Coke, Pepsi slug it out at Thai boxer's home

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Soft drinks giants Coke and Pepsi are slugging it out for supremacy outside the home of Thai Olympic boxing hopeful Worapoj Phetkum, who faces his first fight of the Beijing Games Friday, the Bangkok Post said.

PepsiCo's local distributor made the first move, erecting promotional tents at the police sergeant's home in the southern province of Surat Thani, where hundreds of people are expected to gather for his bout against Italy's Vittorio Parrinello.

Coca-Cola's Thai agents quickly countered, offering the boxer's father, Thaweep, a deal -- on condition the Pepsi tents were removed.

In a typically Thai compromise, both companies have been allowed to stay, providing they behave themselves.

"If they make problems, both will have to leave," Thaweep said.

Worapoj is one of Thailand's strongest Olympic medal hopes, having won silver in the bantamweight category in Athens four years ago.

(Reporting by Ed Cropley; Editing by Alan Raybould)