"He's got a puncher's chance with anyone in the world, any of the top lightweights, if he hits them sweet on the chin he'll KO them, no question, " he said.

BBC: Thaxton deserves world title shot

If old pals thought Ko was acting oddly, no one foresaw what would come next.

CNN: NIGHTMARE IN NEW YORK

Ko Kret feels worlds away from Bangkok: it is almost entirely green, there are no cars and the vibe is more rural Cambodia than urban Thailand.

BBC: Take the boat out of Bangkok

" When I ask mayor Ko Lay about this, he laughs: "You can walk the streets at night, no problem.

CNN: A Tale of Two Countries