(Photo credit: AFP/Getty)
Manus' Profile:
Born: 23 June 1980
Height: 173cm / 5'8"
Weight: 64 kg / 141 lbs
A showman famous for holding his arms down and constantly teasing his opponent, he kept his hands up this time, held his nerve and skilfully counter-punched. His victory guarantees him at least a bronze medal in the Olympic competition. He will be the first Thai boxer to ever win medals in two consecutive Olympic Games. He had won the gold in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Manus, famous at home for his playboy antics rose to fame after Athens when, according to media reports, he squandered $600,000 worth of bonuses on women, gambling and drinking, prompting his pregnant wife to leave him. After taking a break from the sport, he returned to the ring to win gold at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, but made an early exit from last year's world championships in Chicago. He plans to turn into a professional boxer after the Olympics.
(Photo credit: AP)
Serik had won the World Championships in 2005 and 2007 in the Light Welterweight category. According to the bookies, Manus is second ranked in the light-welterweight division with Serik, the favorite. With this victory Manus has good chances of winning the gold. Manus will be in action against Cuban Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo for the semifinal on August 22, 2008, at around 1:30 pm Bangkok time.
Manus performs the Thai wai after his victory in the photo below
(Photo credit: AP)
