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August 4 - Boxer Worapoj Petchkoom (pictured), one of Thailand's main hopes for a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, faces a year's ban after he appeared in his underwear in a gay magazine, he has been warned.

 

 

Officials from the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand (ABAT) have claimed that the appearance in the Stage of the 2004 Athens Olympic silver medallist is "inappropriate".

 

 

General Thaweep Jantharoj, the President of the ABAT, said: "We will question him.

 

"After we listen to him, we will mete out punishment."

 

Petchkoom, 28, claims he did not know that he was posing for a gay magazine.

 

He said: "I thought it was an honour to be invited to grace the cover of a magazine on its third anniversary.

 

"I became sceptical when I was told to wear just underpants.

 

"They said everything was going to be okay because it would show my abdomen muscles."

 

Petchkoom claimed that he wanted to quit the photo shoot but was told that he could not.

 

He said: "The [magazine] team said I would have to pay compensation."

 

altPetchkoom was paid Bt15,000 (£260) for the job.

 

The fighter is one of Thailand's most popular and best known sportsmen who carried his country's flag (pictured) during the Opening Ceremony at the Olympics in Beijing last year.

 

Following his silver medal win at the Olympic Games five years ago when he was beaten in the final of the bantamweight by Cuba's Guillermo Rigondeaux, he reaped more than Bt10 million (£17,000) in rewards.

 

He said: "I am not in financial trouble at all.

 

"My gold rewards are kept in safety boxes.

 

"I still have the money, motorcycle and car given to me."

 

Petchkoom added that he is running a resort in Surat Thani, too.

 

In Beijing he was beaten in the quarter-final by Cuba's Yankiel Leon.

 

He hopes to return in London 2012 but claimed that his chances could be compromised if he is suspended over the incident.

 

Petchkoom said: "If I am banned from boxing for one year, I may have to give up my hope of competing in the 2012 Olympics."

 

Petchkoom denied that he posed on the cover of the magazine because he is gay.

 

He said: "No.

 

"I have a girlfriend.

 

"I regret what happened and would like to apologise to boxing fans.

 

"It is one of those life lessons – next time I shall have to be more careful."