14th of June will see one of the biggest events the WMC has ever sanctioned with a total of 7 world title fights on the card for the Monte Carlo Fighting Masters event under the high patronage of Prince Albert II.
A special press conference was held at the Sport Authority of Thailand on Friday 13th December, chaired by The Baroness Cecile De Massy and the WMC President General Chetta Thanajaro. The function room was packed with over 50 journalists and press from print and television.
The President of the WMC welcomed the Baroness and Mr. Claude Pouget, general delegate of the Monte Carlo Fighting Masters event. He thanked them for taking the time to travel all the way to Bangkok. He exclaimed that the event would involve the greatest muaythai champions in the 7 world title fights, and hopes that this extraordinary event will take muaythai to yet another level, especially under the auspices of HSH Prince Albert II.
The Deputy Governor of the Sport Authority of Thailand Mr. Sakon Wannapong welcomed The Baroness to the Kingdom of Thailand and stated that the Government of Thailand is truly grateful to Monaco and that while 2013 was another important year with Muaythai’s inclusion in the International World Games Association and the success of the World Combat Games, 2014 would be another huge year with the Monte Carlo Fighting Masters as undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights.
Mr. Claude Pouget gave an emotional speech on the cultural excellence of muaythai, the many benefits the sport has, and that Monte Carlo and Monaco is truly honoured to have HSH Prince Albert II as the high patron of this event, which will make history. He invited the Royal Thai Government to visit Monaco.
The Vice President of the WMC Mr. Stephan Fox thanked The Baroness and also commended her love for muaythai as she herself has been a practitioner of muaythai for many years. He stated that Monaco would make muaythai history in more than one way. HSH Prince Albert II as high patron not just for this event but also for the Organisation for Peace and Sport in which muaythai is a very active stakeholder.
He revealed that the number of WMC champions and World Title bouts on the fight card was the biggest ever in Europe. Mr Fox outlined again that this event would showcase muaythai not just as a fighting sport, but its deep cultural roots which fosters cultural understanding on the way to becoming IOC recognised.