WANGCHANNOI SOR PALANGCHAI (Career 1980-1990)
Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai was born in Lopburi in the central region, a city well known for its many monkeys that live in the city.
His real name is Arporn Sophap, Arporn’s parents gave birth to four children, four boys of whom Wangchannoi was the youngest of the family. The youngest Arpon was the most nasty of brothers, at school he often fought. So, one of his big brothers who practiced boxing taught him the Art of Muay Thai to channel his ardor…
At the age of 10, he made his first fight under the control of his big brother who will be his trainer for several years.
The young Wangchannoi was quickly spotted by one of the biggest promoters of the moment, Songchai Ratanasuban, who brought him to the Bangkok region at the age of 15. The promoter Songchai takes him in his already well-stocked champion team. But Wangchannoi is an unstable boxer, he does not manage to stay long in a training boxing camp, during his long career, he will be a bit of a wanderer of the boxing camps by going first to the Dechrat camp, then at the famous Muangsurin camp, then at the Kietsingnoi and Sor Khet Talingchan camp and Sor Sirada Gym, he even went to the famous Kietbanchong camp, and he finally finished at the Sitchang camp!
Wangchannoi began to fight in the big stadiums of Bangkok in the category of 108 – 112 – 118 lbs where he won the Lumpinee belt in 108 lbs against the formidable Nampon Nong Kee Pahuyuth (1986). Then, he moved up the category to face the champions of – 122 lbs, it is in this category that Wangchannoi has beaten practically all the best champions of the moment. In 122 lbs, he won the Lumpinee belt against Panomtuanlek Ha Phalang (1988), this title he also won against Superlek Sorn-Esarn (1991), Chatchai Payseethong (1993) and Karuhat Sor Supawan (1994) !
Wangchannoi has carried out 300 fights in his career with 267 victories including more than 40 victories by KO, 30 defeats and 3 draws!
His hardest fight was against the living legend of the rings, Samart Payakaroon, a difficult fight for Wangchannoi because the superb tip (Front kick) of Samart hampered him a lot, moreover Wangchannoi was smaller than his opponent. But Wangchannoi succeeded in defeating King Samart who made his last fight on the Thai rings, May 10, 1989 in the stadium of Lumpinee!
Wangchannoi is one of the few boxers to beat star Samart Payakaroon. For his fight against “The Tiger”, Wangchannoi received a purse of 260,000 baht. Wangchannoi was one of the fighters who touched the biggest purses on the circuit in the 90’s!
Wangchannoi was a terror of the rings in the 90’s, this immense fighter had lightning in his fists. He was also very strong with his knees, his low kicks and his pokes, he was a complete boxer, an incredible puncher!
Wangchannoi was nicknamed “Wonderman” by Muay Thai aficionados. But Muay Thai fans in Thailand had especially nicknamed him “Aymat 33 Wee” (The lightning punch in 33 seconds). Because Wangchannoi has “turned off the light” to many of his opponents, and this nickname was given to him after his memorable fight against the legendary Namkabuan Nong Kee Pahuyuth. Wangchannoi had defeated Namkabuan in the 1st round in 33 seconds with a terrible left uppercut to the jaw!
The two champions met for the revenge and after a fierce fight Wangchannoi again beat Namkabuan but on points…
Wangchannoi always made violent fights, the bettors loved his powerful and go-getter style, Wangchannoi made a lot of fights with important dumpans like against the great champion Oley Kiatoneway where the dumpan in play was one million baht, dumpan won by the Wangchannoi team!
In 1993 Wangchannoi was voted “Best Boxer of the Year” by “The Sport Writers Association of Thailand”!
Wangchannoi has beaten a large number of ring stars such as Samart Payakaroon, Jirapong Sitkorayuth, Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Chatchai Payseethong, Charoensap Kietbangchong, Keansak Sor Ploenchit, Namtuanlek Ha Phalang, Karuhat Sor Supawan, Superlek Sorn Esarn, Oley Kiatoneway, Samransak Muengsurin, Cherry Sor Waniche (KO), Matee Jedeepitak, Langsuan Phanyutthapum, Chamophet Ha Phalang, Nampon Nong Kee Pahuyuth and Namkabuan Nong Kee Pahuyuth (KO) !
Wangchannoi also made a second career in Europe where he defeated boxers such as English champions Damien Trainor (TKO), French champions Christophe Leveque (TKO) and Djamel Yacouben!
Today, Wangchannoi has become a renowned coach. He also opened a butcher’s shop with his wife in the North East region in Maha Sarakham, a town in which he now lives.
BY SERGE TREFEU