NONGMOON CHOMPHUTHONG
INTERVIEW WITH NONGMOON CHOMPHUTHONG
by Serge TREFEU (2021)
Serge TREFEU: Hello Nongmoon, how are you?
NONGMOON: Well thank you
How old are you ?
I am 50 years old
Which region of Thailand do you come from?
I was born in Udonthani. My family home was at 12 Robmueang Road in Udon Thani
Do you have children?
Yes I’am married and have a child
You have brothers and sisters ?
We are four children in the family, three boys and a girl
How old did you start boxing?
I started boxing at 11 years and for my first fight I won the sum of 40 baht
YOUNG NONGMOON STARTED MUAY THAI VERY EARLY
How did you find out about boxing?
My father was a boxing lover, he was the one who taught me the basics of boxing
In which camp did you start your training?
I was training at home with my dad
How old were you in Bangkok?
Around the age of 14 years my father took me to the Chomphuthong Gym in Bangkok, a small camp which was in the Ladprao district
What champions were there in this camp?
There were only two Isaan champions (North East)
Have you always stayed in Chomphuthong camp?
No, then, in 1990, I went to the Sasiprapa Gym in the Bangkapi district
In which category you fought?
For my first fights in Thailand, I fought in the 100 lbs category, then in 120 lbs, in 130 lbs and in 135 lbs
At what age did you fight for the first time in a big stadium in Bangkok?
At 14 years, I fought in the stadium of Lumpinee and then in the stadium of Radja
How many fights you made in the stadium of Lumpinee?
I made 23 fights in the stadium of Lumpinee
And in Radja?
I only fought twice in Radja
What are the titles that you won?
I won the Lumpinee belt in 135 lbs in 1991 against Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, the world champion belt in 140 lbs against Dany Bill in 1992 in France. I won another world champion’s belt in 147 lbs also against a foreigner in Holland, I don’t remember his name and a belt in Macao
LUMPINEE CHAMPION AT 21 YEARS
WORLD CHAMPION AT 22 YEARS
NONGMOON WON HIS LAST BELT IN MACAO IN 2002
How many fights have you done in your career?
I made 171 fights for 150 wins, 19 losses and 2 draws
Have you won a lot of KO victories?
No not so much, I only won ten victories by knockout
What style of fighting did you have in the ring?
I was a Muay Khao, I had really good knees
What was your favorite technique in fight?
The knees of course!
Did you win good purses in Thailand?
Yes, I got 140,000 baht purses
Which famous fighters have you faced?
I met Namphon, Sakmongkol, Coban, Penthong, Chanchai, Den…
What was your hardest fight?
I think against Coban, also against Namphon it was difficult
Your best memory of fighting?
My Lumpinee belt, more, I beat Coban who was a great champion at the time!
Have you ever fought abroad?
Yes, in France, in Holland and in China. I came to make a second career in France
How long did you stay in France?
I stayed for about 7 years in France
What gym did you train at?
I trained and prepared for my fights in the gym of Dédé (Star Boxing in Paris, Gym of Désiré Thibault)
Were there other Thai champions in this gym with you?
Yes several, Youssop, Daris, Kitty, Lamkong, Anukhun, Lom Issan, Soudareth…
How much did you fight in Europe?
I did 15 fights
Do you remember the foreign fighters you faced?
I don’t really remember the names, Dany twice (1 victory, 1 defeat), Morad (Djebli), Biga (Tidiani Biga), I don’t remember the names…
Do you like France?
I love this country, I have a lot of good memories in France!
NONGMOON TOURIST IN PARIS AT THE EIFFEL TOWER
Did you become a coach after your career?
Yes, I opened a camp in Bangkok, besides French fighters came to train in my camp. The camp was called Por Chanachai, it was in the district of Bang Khen
Are you still a coach today?
Yes, now I am a coach in Abu Dabi in the United Arab Emirates
NONGMOON GIVES A LESSON TO PAOS IN A HIGH-TECH GYM IN ABU DABI
Are you a trainer with Dédé (Star Boxing Coach) and Farid Villaume (World Champion)?
Exactly, they’ve been friends for a long time
NONGMOON AND THE CHAMPION FARID VILLAUME HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A LONG TIME. NONGMOON WITH STAR KRONGSAK COACHED FARID VILLAUME FOR HIS 1998 IFMA AMATEUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN BANGKOK. FARID VILLAUME WON THE GOLD MEDAL
NONGMOON ENJOYS HIS NEW LIFE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WITH HIS FRIENDS FARID VILLAUME, DÉDÉ AND VALENTIN THIBAULT (WBC DIAMOND WORLD CHAMPION)
Thank you very much for the interview and I wish you chookdee for your future projects
Thank you so much
Nongmoon’s first fighter name was «Nuengnid Lookphosee» when he fought in his home region of Udon Thani, his father was then his coach and his manager.
