Khaosai Galaxy Backs Nabil Anan After Amateur Boxing Sparring
Former world champion Khaosai Galaxy defended Muay Thai star Nabil Anan after his first amateur boxing sparring session against national team member Bunjong Sinsiri drew harsh criticism. Khaosai said Nabil’s performance was not a heavy loss but a lack of experience and confidence, and he offered to mentor Nabil ahead of a planned return to amateur boxing in January.
After rising Muay Thai star Nabil Anan sparred for the first time in amateur boxing against Bunjong Sinsiri, the national team’s top fighter at 65 kg, he faced criticism that he was still far behind Bunjong and had been soundly beaten — even though the session had no official decision. Nabil himself confirmed he must first focus on his ONE Championship Muay Thai world title fight against Nico Carrillo this December, after which he plans to return to amateur boxing in January.
Most recently, former WBA junior bantamweight world champion Khaosai Galaxy shared his view on his Facebook page, saying it is too soon to judge Nabil harshly because he has only just started amateur boxing and was matched against the far more experienced Bunjong. Khaosai believes Nabil still has a future and can go far with more experience. He urged coach Somrak Kamsing to give Nabil plenty of sparring rounds — four rounds of four minutes against four different opponents — so he can gain experience in movement, punching, and defense, which solo training cannot provide. He noted Nabil’s tools are not inferior, but he lacks the confidence to unleash them against a southpaw like Bunjong who has high experience and throws everything. Khaosai advised Nabil to jab heavily, sneak in the right hand like Samart Payakaroon, and not wait too long to counter. In Khaosai’s eyes, Nabil didn’t lose badly; he simply lacks experience and confidence. With more ring time, he will improve quickly. Khaosai added that Nabil still has the potential to go far, needing only to overcome his hesitation. He asked Somrak to emphasize the jab, offered to help personally, and stressed that in amateur boxing the jab is paramount — his own jab kept everyone at bay thanks to his vast experience.
