Buakaw walks out of fishy K-1 match, disqualified

By Coconuts Bangkok

Oct 13, 2014 | 4:31pm Bangkok time

Muay Thai legend Buakaw refused to fight in what could have been a record-breaking title match Saturday under conditions that – whatever the truth – reflected poorly upon its integrity.

It was in the fourth round pitting him against Germany’s Enriko Kehl at the K-1 Max World Championship on Saturday that Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek, 31, was disqualified after he walked out of the Pattaya stadium without explanation. The match was declared a draw.

Although the move could mean Buakaw potentially gave up a chance to be the first three-time K-1 Max champion, he took to Facebook soon after to offer a cryptic explanation.

“Fans, I’m sorry for confusing you,” wrote the well-regarded fighter who has run up against trouble before. “You will soon understand.”

Another message posted to Banchamek gym page explained that most gamblers had best on Buakaw to win in the first three rounds. When the bout was set to go into a fourth, there was too much money on the line to allow it to continue.

But others speculate Buakaw walked out because the fix was in, and he didn’t want to participate, according to the Bangkok Post. Last week Buakaw reportedly filed a complaint with the police related to the K-1 event, but he still participated because he didn’t want to be in breach of contract with its organizers.

Kehl and Buakaw had squared off at last year’s K-1 event in Khon Kaen, where Buakaw defeated the German by unanimous decision.

Check out this video showing a super-happy Kehl reacting to his not-really win.