Then he took the name «Nongmoon Chomphuthong» when he joined the Chomphuthong Gym in Bangkok. Then Nongmoon fought for the Sasiprapa Gym. A renowned camp that belonged to Lieutenant Colonel Chian Phongsupha Tiukem, the camp was in the district of Bangkapi. Sasiprapa Gym still exists, great champions have been trained in this camp like Saendej Sasiprapa Gym, Sresatchanalai Sasiprapa Gym, Nasuan Sasiprapa Gym, Rungravee Sasiprapa Gym, Malaipet Sasiprapa Gym.
NONGMOON WITH COLONEL CHIAN PHONGSUPHA (OWNER OF SASIPRAPA GYM)
Nongmoon had an atypical physique, he was tall with long legs, a perfect physique to control the techniques of knee strokes. Muay Thai fans have nicknamed him “Khun Khao Khao Lam” (The Sticky Rice Kneeling). Because he grabbed his opponents and never let them go, he was glued to his opponents, like sticky rice, and he sent his terrible knee strokes.
NONGMOON IN THAILAND SPECIALTY MAGAZINES
Nongmoon has made great matches in Thailand, he has faced boxing stars such as Sakmongkol Sitchuchok, Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, Den Muang Surin, Narongchai Thairungruang, Yodwitthaya Sityodtong, Namphon Nong Kee Pahuyut, Chanchai Sor Thamrangsee.
In 1988, Nongmoon defeated Panomkon Kieteedin on points and participated in a tournament in which he defeated, Sakmongkol Sitchuchok, Penthong Singkiree, Sinin Phetwihan and lost by KO to the Coban bull who won the tournament.
In 1990, Nongmoon had a wonderful boxing year. Because he has beaten big names such as Den Mueang Surin, Narongchai Thairungruang, Yodwitthaya Sityodtong and Penthong Singkiree!
NONGMOON BEAT PENTHONG (N° 1 OF LUMPINEE STADIUM)
The year 1991 was the consecration of his career with a Lumpinee title and victories against Petchsayam, Petchseenin and Sakmongkol.
On January 16, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he beat Petchsayam Kietisingnoi on points.
On February 5, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Nongmoon lost on points against the star Chanchai Sor Thamrangsee.
NONGMOON AGAINST STAR CHANCHAI (LUMPINEE CHAMPION IN 118 LBS AND 126 LBS, TV7 CHAMPION IN 135 LBS)
On April 30, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he beat the rough Petchseenin Petchweehan on points.
On May 29, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Nongmoon lost on points against the formidable Sakmongkol Sitchuchok.
On June 14, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he lost by points against the terrible Muay Bouk Namphon Nong Kee Pahuyut.
NONGMOON HAD A VERY HARD MATCH AGAINST STAR NAMPHON (LUMPINEE CHAMPION IN 112 LBS AND 126 LBS)
On July 16, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Nongmoon lost hard against the solid Kamsanya Thor Sittichai who beat him by KO in the first round.
On October 5, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Nongmoon fought again against Sakmongkol Sitchuchok and beat him on points!
SAKMONKOL (LUMPINEE CHAMPION IN 135 LBS, WMTC AND WPKL WORLD CHAMPION IN 160 LBS ) AND NONGMOON FACED EACH OTHER THREE TIMES WITH TWO WINS FOR NONGMOON AND ONE WIN FOR SAKMONGKOL
Nongmoon became the challenger for the title of champion of Lumpinee in 135 lbs. The defending champion was the terror of rings Coban Lookchaomaesaitong. Coban was a formidable puncher, he had conquered the Lumpinee belt in 1990 and beaten by KO great champions like Sornarin Wennakornpatom, Falannoy Kietanan, Barndon Sitbangprachan, Samransak Muangsurin (2 times) and Ramon Dekkers.
Coban used to do the show when he was in the ring, he would come dancing to country music wearing a cowboy hat and a cowboy belt with a holster. So, for his Lumpinee championship, Nongmoon challenged Coban in disguise as an American Indian, he got in the ring with an Apache Indian Headdress and two axes. The show was spectacular, the match was very close between the two fighters. In the final, the judges gave winner Nongmoon who won the Lumpinee belt in 135 lbs!
