YORK'S Thai boxer supreme Richard Cadden was 'King Khonged' out of a coronation as world champion in the spiritual home of the sport.

The 28-year-old Cadden spent three months in Thailand honing up on the sport he has graced in this country for the last nine years.

In a stunning finale to his second Far Eastern trip he was pitched into a bout for the 61-kilogramme World Muay-Thai Council world championship against Bangkok's renowned fighter Khong Nakorn in front of a televised audience in the millions.

All was going well for Cadden, who is rated the number one lightweight Thai boxer in Britain, until late in the second round of the four-round battle he was caught by sneaky elbow which gouged open a nasty gash on his forehead above his left eye.

While he remained ready to continue undaunted by the blow, Cadden's vision was severely restricted by the rush of blood from the wound and the fight was eventually stopped in Nakorn's favour. Cadden needed eight stitches in the cut and a further four stitches in another wound to the head.

But as he reflected on his world title tussle the York ace remained upbeat about his silver-medal winning display, which bettered his bronze achievement of two years earlier.

Said the Acomb-based fighter: "It was an absolutely fantastic experience. It was the last of four fights that I had during my time in Thailand.

"There was a crowd of between 3,500 and 4,000 in the main Bangkok arena for the world title contest and the bout was shown on prime-time national television with Thai boxing being the country's national sport."

Cadden, who fights out of the Bad Company gym in Leeds, added: "I was quite encouraged by my performance as I was doing well against Nagorn until I got caught by his elbow.

"Being the only Westerner in the training camp, which is far away from any of the tourist areas, and on the various bills was also quite an experience.

"It's all gone to putting me in good spirits for my return to action in England next month in Manchester."

Cadden certainly put in the miles during his trip to Thailand. His first bout was in the north of the country in Changmai, where he disposed of the reigning Iranian and Middle East champion on points. A promoter who was impressed by his all-action style invited him next to fight in Cambodia, where Cadden again prevailed on points.

On his return to Bangkok Cadden lost this third bout on points in a world championship series tournament, but he had done enough to earn a crack at world champion Nakorn.

Cadden's Manchester fight will be against French ace Samir Mohammed in February at 64-kilogramme.

Updated: 10:48 Saturday, January 08, 2005