Olympic Champion Visits Troubled Boxer, Urges Second Chance
Olympic boxing champion Samaruk Khamsing visited Sri Racha to support troubled junior boxer Amnaj Ruenrueang following a drunk driving incident, urging him to refocus on his career and mentoring role in youth boxing.
At 2:30 p.m. on September 3, a reporter traveled to a restaurant in Sri Racha district, Chonburi province, to meet with relatives of Amnaj Ruenrueang following an incident on September 2 when Amnaj returned home drunk. Samaruk Khamsing, the 1996 Olympic boxing gold medalist, also came to the location.
Samaruk revealed that after hearing the news, he traveled to meet Amnaj to talk and clarify the situation. Amnaj is one of my juniors in the international boxing camp, and I'm concerned about him. I don't want to see him go back to his old ways because he was doing so well. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see him today. I wanted to warn him because he is a hero to many people and an inspiration to young athletes and youth to take up boxing and exercise.
Samaruk expressed confusion about what problems Amnaj might have, noting that trainer Johnny Phutprab takes good care of him. He questioned why Amnaj would drink and drive. He appealed to Amnaj and his nickname Jaopha to regain focus and return to being a mentor to youth, and urged trainer Johnny Phutprab to look after him and give him another chance. He also suggested Amnaj should not return to Sri Racha.
Amnaj's mother disclosed that she wants her son to stay with trainer Johnny Phutprab, who maintains discipline and is loved by everyone. She thanked Johnny Phutprab for helping improve her son's character and requested another opportunity for Amnaj to return to his duties and improve himself. She said if Amnaj misses his family, they will travel to visit him.