NONGMOON AGAINST COBAN FOR THE LUMPINEE BELT
Nongmoon then spent a second career in Europe, moving to France where he stayed for many years. The Thai champion trained in the famous gym of the 90s, the Star Boxing Gym. The Star Boxing was located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, it was led by the famous trainer of champions, Désiré Thibault, well known in the middle of the Muay Thai under the nickname of “Dédé”. In this famous gym, great Thai champions have trained such as Wattana Soudareth, Youssop Sor Thanikul, Daris Sor Thanikul, Kitty Sor Thanikul, Lom Issan Sor Thanikul, Lamkhong Sitwaywat, Anukun Sitwaywat, Changpuek Kiatsongrit and even the star Coban came warm your shins at Star Boxing. Also, the French champions Farid Villaume, Karim Saada, Djamel Yacouben represented the Star Boxing Gym for many years.
IN THE 90’S, THE STAR BOXING GYM WAS THE GYM IN FRANCE WITH THE LARGEST NUMBERS OF THAILAND CHAMPIONS TRAINING THERE
NONGMOON BEFORE A FIGHT IN FRANCE, THE LEGENDARY SAMART PAYAKAROON, HIS TRAINER DÉDÉ (DÉSIRÉ THIBAULT) AND THE MANAGER HADJ BETTAHAR, ARE BY HIS SIDE TO ENCOURAGE HIM
In 1992, in France, Nongmoon (21 years) defeated the young Franco-Cameroonian prodigy Dany Bill (19 years) for the title of WMTC world champion in 140 lbs. The two champions met in 1997. Dany Bill was then the reigning WMTC world champion in 147 lbs and had beaten stars such as Nokweed Davy, Den Muangsurin, Panomrunglek Sor Chiwat, Jo Prestia, Joel Cesar. The match counted for the title of world champion of Thai boxing, the clash took place in Gagny, at the Palais des Sports, on February 1, 1997. Nongmoon, him, had just beaten French champion Mourad Djebli (Thai Boxing World Champion, Thai European Boxing Champion), the Thai was confident for his revenge match. But Dany Bill made a sumptuous fight and opened the eyelid of Nongmoon with his elbows, the Thai lost by stopping the doctor in the fourth round.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN – 67 KG IN 1997 BETWEEN NONGMOON AND DANY BILL
In 1993, Nongmoon defeated Farouk Boudard (World Thai Boxing Champion, European Thai Boxing Champion), Van Hove (Kick Boxing World Champion) and Italian Michel Araldi (Kick Boxing World Champion).
On June 4, 1993, during the world championship between Krongsak Boranrat and Stéphane Nikiema, organized in Paris at the stadium of Coubertin, by the famous promoter Sami Kebchi, Nongmoon met another French big name, the formidable Joel Cesar (World Kick Boxing Champion, European Thai boxing champion). Joel Cesar was a warrior of the rings who always made destructive fights, he had faced twice in 1991 the terror of the moment the Dutch Ramon Dekkers (2 defeats), met the durable boxer Jo Prestia (Defeat) and made in 1992, in Thailand, a violent match against the bull Den Muangsurin where he had almost knocked out the Thai star (defeated by KO on a knee strike). Nongmoon won a magnificent victory against the French champion Joel Cesar!
On Saturday, November 8, 1997, at the Auguste Delaune Sports Palace in Saint-Denis, Nongmoon was challenged by the talented Tidiani Biga. The French champion had just won the belt of world champion WAKO by beating by KO the star of the rings Sukothai Taximeter (Radja champion). Nongmoon lost in points against Tidiani Biga.
NONGMOON HAS OFTEN BEEN ON A BIG SHOW IN FRANCE
Nongmoon also won a world champion’s belt in Holland and faced the formidable Dutch Rayen Simson in 1997 in Amsterdam and Jerry Morris in 1995, he lost on points to these two great champions.
NONGMOON AGAINST MIGHTY DUTCH CHAMPION RAYEN SIMSON
In the early 2000s, Nongmoon opened his own camp in Bangkok, the Por Chanachai Gym. A small camp that was located in the district of Bang Khen, a district near the big Chatuchak market (Week-End Market). Nongmoon had several good champions who represented his camp for several years, such as Mongkolchai Por Chanachai, Mongkolpetch Por Chanachai, Samingnum Por Chanachai, Kirimongkol Por Chanachai, Pongseree Por Chanachai and Prakaypetch Kieteejarunchai. French champions Farid Villaume, Karim Saada and Djamel Yacouben have often come to train at Por Chanachai Gym!
NONGMOON CHOMPHUTHONG
Birth name: Praphai Panyasiri
Nickname: Khun Khao Khao Lam (The Sticky Rice Kneeling)
Date of birth: November 9, 1970
City of birth: Udon Thani
Family address: 12 Robmueang Road in Udon Thani
Weight: 63-67 Kg
Height: 1m78
Number of fights: 171. 150 victories, 19 defeats, 2 draws
Title: Lumpinee champion in 135 lbs (1991), World champion in 140 lbs (1992), World champion in 147 lbs (1994)
Team: Sasiprapa Gym