TOKYO (Reuters)
Transvestite Thai kickboxer Parinya
Kiatbusaba has promised his Japanese opponent
a smack
on the lips, although not the kind he might be expecting.
"If my opponent wins the fight, I will give him a big kiss,"
Parinya told a news conference Tuesday ahead of his match
against Japanese champion Hiroyuki Doi Thursday.
Parinya's manager said the fight could be Parinya's last because
the fighter, who is undefeated in 30 fights in Thailand, plans
to have a sex change operation soon.
The manager earlier this week created a stir by saying his
20-year-old boxer wanted
to wear a special support bra to
protect his breasts, which have grown due female hormone
treatments.
Parinya first came into the spotlight in Thailand about two
years ago when he tearfully refused to weigh in for a fight
wearing only his underwear, as required by fight regulations.
He later unsuccessfully switched to a singing career before
going back to the ring.
Parinya told reporters Tuesday he hoped his next career would be
less physically and mentally taxing than
kickboxing.
