muay.
August 27, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I was living in China until very recently and the discussion about how far the ShaoLin Monks were going in order to earn some bucks was frequent. From camps and exhibitions to licensed products (check http://store.taobao.com/shop/view_shop-bfd6068fcfcb8f8acb4b1517fb7d005a.htm ) they are doing everything they can.
About Buakaw, I am such a fan that I enjoyed watching him kicking the pads for 2 minutes. I would be singing in the rain if I had caught one of those T-shirts.
But in the other hand: it is all kind of sad huh….
August 27, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Nice observations guys.
One thing is clear, if that KO didn’t sober him, then his prime years are over. By sobering I mean getting motivation. Continuing like this his contract with K-1 will be soon over. Maybe it’s already, that’s at least what hellfighter from K-1fans was aiming at. I was also told from a person who knows Buakaw, that his future in K-1 is still not clear, he recently moved to and lives in the gym, not training as he should. But on the other hand, he achieved a lot, made a lot of money to live in peace (I hope)… anyways this must be really hard time for him.
August 27, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Gusnark-
Can you elaborate… do you mean Buakaw has moved out of the gym. I’m certain he’s always lived at the camp…
August 27, 2008 at 5:55 pm
If that little presentation was for an upcoming fight, then I wouldn’t question it. Many big boxing fights have open/easy workout sessions show casing each fighter. I take it this was not the case. If no more K-1, then he can still fight in other promotions- Slamm for instance.
August 27, 2008 at 10:34 pm
come on. this is just por pramuk soaking in the money. i’ve heard por pramuk really likes his moolah. he is notorious for demanding more money for boxers, has fallen out with fight promoters and stadia before and K-1 is not an exception. he knows he’s struck gold with buakaw in K-1. but the downside is buakaw is contractually not allowed to fight outside K-1 without K-1 approval. so what’s he gonna do to rake in some extra on the side with his prizefighter without having him fight? right.
man, i really hope buakaw isn’t going down. something’s changed inside him recently, that’s for sure.
August 28, 2008 at 1:28 am
The padholder falls over too much in an exaggerated way, I think. It looks like WWE. I don’t find it all that impressive that a top nak muay can topple a much older not-so-fit (aka fat) dude.
August 28, 2008 at 11:40 am
Nopstar-
My mistake. I meant, he lives in the gym but not training.
September 3, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Baukaw wont be fighting K1 again.. but you will see him down under in Australia for a few months of R&R @ somboon muaythai in north queensland
Currently hes holding pads @ Por pomuk and having a well deserved break from fight training..
September 3, 2008 at 4:00 pm
What he wont be fighting K1 ever again?
Dannyavision where did you get this information from? Does this mean it will open the way up for Yod to fight K1?
September 6, 2008 at 12:37 pm
May be he will Fight K1 again as the promoters will hound him for a long time I expect….,
but @ the moment hes NOt intrested in Training for the next fight.. he is considering his options, his k1 contract expires very soon.
An Australian Fight promoter ( Jason @ Jabout) is tiring to sign him to fight @ Sydney 2009 against JWP .. 80% chance it will happen some time in 2009…
Some of the por pomurk trainer’s & fighter’s are currently in Australia for the next 3 months @ Somboon Muaythai camp @ Port Douglas ( North Queensland). Baukaw is considering going down under for a holiday & have some fun / NOT to fight ! ..
How do I know all this you ask… Harley Avison (my nephew) trains with Baukaw @ Por Pormuk, they were staying with me @ Rawai Muaythai Camp last month during their recent visit to Phuket.
September 8, 2008 at 10:40 am
dannyavison THANKS A LOT
For the exiting Info. Sounds nervewrecking for us Buakaw Fans.
September 8, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I’ve heard many times now, that Buakaw won’t be fighting in K-1, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Thanks dannyavison, any info is appreciated.