Games-Boxing-S.E. Asia minnow mixes it with big fish  

   BANGKOK, Dec 11 (Reuters) - There are only five million 
of them in the hills between Thailand, Burma, Vietnam and 
China and their country is one of the poorest on earth.
   But the boxers from Laos are putting up a brave show at 
the Asian Games.
   They are being helped by generous support from Thai 
crowds who have been giving them rousing cheers when they 
step into the ring and cry "Lao, Lao" to spur them on.
   Thais from the populous northeastern province of Isaan 
bordering Laos have an affinity with the Lao built up over 
centuries and many speak the language.
   However, the Lao fighters have had a difficult time 
mixing it with boxers from the likes of Uzbekistan, 
Thailand and South Korea who travel to boxing tournaments 
around the world and enjoy support networks which include 
video dossiers on all opponents.
   The Cuban coach of the Lao team, Ponciano Romero Ruiz, 
has been in the job only seven months and had a squad of 
only seven boxers from which to choose six to take to the 
Asian Games.
    "It is very difficult for them as they have not had 
much experience and they are fighting very good boxers," he 
said.
    "They are doing very well since this is a learning 
experience for them. Maybe in four years time, if the 
boxing programme continues to receive encouragement, they 
will do well at the next Asian Games."
   Ruiz said the Lao government was committed to making 
something of its boxing team and he has a four-year 
contract.
   Despite the difficulties they face two, of the six 
boxers made it into the quarter-finals.
    Uthen Chanthavong lost a points decision in the 
quarter-finals of the light-flyweight division to 
Xiangzhong Yang of China on Thursday night but Vilaseck 
Khouandy is still to face Noribisa Tomimoto of Japan in the 
featherweight quarter-finals on Sunday.
   "He has a chance because he is well-matched with the 
Japanese and he is fighting very well," Ruiz said.
   It is the 21-year-old's first international competition, 
but the Thais waiting for home-town boy Komgrit Nanakon to 
fight in the light-middleweight division will be ready to 
lend some neighbourly support.