I agree with Niel .Stadium Muay Thai and sport Muay Thai are different . Los comments about gambling influencing the stadium fights is relevant.maximizing earnings and longivity of the fighters are valid points.

The rules are the rules (as stated above).

The judges did not score a BKK stadium fight. In David v Samkor The pace was set early and fast the cutting elbow (which warranted a 10.8 IMO)was caused in round two . This fight was a sport Muay Thai fight ,fought round bye round untill the last second of the final round.

If I had choosen to adopt a stadium stratergy for my fighter in the early rounds he would have surely lost .(oops.. sorry he did)

So on a global basis and Muay Thai is global I believe. Do we fight to Stadium critera or Sport critera both of which use the same scoring critera ?.

There is common ground as Richard said a fight is a fight and should be scored a
accordingly, Muay Thai as always should be scored on effect, fighting spirit etc.

So where does that leave us ? well Stadium fights are stadium fights learn to understand the stadiums if you wish to win there.As far as the rest of us who competing on a global front. fight each round, score each round under the guidlines of the Thai sport Authority .

As for the judging on the England v Thailand is no doubting the Three Judges knowledge and understanding of Muay Thai or there integrity .

I was concerned about Impartiality , and Political influences
(that reared there ugly head)

I sat close (as I was commentating ringside) to one well respected and knowledgable judge who expressed his admiration for the legendary Samkor , I feel the same way about Samkor however I am not judging the fight and would need to be (and precieved to be )neutral.

Directly opposite is a another very senior and experienced judge engaging in conversation not with a offical but a another (self proffessed fan of Samkor) through out the fight.

Staying in the same hotels travelling together etc or showing any impartiality
leads to precisely this questions of Bias.

Now my honest oponion is Craig is a very honourable man as is Tony I only differ with them on the interpretation of the same scoring critera .

I viewed the fight as a fight at the end of the fight the fighters knew who won.

This debate is healthy it has cleared the air Tony has done a great job on helping standardize Muay Thai judging in the UK . However maybe to much emphasis is given to the stadium judging (disreguarding early roumds) which differs to global sport Muay Thai .

I am sure other countries are experiencing similar issues or will in the near future.

It is not my intent to change the rules . The rules are laid down quite clearly . Most major international fights are not fought in the Bkk stadiums but around the globe free from external influences (gambling pressure) .

Crowds do need more educating in the finer points of Muay Thai ,however many train themselves and overall the crowds are far far more knowledgeable then say five years ago, Ram muays are greeted with appaulse .Samkor and Jomhod got standing ovations before the fight.

UK Muay Thai is on the up as I said before bickering is negative but healthy discussion is productive .IMO