Former junior bantamweight champion Khaosai Galaxy has been named a WBA legend.
Former WBA champion Khaosai Galaxi. In his heyday he successfully defended his crown 19 times, scoring 16 knockouts.
Khaosai, who successfully defended the WBA 115-pound belt 19 times, is recognised for being a role model inside and outside the ring.
"For a boxer to receive the award, he must be great in the ring and leads a graceful life after retirement," said Khaosai's former promoter Niwat Laosuwanwat, who was himself named a WBA legend in 2010.
"Khaosai deserves the recognition. He has set a good example for young people."
Khaosai today
The Phetchabun native won the crown in November 1984 when he stopped Eusebio Espinal of the Dominican Republic in the sixth round to claim the vacent title.
He then went on to beat all his 19 opponents - a world record for a lighter weight division - with 16 knock-outs.
He retired in December 1991 after his points victory over Armando Castro of Mexico in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, Pornsawan Porpramook's bout against Japanese Akira Yaegashi in October in Japan was voted the WBA's most dramatic fight of 2011. The Thai was stopped in the 10th round in the 33-year-old's first title defence after winning it from Muhammad Rachman in Indonesia three months earlier.
The award ceremony will be held in Panama on Feb 29 and Khaosai and Niwat will be there.