Prisoner Boxes Her Way To Freedom

[happywonton]

Prisoner boxes her way to freedom

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thailand's first female boxing world champion has been released from jail as a reward for winning the women's world light-flyweight title earlier this year.

Siriporn Thaweesuk, who boxed her way to freedom, was released Wednesday on parole from the women's prison in Pathum Thani province, 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Bangkok, three years before the end of her seven-year sentence for selling amphetamines.

Siriporn -- or Samson Sor Siriporn as she is known in the ring -- defeated Japan's Ayaka Miyano for the title in a prison yard boxing ring in April amid cheers from other inmates and prison guards.

She had previously been told by prison authorities that they would release her early if she won the title.

The victory in April was her first after having lost the WBC Straw-weight title to Japan's Nanako Kikuchi last year.

A first-time offender, Siriporn grew up in a poor family in the Thai capital of Bangkok, where her family had to sell clothing by the roadside to survive.

After her release, Siriporn will continue to train on the prison grounds and live in a house provided by the prison authorities in a nearby compound. She will also be required to report to the director of the women's prison once a month.

The decision to grant her parole as a reward for the world boxing title was not without controversy, but the boxing champion shrugged off the criticism as she left behind her years behind bars.

"Thanks for those who supported a convict like me. Some may not agree but I don't care. I am happy that there are people willing to support me. I like to thank all the officials as well," Siriporn said at a press conference after her release.

Siriporn's first bout to defend her title is set for late July.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... index.html

[raum]

I think they should give Charles Manson the same deal.

Tell him he can box his way out of prison in 365 bouts, one a day, for a full year. but also tell the HUGE dudes he is coming up against that they win a year of freedom for every bone they break in Manson's body, and they get 500,000 dollars to spend in that year if the wound is an open fracture.