Heartbreaking: Thai Boxer Claims Match-Fixing Led to Loss, Malaysia Awarded SEA Games 2025 Gold (Video)";"tags":["boxing","sports controversy","SEA Games","match-fixing"]
On 17 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Phetsuphan Luknongpantao (also known as Phetsuphan Por Daurungruang or Chalermchai Meenildee), a Thai national boxer, posted on his personal social media expressing his feelings after being judged the loser at the SEA Games 2025 hosted by Thailand.
In the SEA Games 2025 Muay Thai semifinals for the men's 51 kg category, Phetsuphan Luknongpantao unexpectedly lost on points 28-29 to Filipino boxer L.J. Rafael Yasey, missing the chance to compete for the gold medal.
However, Phetsuphan revealed he had heard beforehand that his match would be fixed and was shocked to see the first-round score against him despite feeling he performed better. He expressed frustration and said he was done with competing for the national team, preferring to go professional.
After losing on points in the semifinals of the 51 kg men's Muay Thai event at SEA Games 2025, Phetsuphan posted: "I want to apologize to everyone. The bad luck fell on me. I trained hard for what I thought would be my last SEA Games, but in the end, my efforts were wasted."
"First, I want to vent a little. Before the fight, a coach told me that in the 51 kg category—the one I fight in—they would fix the result to give Malaysia the gold medal. And that's exactly what happened."
"#KnowingTheTrueNatureOfAmateurMuayThai #ThaiSociety #AllowingCheating #EvenAtTheCostOfOne'sOwnHonor"
"Normally I don't speak out, but today I have to vent. I’m speaking honestly about what I heard firsthand. My chances are very slim now. #ITrainedHard, skipped meals for months, never missed a day of practice, #ButIWasSetUpToBeDisappointed"
In a post-loss interview with Muay Siam (Siam Muay) page, Phetsuphan said, "Overall, I think I fought very well today. I was shocked by losing the first round on points. To be honest, before the fight, a Malaysian coach told me they would fix the result, probably in my match, to favor the Malaysian opponent in the 51 kg category."
"He spoke to me directly. I felt very disappointed. I believed I would win, especially fighting at home with no similar opportunity again. But the score said otherwise, which hurt my feelings about the sport. This will likely be my last time with the national team. I expected a medal; I trained very hard."
"I'm done with the national team. I will switch to professional Muay Thai. I want to apologize to Thai sports fans for not achieving the result. I gave it my all."
*Thanks to Facebook: Phetsuphan Luknongpantao
