Olympic Gold Medalist Defends Boxer After Asian Games Exit
Olympic gold medalist Samruk Kamsing defended boxer Veerapol Jongjawhoa's early exit from the 2026 Asian Games, citing a controversial referee count after a punch that disrupted his focus during the 80kg bout. Despite the loss, Samruk belie
Olympic gold medalist Samruk Kamsing has analyzed the early exit of boxer Veerapol Jongjawhoa from the Asian Games 2026 after losing 0-5 to a Chinese opponent in the 80kg boxing division. Samruk points to an overly hasty referee count following a punch to the face as the turning point that caused Veerapol to lose focus and composure in the fight.
Samruk explained the difference in international boxing rules, stating that referees can count immediately when they see a solid punch, unlike in Muay Thai, and three counts in a single round result in a knockout loss. However, he remains confident in Veerapol's potential, describing him as a top-10 level boxer in the 80kg weight class—a weight class where Thailand has few elite fighters. He noted that Veerapol had only recently recovered from a shoulder injury and prolonged rest, and still has two more years to rebuild his form and secure qualification for the next Olympic Games.
