/ 4 April 2007

Prisoner fights her way to freedom?

Thai inmate Samson Sor Siriporn boosted her chances of freedom by beating Japan’s Ayaka Miyano to win the vacant women’s WBC light-flyweight title at the notorious ”Bangkok Hilton” prison on Tuesday.

Under the gaze of dozens of prison guards, Siriporn, a convicted drugs dealer, battled through the unforgiving Thai heat to score a unanimous points victory and kick-start parole proceedings for her early release.

”I’ve been in jail for a long time now, I hope this will see me released early,” said Siriporn, flanked by mean-looking guards and surrounded by photographers.

”When I’m free I’ll carry on fighting. I want to fight all over the world.”

Fighting in a makeshift ring in the grounds of the infamous Klong Prem prison with the Thai crowd chanting ”fight, fight”, Siriporn was on the attack from the start and repeatedly forced Miyano on to the ropes with a barrage of punches. ‒ Reuters