Cross-interview with the ARAYA brothers (Spain)
Cross-interview with the ARAYA brothers
by Serge TREFEU (2022)
Serge TREFEU: Hello Isaac and Carlos, how are you?
ISAAC ARAYA: I am very well and very happy for this interview with Siam Fight Mag, since I have been following this website for a long time and for me Serge you are an inspiration to me and a true connoisseur of this sport
CARLOS ARAYA: Hello I’m fine. I prepare the world tittle WBC of my brother which will take place on february 5 and the european WBC tittle of me on february 26 in Italy
How old are you ?
ISAAC: I am 35 years old, but I feel very young, very well physically and with a lot of desire
CARLOS: I’m 31 years old
In which region of Spain did you grow up?
We are on Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Did you play other sports before boxing?
ISAAC: Yes, I played soccer when I was little until I was 16 years old, I also did Judo 2 years, Boxing 1 year and Kick Boxing 1 year before starting Muay Thai
CARLOS: I play soccer until was 12 years old and then I did a year of boxing until I got a thai boxing school at 14 years old
As a kid, were you a bit of a brawler or not at all?
ISAAC: As a child I was very brawler, I was little and they always wanted to abuse me. But I was an earthquake and I hit everyone (Laugh)
CARLOS: No, I have always been a very calm child at school and in life
How did you discover Muay Thai?
ISAAC: I went to an event when I was doing Kick Boxing, in that event my trainer Javier Rodríguez “Kuki” fought Muay Thai, until that moment I had never seen a Muay Thai fight. Javier was very aggressive and afterwards he only thought to train in his gym, that was 2007
CARLOS: I discovered Muay Thai through my brother he was the one who started me in this sport
What made you like this sport?
ISAAC: In principle the technique, the aggressiveness and that the 8 weapons could be used, then I began to see the culture of the sport
CARLOS: The respect and discipline of this sport and all the technique that it, has I always liked individual sports a lot
In which gym did you start your training?
ISAAC: It was called Shoothon Gym and the coaches were the brothers Javier and David Rodríguez, great connoisseurs of the sport
CARLOS: The name of my first gym are Shoothon Gym by Rodríguez brothers
Were there a lot of Muay Thai gyms in your district?
ISAAC: Not a lot
CARLOS: Not at that time there were very few gyms that practiced this sport
How old were you when you fought your first fight?
ISAAC: I was 21 years old
CARLOS: My first fight was in 2005 at an event where Ramon Dekker´s boys came and I had pleasure of meeting him
Did any champions inspire you at the beginning of your boxing career?
ISAAC: There are several, as I said the first was Javier Rodríguez “Kuki”. Then my idol has always been the main Attachai and Saenchai is number 1 for me, I really like to learn from him, there are many fighters that I like
CARLOS: Yes of course many fighters like Bovy Sor Udomson, Attachai Fairtex and Saenchai also Somrak Sor Khamsing
Is Muay Thai well developed in Spain? Are there often Muay Thai events that are organized?
ISAAC: Sports institutions in Spain do not give much for our sport, sports policy does not help us much either. But there are fans and very good professional fighters, little by little it is increasing there are quite a few Muay Thai events in Spain. But most gyms do not have the culture of Muay Thai as they come from Kick Boxing…
CARLOS: Now there are many Muay Thai events are organized in spain. But there is not a good organization of the sistem in this country. The federations fight among themselves and they are not all going in the same direction to make this sport grow there are many interests
What was the first major title you won?
ISAAC: The first title and very important to me is a World Sub-champion cup, which I won in Thailand in the 8-man tournament Nai Khanon Tom from Ayuttaya in 2014. It was very hard because I fought against a fighter from Mongolia on the first day and I won by KO In the first Round. Then, the next day I fought against a fighter from France and I also won by KO in the second Round. Two days later, I fought the final against a Thai man and I lost by very little, my feet were very swollen. But it was an incredible experience, my rival was called Phathipat Phamkumtod and after the match he told me that he had about 500 matches (Laugh). I won a purse of 20,000 bths…
CARLOS: My first important title that I won was the european WMC in 2016 played in Italy
How many fights did you fight?
ISAAC: I have in total 50 Fights, 41 Win (18 K.O.), 9 Lose
43 professional fights
CARLOS: I did 67 fights for 53 wins and 14 losses
In which category do you fight?
ISAAC: Under 58 Kg 900 A Class
CARLOS: I fight 61 Kg 200 to 63 Kg 500
What titles have you won?
ISAAC: I won a belt Champion of Spain WMC against Miguel Ángel Sierra. I defended successfully that title of Spain WMC against David Mederos in 2017.
In 2019, I won the 4 Man tournament CFN, I defeat José León from Spain and Hamza Tanja from Morocco. I also won in 2019 the European WBC tittle against Wade Sword from United Kingdom.
In 2021 I won International WBC tittle against Trece Thomson from United Kingdom
CARLOS: I win in 2013 Spanish semi-professional tittle, European Pro Champion HDH 2014, world Pro champion Nai Khanomtom 2015 in Thailand, European champion WMC in 2016 and champion of spain FEKM in 2019
In what year did you go to Thailand for the first time?
