Muay Thai fighter quits sport after opponent dies from knockout elbow

Anthony Durand has announced his resignation from Muay Thai boxing following the death of his opponent Phanphet Phadungchai.

Phanphet and Durand fought at the Thupatemi Air Force boxing stadium in Pathum Thani province, central Thailand, on July 15. An elbow to the jaw ended the fight in the fifth and final round. Durand's brutal hit sent his opponent flying to the ground, with his head hitting the canvas hard.

The Thai-born fighter was declared 'brain dead after being rushed to a nearby Bangkok hospital immediately after, where it was discovered he had suffered a brain haemorrhage as a result of the impact. Phanphet later died as a result of his injuries and Durand has quit the sport after learning the devastating news.

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Doctors initially said Phanphet had entered an "irreversible state of brain death", but the fighter fought for his life with the help of a breathing apparatus for nine days before passing away on Saturday night. Durand announced his resignation on Facebook, paying tribute to Phanphet's family.

"I'm aware I'm not responsible for what's happening, but I can't think 'It's the risks, at some point, you have to expect it'," Durand wrote. "It's a big shock, maybe he took a lot of blows before that fight.

"I faced him for five rounds and it was one of my last shots… So of course I feel responsible and no one can take that out of my head. Even though your messages, calls, and comments are comforting me at the moment, I am deeply sad.

"It is inexplicable but it's fate and I have no right to oppose it. I only wish he is resting in peace now and I commit to his mother, wife, and their little girl to contribute financially until they tell me they don't need it anymore.

"This was my 28th fight but it was the last. I will not return… Thank you to everyone who has been there since my debut and I am sorry because I know that some people have sacrificed a lot to see me at the top."

Phanphet's death has rocked the nation of Thailand, and come as a big surprise to the sport. Phanphet previously competed for Thailand's national team and managed to win a silver medal at the 2019 SEA games in the Philippines.

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