James - Cornwall

I have to say that after following both threads I find your literal interpretation of the rules as they are written both sensible and correct and also like a breath of fresh air over here.

This has been very eye opening I believe for many and the clear and concise facts show clearly the problems with misinterpreting rules.

There is so much that I could say but I believe it needs to be tackled carefully and clearly exactly like James Cornwall has.

It is the sport Authority of Thailand that actually has the written rules of Muaythai which the WBC, other associations and the stadiums adopt - how they interpret them is another thing.

I for one believe that for the growth of the sport as a Professional sport it has to be a literal interpretation - this is what the WBC follow. No-where is it written or has it been officially changed to allow anything other than the literal interpretation. I think that Dave Croft makes the most important point in saying this:

"But thats the rules. We didnt make them. We just train fighters to exploit them."

- This is the sort of loophole that will be the downfall of any sport - exploit them for who's benefit? Not the crowd, not the future growth of the sport - simply to gain the win. The rules as they are written cannot be exploited as it is quite simple - do more damage to them in a round than they do to you - that makes a great fight.

The stadiums interpret the rules as written simply to make their own shows good sellers (after all they are businesses) - as said above:

"As for differences between the stadiums, that has been the case for as long as I remember. The differences were actually far greater previously when Radjadamnern had no standing 8 counts but Lumpinee did. More recently Lumpinee banned boxers circle grabbing the waist for a period of time too, but then changed back to allowing it."

These differences are simply introduced to try and make the fights more sellable in that stadium. And with such major differences in their interpretation of the rules and regulations - which would you follow when deciding to adopt their interpretation as correct? You cannot pick and choose to suit or it is in fact yourself that should change the name of the sport you are doing.

"But thats the rules. We didnt make them. We just train fighters to exploit them."

That above sentence sums up the problem - there is no room for exploitation of misinterpretation.

Again this is my following and that of those I work with - so keep it civil as it is in everybodys interest to grow the sport.