ISAAC: I go to Thailand first time in 2011
CARLOS: I go my first time to Thailand with my brother in 2011
Which camp were you training in Thailand?
ISAAC: I trained in 2011 for a month in the Sakchaichote gym with Superbank, Lamnamoon, Singsuriya and Lamnamoonlek this one was about 10 years old, the trainer was Pi Duang.
Then, in 2012 the boxers of the Sakchaichote trained in Tedded 99 Gym and we went there for another month, in 2013 I tried to train again with them but he had gone to another gym far from Bangkok. I went but it was a very bad area and I decided to go with a friend to the Sor Klinmee gym in Pattaya. I stayed for 6 months and made my first two fights. In 2013, I fought against Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon. After the fight, I spoke with him for a while, there was where I met the Jitmuangnon Gym. Since, every year, it has been my gym, combined with Jun Muay Thai Gym from Samui where they treat me very well when I go on vacation.
In total and been 10 times to Thailand since 2011 with almost 3 years of my life there. I LOVE Thailand!
CARLOS: I have been 7 times to Thailand and my favourite gym is Jitmuangnon Gym
Did you sleep in the camp or had you rented a room?
ISAAC: I slept in the camp for many months the first times I was in Thailand. But the last times I was in my room near the gym
CARLOS: I slept in the camp only once. But I was going to train every day, morning and evening
What techniques have you perfected or better discovered in boxing camps in Thailand?
ISAAC: Especially the way of training, I am faithful to the Thai style, so many days training with champions you become a professional. Above all I like to watch the champions of Thailand as they hit the pads, the bag and train with them clinch
CARLOS: My favourite techniques are the kick and the knees including the chapko (Clinch)
How many fights did you do in Thailand?
ISAAC: I have 10 fights in Thailand
CARLOS: I did 5 fights in Thailand but I fought against 7 thai fighters. Because I fought in Spain against Lampard Sor Khamsing, I won and in Hong Kong against Manachai in 65 Kg (Laughs), it was crazy because his weight was not very high…
Did you fight in a big stadium of Bangkok?
ISAAC: I try every time but never have the opportunity. Fight in Radja my dream…
CARLOS: I only fought in small stadiums even if it would be a dream to fight in a big stadium in Bangkok
Which known Thai fighters have you faced?
ISAAC: The Best and more famous Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon, also others Kaewta Banchamek, Phet Ek Sitjaopho, Wanheng Meenayothin, Phathipat Phamkumtod…
CARLOS: My first fight in Thailand was in 2011 against Rittijak Sor Sumalee at MBK Center and I lost on points. My second fight in 2012 at Theprasit Stadium in Pattaya against a Thai whose name I no longer remember. But he had experience. I won. The third fight was against Phetpanom Meenayothin in Ayuttaya, I won this world championship during the Nai Khanon Tom festival. The fourth fight was against Sensatarn, a Muay Thai star at Super Muay Thai on Thai TV, I won. Fifth fight was against Lampard Sor Khamsing in Spain and I won. My sixth fight I faced Manachai in Yokkao in Hong Kong, I lost. The seventh fight was against Yodjatphet in a Tournament at Phetbuncha Stadium in Koh Samui and I lost…
Do you have a story to tell us about how you arrived in Thailand?
ISAAC: I have many stories in Thailand its so many years. But if I have to remember some one, I remember the morning races in Jitmuangnon at 5:00 am, nobody spoke, just run 2 Km 30% and then 10 Km to 80%, the first days you want to die, then the body gets used to it (Laugh)
CARLOS: An anecdote for me which was very important, during my first fight in Thailand, I had the pleasure of having in my corner the legendary Superbank Sakchaichote
Who are your favorite Thai fighters?
ISAAC: Attachai, Saenchai, Bovy Sor Udomson, Panpayak, Superbank, Rodtang, Petchmorakot, Nong O…
CARLOS: Saenchai has always been my favorite fighter
Do you often fight abroad?
ISAAC: My last 4 or 5 years, I’ve only done international fights
CARLOS: I always fight abroad I don’t remember my last fight in my country
Have you ever fought in France?
ISAAC: Never but I want. I fight to much in the United Kingdom
CARLOS: Yes I have fought several times in France, the last one was in December 2021
Do you know French fighters?
ISAAC: Yes I like so much Fabio Pinca, Rafi Singpatong, Damien Alamos, Elías Mahmoudi and Ayoub El Khaidar
CARLOS: I know many fighters and for me the most important are Damien Alamos and Rafi Bohic
What technique do you like the most in fight?
ISAAC: I like so much clinch and sweets my styles are forward hurting the opponent
CARLOS: I like kicks and knees I consider myself a smart fighter
What was your hardest fight in your career?
ISAAC: My hardest fight was in 2015 against Pretek Sitjaopho and it was the more hardest because he was very technical and blocked everything. In the 4th round, my legs hurt with every kick he gave and he kicked my ribs very hard!
CARLOS: My toughest fight was against Lampard Sor Khamsing was in spain in 2017
Your best memory of boxing?
