15 Images

Muay Thai boxer

Pheeranut Saleephol, 14, spars with his trainer, Jamlong Jaipakdee, 50, at a Bangkok gym. Thai boxing, known as Muay Thai, is considered to be the national sport of Thailand, with children as young as 8 competing professionally. Pheeranut has been boxing since he was 11. (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Tapanat Thaisamran watches as his son Pheeranut Saleephol trains. (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut spars with his trainer, Jamlong Jaipakdee.
(Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut lifts weights after his boxing routine.
(Lauren DeCicca/ For The Times )

Pheeranut warms up for his workout. (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut cools down after a workout.
(Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut and his mother, Aoy Chumsri, in their Bangkok home.
(Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut’s father, Tapanat Thaisamran, gets ready for work. (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut and trainer Jamlong Jaipakdee settle in to their dorm room before a big match at a Muay Thai stadium in Pattaya, Thailand. (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times )

Pheeranut weighs in before his April match in Pattaya. (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times )

Pheeranut prepares before the match in Pattaya.
(Lauren DeCicca /For The Times )

Pheeranut battles his opponent at the Pattaya stadium.
(Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Tapanat Thaisamran watches son Pheeranut’s match. (Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut rests in his corner after the first round of his match.
(Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)

Pheeranut celebrates his victory in the Pattaya stadium.
(Lauren DeCicca / For The Times)