A Muay Thai boxer has announced his retirement after his opponent died from a knockout.
French fighter Anthony Durand went up against Thai athlete Phanphet Phadungchai on 15 July at the Muay Thai Fighter X event in Thailand.
The pair took to the ring at the Thupatemi Air Force boxing stadium in the Pathum Thani province and fought up until the fifth and final round, when an elbow hit sent Phadungchai flying to the ground.
After hitting his head on the canvas, knocking him unconscious, Durand's opponent was rushed to a Bangkok hospital where he was found to be brain dead from a brain haemorrhage.
Phadungchai was kept alive by breathing apparatus for more than a week before tragically passing away on Saturday, 23 July.
Durand has now decided to quit the sport, saying that he feels partly 'responsible' for the death.
Taking to Facebook in an emotional tribute to Phadungchai's family, a translation reads: "I'm aware I'm not responsible for what's happening, but I can't think, 'It's the risks, at some point, you have to expect it'.
"It's a big shock, maybe he took a lot of blows before that fight.
"I faced him for five rounds and it was one of my last shots... So of course I feel responsible and no one can take that out of my head.
"Even though your messages, calls, and comments are comforting me at the moment, I am deeply sad.
"It is inexplicable but it's fate and I have no right to oppose it. I only wish he is resting in peace now and I commit to his mother, wife, and their little girl to contribute financially until they tell me they don't need it anymore.
"This was my 28th fight but it was the last. I will not return… Thank you to everyone who has been there since my debut and I am sorry because I know that some people have sacrificed a lot to see me at the top."
Tributes continue to pour in for Padungchai and his family, including one from the non-profit WBC MuayThai.
"The entire WBC MuayThai family sends our condolences to the family of Parnpetch Padungchai who sadly passed away this evening (July 23), succumbing to the injuries suffered in a MuayThai contest on July 15," they wrote on Facebook.
"May he Rest In Peace."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Topics: World News, Sport, Boxing
