Presenting the statements from Pundit and Jonfonhao following the controversy over the large skill gap in a children's boxing match between them.
On 26 July 2026, after a controversy arose regarding the pairing of children under 15 in a boxing match held during the Traditional Longboat Race Festival at Wat Makham on 25 Jul 2026, at the Ban Klang Municipal Boxing Dome, Wat Makham, the fight featured Pundit Laochokcharoenratchasi against Jonfonhao Okorach in the 28 kg weight class.
Normally, besides weighing in before the match, the matchmaker must also consider whether the bone maturity of the two young boxers is comparable. They avoid pairing a highly experienced child fighter against one with only a few bouts to ensure the safety of the children.
The result was Jonfonhao delivering various strikes including punches and kicks that left Pundit bruised and barely able to walk, clearly showing a significant skill and bone maturity gap. This led to Pundit having to rest on the back of his trainer, Wan Chalong P.K. Saenchai.
Jonfonhao’s father posted: “Regarding the current controversy, I am Jonfonhao’s guardian. He is currently in Grade 3, not yet 9 years old, and has fought 10 bouts, losing more than five times. He has never protested or thrown tantrums and always accepts decisions. When matched, he knows he is bigger and smiles happily. Losing and sulking is unacceptable. This is children’s sports—winning and losing is normal. Please don’t exploit children for content or teach them to behave that way. Losing is losing; it’s a sports game. Some say he has fought no less than 50 bouts—how is that possible? He just transferred schools and hasn’t completed a term. To be able to fight this well, credit goes to his coach. How hard he must train to get here. I hope people will see it from this perspective.”
Meanwhile, Wan Chalong P.K. Saenchai, Pundit’s trainer, responded in a video: “I saw comments saying his son has fought only 9-10 times and is amazing. The kid is very skilled; I have no complaints. Most people feel sorry for Pundit because he got hurt a lot. I have no complaints because the expert, Sian Wain, has explained everything. What I do take issue with is the father accusing me of not teaching my fighters to accept wins and losses. I teach everything—to be good people—and all the kids in the camp. Sometimes it’s frustrating; don’t think I don’t teach or that we treat them like tools. I have no complaints. I teach my fighters well. Please tell him that. But I admit he’s great, having fought 9-10 times.”