Twelve world title defences. Every one away from home. As a South African, Brian Mitchell’s career has always held particular significance for me. Last year, I caught up with him in Manila, where I had taken Kittisak to fight Nico Ali Walsh. Mitchell was there with Siyakholwa Kuse, who was challenging Melvin Jerusalem for the WBC strawweight title, and we sat down at the hotel for an exclusive interview. That conversation became “Frequent Flyer”, my latest feature in this month’s @BoxingNewsED . It’s been great to see the work Mitchell and his team have done with Kuse and Ricardo Malajika, helping another generation of South African fighters make their mark. If you understand how difficult it is to fight away from home, let alone defend a world title on the road, you have to admire Mitchell’s career. Twelve defences overseas, with the pressures of hostile crowds, unfamiliar surroundings and a country isolated from much of the sporting world. As I wrote in the closing line of the feature: “He left his mark on four continents, and the line he carved through South African boxing will outlive every result.”

My latest for @BangkokPost: Tiger March comes through his toughest test to claim the WBA Asia South title in Bangkok. 🥊 bangkokpost.com/sports/33435…

Sunday morning watching boxing at a new venue in Bangkok. Some entertaining fights and a good chance to spot boxers who could get opportunities on bigger shows. A morning well spent.

The conduct surrounding Daniel Hartwell’s defeat to Saw Thank Zin yesterday deserves scrutiny. Hartwell’s manager shouted and swore at the judges and referee live on television after a fight that, in my view, was not particularly close. He then confronted and threatened Saw Thank Zin’s trainer in the dressing room—an incident captured on video by a YouTuber. There is also a serious matchmaking question here. Anyone familiar with Saw Thank Zin knows he is a tough, capable Myanmar journeyman whose record does not reflect his ability. He recently went eight rounds with former world champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. In my view, that was an unsuitable assignment for a 16-year-old prospect at this stage of his development. Having arranged the matchup himself, the manager should reflect on that decision rather than direct his anger at the opposing trainer. The trainer’s responsibility was to prepare his boxer to compete and win. He owes nobody an apology for doing that. Hartwell deserves support and thoughtful development. Saw Thank Zin and his trainer deserve respect for their performance. Disappointment never excuses threats or intimidation. You must win with integrity, and you must lose with integrity

His accurate record

Uncertainty around BoxRec listings in Thailand should not become a business opportunity for opportunistic agents and matchmakers. Approaching a fighter whose result is missing and claiming to have “the power” to ensure future listings raises an obvious question: what exactly is that assurance based on? Fighters deserve clear information about how their bouts are submitted and recorded. Their frustration should not become a sales tool for someone claiming special influence. As strongly as I advocate for fair and consistent record keeping, I must also question how fights are marketed. When a package is presented with apparent certainty about both the outcome and its appearance on a record, that deserves scrutiny too. Legitimate fights deserve fair consideration. Fighters deserve honest representation. Opponents deserve to be treated as competitors. Quite the service when the only uncertainty left is which round.

Don’t let a boxer’s record fool you. 16-year-old Daniel Hartwell and Myanmar’s Saw Thang Sin gave the crowd six exciting rounds at World Siam Stadium. Saw Thang Sin won by split decision, and I had him ahead too. I’ve watched him several times, and his record doesn’t reflect his experience. He’s exactly the type of opponent you match a prospect against to test their ability. Some controversy over the decision, but both men deserve credit. I’d love to see a rematch!

15-year-old Tiger March claimed the WBA Asia South title with a seventh-round TKO over veteran Sukpraserd Ponpitak at World Siam Stadium in Bangkok. I thought this fight might have come too early for him, but he proved me wrong with an impressive performance. A promising young prospect with a bright future if developed correctly. My full ringside report will be published in the Bangkok Post soon.

Records for professional boxing in Thailand are all over the place, and the situation doesn’t look likely to be resolved soon. With shows continuing, will overseas promoters and commissions start recognising other databases when assessing Thai opponents? What’s a workable way forward?

Fifteen year old prospect Srirayakorn Chamjaiharn faces a considerable step up in experience tomorrow when he meets Sukpasried Ponphitak for the WBA Asia South title at World Siam Stadium. The bout headlines a TL Promotion show staged by longtime promoter Tawaseen Luangsawat. Chamjaiharn enters just his sixth professional contest, while Ponphitak brings a record of 33 wins and 27 losses. The veteran has faced Lerato Dlamini, Jerwin Ancajas, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Yukinori Oguni. Whether that experience can carry him past the youngster remains to be seen. Following the fight, however, has proved unnecessarily difficult. I haven’t been able to find an upcoming listing on either BoxRec or Fight Fax, despite this being a Thai versus Thai title contest. Chamjaiharn’s professional BoxRec profile also appears to have been removed, with his previous contests listed as amateur bouts, although my understanding is that they were sanctioned as professional fights. It is unclear whether his age is behind the change, but the wider issue is consistency. Tracking a young fighter’s career in Thailand should not require piecing together basic information from several different sources.

Teremoana Teremoana between rounds at Thai Payak. Hard rounds, calm head, listening to his corner.

In camp with Jack Bowen and Teremoana Teremoana at Thai Payak today. Brought some sparring over for Jack. Always a pleasure to spend time around good people.

A tough night in the Philippines. Banthita Pumkrathok fought her heart out, but was behind on the cards and taking heavy shots in round five, so I threw in the towel. We fight another day. Congratulations to the champion, Ramos, and thank you to matchmaker Anthony for the hospitality during our stay. Tanzania two weeks ago, the Philippines this weekend, and next up is Japan with Tasana Salapat on the 26th. It’s been a busy month. I’m tired, but I love what I do.

Good to meet former Philippine Senator Mr Francis Tolentino here in Tagaytay ahead of tomorrow’s title fight. Looking forward to a great night of boxing in the Philippines.

Boxing brings me to Tagatay, Philiphines for the weekend