Thailand's Samson Sor Siriporn captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) women's light-flyweight crown with a unanimous points victory over Ayako Miyano of Japan at Bangkok's Klong Prem prison late Wednesday, becoming the first Thai prisoner to win the WBC title.

"I'm really glad," Samson said after her victory in front of a large crowd which included fellow prisoners.

The Corrections Department has given me support. If I was not here in the prison, I might be a drug addict," she was quoted by Wednesday's Bangkok Post as saying.

Samson, who hails from central Thailand, is an orphan and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for being involved in drugs. She has two years left on her sentence.

Natheee Chitsawang, director-general of the Corrections Department, said the new WBC champion could be granted early parole so that she could defend the title in overseas fights.

He said that this victory would also inspire the other inmates, also serving sentences for dealing with drugs, to change their lives.

"They will be inspired to make good through boxing instead of going back to crime," he said.

Samson started boxing in 2005 and bid for the WBC straw weight title against Japan's Nanako Kikuchi in 2006 and lost.

But during Tuesday's match, having gone up in weight from the 105-pound straw weight division, she fought in the 108-pound light-flyweight class and displayed tremendous composure and confidence as she went into the winning action against Miyano.

All inmates from Klong Prem prison witnessed the action on television and special arrangements were made for some to come out to cheer Samson.

Editor: Donald