ISAAC: When I won the International WBC tittle in Barcelona in 2021 and when I fought the final of The Nai Khanon Tournament in Ayuttaya in 2014
CARLOS: My best moment was the victory of each title, I think that is the sport’s way of thanking every effort on a day to day
And the worst memory?
ISAAC: When I lose the final of The Nai Khanon Tournament in Ayuttaya in 2014 too since, I wanted to win…
CARLOS: Every defeat is bad when you have a winning spirit, every defeat is the same for my spirit. Maybe the worst was the only knockout I had, it was for a Spanish WBC title…
Is there any particular opponent you’d like to face?
ISAAC: Jonathan Haggerty champion of ONE Championship
CARLOS: I fight with those who are put on me. But if there is one that would be a pride and an honor to meet it would be Saenchai. But now I want to fight fighters that’s WBC rated
What gym are you training at today?
ISAAC: In Muay Pam Gym Tenerife to Spain
CARLOS: Now we have our own gym it`s called Muay Pam Gym
Can you make a living thanks to boxing?
ISAAC: I do not have a job, I have only dedicated myself to sports for 11 years, I have a business in which my wife works 3 days a week and with my sports income we live well
CARLOS: Unfortunately I can`t make a living boxing so I help my mother in our business
What are your objectives for this year?
ISAAC: Win in February WBC World tittle, in March INTERNATIONAL WMO tittle and fight to Radjadamnern Stadium!
CARLOS: I like to go step by step, first we will try to conquer the European WBC title on february 26 and the what comes, will be come
Do you want to add something?
ISAAC: No thanks only Thank you to Siam Fight Mag for the opportunity
CARLOS: Well, I love this sport and I hope it will be in my life for many more years
Thank you Isaac and Carlos for this interview and Chookde to you!
Isaac and Carlos are two ring warriors who have been fighting all over the world for the past ten years. These two brothers often travelled together to fulfill their passion for Muay Thai.
They trained in Thailand in the country’s most renowned camps such as the Sakchaichote Gym (Best Camp of the Year 2010), the Tedeed 99 and the famous Jitmuangnon Gym (Best Camp of the Year 2019) which is one of the hardest training camps for professional boxers.
Isaac has faced great Thai champions such as Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon (Omnoi Champion in 135 lbs in 2018, Lumpinee Champion in 130 lbs in 2016, Best Boxer of the Year 2019), Phet Ek Sitjaopho (Lumpinee Champion, Omnoi Champion, Best Lumpinee Stadium Boxer in 2002), Wanheng Meenayothin (Lumpinee Champion in 105 lbs, Thailand Champion in 105 lbs, WBC World Champion in English Boxing) and Kaewta Banchamek (Super Muay Thai Tournament Winner)!
The year 2022 starts well for the Spanish champion. On February 5, he will fight for the WBC world title in – 58 Kg 900. At home, in Tenerife, he will meet, for the vacant WBC belt, the Italian champion Carmelo Ragona (WBC International Champion).
Then, on March 19, in England, in Liverpool, Isaac Araya will face the solid English champion Jacob Smith for the WMO International title.
In 2015, in Thailand, Carlos Araya won a world title, beating a formidable Thai fighter, Phetpanom Meenayothin. The match was made during the famous Nai Khanom Tom tournament which takes place every year in Ayutthaya. The hero Nai Khanom Tom is the most famous Muay Thai warrior of the Ayutthaya period, a party in his honor takes place, every year, on March 17, in the city of Ayutthaya.
Carlos Araya beat Italy’s Marco Di Virgilio in 2016 for the title of WMC European Champion in -61 Kg.
In 2021, at the Show La Belle Équipe, in Paris, Carlos Araya had a great match against the reigning WMC European champion, the French Mathieu Guevara (WMO World Champion). The fight ended in a draw between his two powerful boxers.
Carlos Araya has faced Thai champions like Manachai P.K Saenchai (WBC World Champion, WMO World Champion), Sensatarn Sor Suradej (Lumpinee Champion, Thailand Champion, WMC World Champion) and bull Lampard Sor Kamsing.
On February 26, in Italy, Carlos Araya will face the Italian champion Luca Falco (Italian Champion, Intercontinental WMC champion) for the vacant title of WBC European champion in – 63 Kg 500!
ISAAC ARAYA
Nickname of a fighter: The Danger
Weight: 58 Kg 900
Height: 1m70
Number of fights: 50. 41 Win (18 K.O.), 9 Losses
Title: Spanish WMC champion (2015), Spanish WMC champion (2017), 4 man Tournament CFN champion (2019), European WBC champion (2019), International WBC champion (2021)
Team: Muay Pam Gym Tenerife
CARLOS ARAYA
Nickname of a fighter: The Hunter
Weight: 63 Kg
Height: 1m73
Number of fights: 67. 53 Wins. 14 Losses
Title: Spanish semi-professional champion (2013), European Pro Champion HDH (2014), World Pro champion Nai Khanomtom (2015), European champion WMC (2016), champion of Spain FEKM (2019)
Team: Muay Pam Gym Tenerife