Want early release? Become a gladiator! Sorta. . .

[General Zod]

Thai prisoner boxes for freedom

A female Thai prisoner has boosted her chances of freedom by winning the world light flyweight boxing title.

Samson Sor Siriporn, a convicted drug dealer, beat Japan's Ayaka Miyano in a bout staged at the mixed Klong Prem jail, known as the "Bangkok Hilton".

Watched by dozens of prison staff, Siriporn won on points after 10 rounds in the ring, kick-starting parole proceedings for her early release.

The 24-year-old took up boxing to protect herself from violent inmates.

"I'm so happy with the way I performed today. I'm very proud. I've been in jail for a long time now, I hope this will see me released early," said Siriporn after the fight.

"When I'm free I'll carry on fighting. I want to fight all over the world."

'Changed woman'

The match took place in a makeshift ring in the grounds of the Klong Prem prison, in front of a crowd of about 700 people, including a few prison inmates.

Thai prisoner boxer Samson Sor Siriporn (L) and Japanese boxer Miyano Ayaka
Siriporn was jailed for selling methamphetamine pills
Transvestites released from their cells for the event paraded in high heels around the ring with placards.

Siriporn, serving a 10-year sentence for selling small amounts of drugs, dominated the fight, taking the World Boxing Council title 97-93, 98-92, 100-91.

A Thai corrections department official said the parole process would start immediately.

"I think it's very likely she will be released as a result of this victory, maybe in a couple of months. We gave her a chance to show us her talent, and she has done that," said Natti Jitsawang.

"She is a changed woman, and now she has the chance to be free and fight around the world."

Organisers believe the win makes Siriporn the first inmate to clinch a world title in prison.

[TheLemur]

And so, you see, we should be releasing prisoners who like getting into violent fights. Riiight. This isn't even a "fighting sport" thing that can't really be used to hurt people; it explicitly says "The 24-year-old took up boxing to protect herself from violent inmates. "

[Raj Ahten]

This article is pretty surreal. The whole thing sounds like some early 90's movie plot. That being said, at least the female prisoner now has some prospects, and we've all heard about getting discipline from martial arts. I'm betting her options were either sell drugs, become a prostitue, work slave wages at a factory (if a such a job was even available in her area. Bet she was from a rural area, where jobs are hard to find), or go unemployed and starve before her imprisonment.

[spongyblue]

I just found it funny that the trannies where allowed to parade around the match round placards!