Before the beginning of each match, the boxers, wearing amulets around their head, arms and neck, make ritual gestures. They bow to the boxing spirits (khruu), they call at each corner of the ring and dance (ram muay) to music in homage to their trainer (ruam). The match starts slowly but the pace soon quickens as the fight becomes more aggressive and the punches more rapid. They add to the tempo and intensity of the band's music (piphat - Thai flute, pii - percussion, cymbals) and to the shouts of the excited crowd. As with a horse race, the punters, who sometimes bet large sums of money, have the same rage and desire for their champion to win, shouting and yelling in a fairground atmosphere. Then come the blows, with the fists, feet, knees, elbows - it becomes increasingly violent. The Muay Thai represents the most violent of martial arts. The boxers fight during five 3-minute rounds if a knockout is not conceded, which happens often in this type of fight.

When the bell rings at the end of the round, the aggressiveness used to fight the opponent immediately disappears making way for a gesture of respect. The two boxers touch each other's gloves and they embrace each other in a brotherly fashion as a sign of acknowledgement. (/LA)