LOL "apologies for the ridiculously long post - you don't have to read it if you don't want to", at the end of the ridicuously long post, after you have read it.

Fair points though Richard in some respects. However, confusion reigns because it seems that our interpretation of "proper MT rules" seems to change, depending on who you talk to. The first two rounds debate is a clear example of that.

There can be no denying Tony Myers unfaultered passion for legitimate authentic scoring, and as such he should not be criticised at all for his beliefs. His claims that judging the Thai way is totally consistant in most Thai stadiums are, I am sure 100% correct, although once again we can go back to the betting environment that Mr Keddle mentions. I don't mean that in a corrupt way, just that it perhaps sets the pattern for a contest and makes earlier rounds less relevent.

From a progressive point of view, the sport will not move forward quickly enough under these conditions.
I remain impartial as to the rights and wrongs as I believe you are correct when you say that we can't claim to beat the Thais at their own game if we are not going to play it their way. Fair comment.
Also there is nothing more enjoyable than an authentic contest for the likes of us on here.
But if you are one of the 10,000 mentioned earlier who are just coming for a good fight, it will be confusing, even with education. If that was not the case we would not be arguing on this thread.

For exposure, growth, better purses etc, we have to appeal to the masses and in a way that is exactly what Super league and K1 have done. People can knock those styles all they like but the simplified versions have overtaken the traditional.
It does not mean that we have to abandon authentic Muay Thai, we just have to accept what is smacking us right in the face and then find a way to move forward.