LUMPINEE CHAMPION SKS EMPIRE SHOW
LUMPINEE CHAMPION SKS EMPIRE SHOW
DECEMBER 8, 2024 LUMPINEE STADIUM
special report by Serge TREFEU
On December 8, 2024, at the famous Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok, the boss of the famous boxing equipment brand SKS, Romain Rossi, is organizing an exceptional event in one of the largest temples of Muay Thai.
Romain Rossi had already orchestrated notable promotions, notably at the Rajadamnern stadium, the other major stadium in the Thai capital, in collaboration with important local promoters, such as the legendary Chun Kietpetch and his son Deer Kietpetch.
But this time, on December 8, Romain Rossi is making a big splash by organizing a spectacular evening with three Lumpinee belts at stake!
It has been almost five years since the Lumpinee stadium last hosted a fight for the emblematic title of its championship.
Indeed, during the Covid period, matches in the big stadiums of Bangkok were rare. Subsequently, the ONE organization established itself strongly in Lumpinee, somewhat relegating the traditional matches that were regularly held there.
For several years, there was no official ranking of Lumpinee fighters, unlike other major stadiums in Bangkok such as Rajadamnern, TV7 or Omnoi, which continued to organize championships for their own belts.
The Lumpinee stadium officials thus decided to reintroduce an official ranking, with fights to designate the contenders for the supreme titles of this legendary stadium.
The rankings start over, and to inaugurate this new era of Lumpinee champions, it is the French promoter Romain Rossi who has the honor of organizing this first event with stadium belts at stake.
Few foreigners have had the opportunity to organize Lumpinee title fights. The first to do so was the famous French promoter Sami Kebchi, who, in 1999, organized two Lumpinee title matches in collaboration with the number one promoter at the time, Mr. Songchai Ratanasuban.
It was a memorable evening, where the French Mourad Sari and Stéphane Nikiéma had faced Thais for these titles, with the historic victory of Mourad Sari. He thus became the first foreigner to conquer this prestigious title!
Only the Dutch legend Ramon Dekkers had the honor, in 1990, of competing in a championship for the Lumpinee title. He had faced the Thai Issara Sakreerin for the 140 lbs belt, but had lost on points.
After Sami Kebchi, other foreign organizers have also managed to organize fights for Lumpinee titles. Among them, Denis-Marie Cintura, president of the FFSCDA federation, organized a notable event in 2010.
That evening saw Farid Villaume face Saiyok Pumpanmuang for the 154 lbs belt, with a victory for Saiyok. On the same evening, Kamel Jemel had also fought Kongfah Auddomuang for the 140 lbs belt, but had also lost.
The same year, Abdallah Mabel met Saiyok in France for the Lumpinee title and the Thai retained his belt.
Japanese promoters have also organized, in collaboration with Thai promoters, fights for Lumpinee belts. In 2014, in Japan, Kunitaka Fujiwara faced Dechsakda Sitsongpeenong for the 122 lbs belt, but lost to the Thai.
In 2015, also in Japan, Ito Nakatake challenged Nutaphon Nachuakvitayakom for the same title, but Nutaphon retained his belt. On April 19, 2015, in a rematch, Ito Nakatake failed to get his revenge, and Nutaphon once again successfully defended his title.
In 2018, at the famous Korakuen Hall in Japan, Kulapdam Sor Jor Piak Uthai faced Japanese champion Genji Umeno (former Radja champion in 2016) for the Lumpinee 135 lbs belt. Kulapdam won on points.
In 2019, Nadaka Ewasportgym challenged Singdam K.T. Gym for the Lumpinee 105 lbs title in Japan. This time, Nadaka triumphed, becoming the Lumpinee champion and making history for Japanese fighters.
In 2018, French promoters Jean-Charles Skarbowsky and Hakim Didda of Best Of Siam show made Muay Thai history by organizing a grandiose event at the Lumpinee stadium. For the first time, a Lumpinee belt was put into play between two foreigners, both great French champions.
The defending champion, Rafi Bohic, faced Dylan Salvador in a spectacular fight for the Lumpinee belt in 147 lbs. After an intense fight, Rafi Bohic managed to retain his belt by defeating Dylan Salvador by KO.
On April 30, 2019, French promoter Djamel Yacouben organized a big event at the Lumpinee stadium. During this show, French champion Jimmy Vienot faced Thalaithong Sor Thanaphet (Lumpinee Champion, TV7 Champion, and Thailand Champion), for the Lumpinee title in 160 lbs. Jimmy Vienot won against the Thai, becoming the sixth foreigner in the world to win the prestigious Lumpinee belt!
The show scheduled for December 8th is just as exceptional, as it will feature no less than three Lumpinee titles in play during the same evening!
Thai Khiaophet Kiatpraison, 22 years old and a small star of the Thai Fight organization, crowned Thai Fight champion in -61 kg in 2023, will face the formidable fighter of ONE Championship, the Burmese Sulaiman Looksuan (21 years old), nicknamed “Roti Boy”, for the Lumpinee title in 134 lbs. This fight will be historic, because it is the first time that a fighter from Burma will compete for a title in one of the big stadiums of Bangkok!
The formidable Rambo Mor Ratanabandit (34 years old), multiple champion (Radja Champion, TV7 Champion, Thailand Champion, IFMA World Champion), and most recently crowned LWC World Champion in September 2024, will cross gloves with the Frenchman Frederric Looksuan (25 years old) for the Lumpinee title in 150 lbs.
Frederric Looksuan, aka Brice Delval (S1 World Champion in -62 Kg in 2016 and ONE fighter) from the renowned Mahmoudi Gym, is making a comeback in the ring after three years of stopping the rings, during which he only fought two times. Now competing in the 70 Kg category, he will challenge the Thai on his home turf.
Will he become the fifth Frenchman to win this renowned title after Morad Sari, Damien Alamos, Rafi Bohic, and Jimmy Vienot? An evening full of suspense in store!
The solid Khomphikhat Sor Tawanrung (27 years old), already crowned Lumpinee Champion and ENA World Champion, will defend his title for the first time in 168 lbs, which he has officially held since 2017. He will face the Australian Hugo O’Donnell (27 years old), Australian Champion. Based in Thailand, Hugo trains at the famous Sinbi Muay Thai camp in Phuket.
This fight will also mark a historic milestone, as Hugo O’Donnell will be the first Australian in history to compete for a Lumpinee title. Even legendary figures of Australian boxing in Thailand, such as John Wayne Parr, Chadd Collins, or Toby Smith, have never had this opportunity. Will Hugo O’Donnell succeed in becoming the first Australian Lumpinee champion?
The SKS Empire Lumpinee show will also offer an exceptional line-up with quality fights. Among the foreign fighters, we will find:
Alex Jitmuangnon (Thailand Champion), Alfie Sor Dechapan (SKS World Champion), Joseph Jitmuangnon (IFMA World Champion).
On the Thai side, spectators will have the pleasure of seeing:
Khunhanlek Kiatcharoenchai (TV7 Champion), and Pentor Paenminburi.
A promising evening where Full Muay Thai and international exploits will mingle in the legendary Lumpinee stadium!
