PHUKET Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong gets into the ring later this month in a benefit for regional flood-hit police. There's only one slight problem - his opponent is Kosai Galaxy, perhaps Thailand's most ferocious boxer.

Will Commander Pekad dodge and weave like Ali, or come out with blockbuster punches, like Mike Tyson? We can't wait to find out.

He will need something special . . . Khaosai defended his WBA world title 19 times in seven years (1984-1991), winning 16 of his title fights by knockouts.

He is listed at number19 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

The night of boxing bouts from 7pm on May 24 is in aid of policemen in Krabi and other southern provinces who were affected by the floods. Some officers lost homes or family businesses.

Tcikets have gone on sale for 1000 baht but a few should still be available on the night at the Saphan Hin gymnasium in Phuket City. In one of the preliminaries, an Aussie slugs it out with a Swede.

Commander Pekad? Well, unless he enters the ring with a riot shield and a very long baton, our money's on Khaosai - if only betting on bouts was legal.