i think this is where i left off with the last blog... we've got two boxers in the ring, the first bell sounds and the ref gives the "go" signal - the fight begins. Each match starts off slow, the opponents dance to the rhythm of bells that ring through the building during the fight, and feel out the style of the other fighter. Rounds 1 and 2 are always a little slow, warming up, gauging skill, being careful to save enough energy for the end... Each fight is unique, and consequently, edge-of-your-seat captivating, especially in the final rounds. The boxers are quick, and deceivingly strong for their size - is it possible to have negative body fat? The loud slap of bare foot on skin echos through the audience and about half of the crowd goes wild in response. As the fight progresses the welts on thighs and abdomens darken from pink to purple and multiply with each round. In the later rounds the fighters close in, they interlock arms, and both try to pull their opponent close to prevent an attack while attempting to distance their own legs enough to pick up momentum for a side jab that scores a point (confusing? not when you're watching it). Eventually the ref will step in, pressing his body to both of the boxers' as a signal for them to stop pummeling each other for a moment while he grabs them simultaneously by the back of the neck and pulls them apart, forcing them to opposite ends of the right with firm pushes to their sternums. He gives the signals and red and blue are instantly mixing to purple again as the crowd roars in response.
The fights were all remarkably even, the fighters strikingly compatible in strength and skill, that we hardly ever correctly predicted the winner. At the beginning of each match we'd wait for the opponents to remove their robes, then we'd size them up during their warm up, and settle on our "bets" by the first bell. I tried to choose the bigger of the two, more muscle, longer reach, but a few kicks in and I'd always be questioning my decision. Betting is a big part of the matches. Behind us the stands were filled with men of all ages yelling and screaming with hands in the air, fingers indicating who their money was on and how much they were betting.
Despite the outward violence of the sport, in involves an incredible amount of skill and if you can appreciate that fact you will be instantly hooked. Also, I loved watching the fighters before and after the match when they would smile and act somewhat human :) during the fights you are convinced their stern, often grimacing faces and blank eyes are incapable of such a facial gesture as a smile... But when the fight is over they break into wide smiles, hug their opponents as if they weren't enemies just a moment before, and you know they wouldn't want to be doing anything other than muay thai boxing.
I have pages more I could write about the matches, I could replay each fight with detail you couldn't get from film footage, but I have other blogs to write and I'm far behind on my Thailand adventures, so I'm going to move on. Ask me if you'd like to hear more about muay thai boxing, I'd be happy to elaborate :)
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