DENNEUA DENMOLEE (Career 1980-1990)
DENNEUA DENMOLEE
« THE TECHNICIAN »
Denneua Denmolee, whose real name was « Den Wandueng », was born on 17 September 1965 in the village of Tha San Sao near the town of Maetha in the province of Lamphun. Lamphun is located 50 km from Chiangmai, the capital of the northern region of Thailand.
Den is the eighth child of the nine-child Wandueng family. Born into a poor family, Den Wandueng moved to Bangkok at a young age to look for work. In 1980, at the age of 15, he found a job as an employee at the Chao Phraya Boxing Stadium, a small stadium in the Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok.
At Chao Phraya Boxing Stadium, Den met the famous Boxing promoter Mr. Suchart Kerdmek. Mr. Suchart Kerdmek, nicknamed “Pei Poster”, was a businessman who owned the country’s largest company producing Thai film posters and advertising posters.
Pei Poster has been the promoter of Noble Art ring legends such as Khaosai Galaxy (WBA World Champion), Sod Chitralada (WBC World Champion), Samart Payakaroon (WBC World Champion), Rattanaphon Sor Worapin (IBF World Champion) and Somsak Singchatchawan (WBA World Champion).
Pei Poster integrated the young Den into the Phitsanurachan Gym camp, the camp of the famous champion Padejsuk Phitsanurachan. The camp was in the same neighborhood as the Chao Phraya Boxing Stadium. The Phitsanurachan Gym was owned by Mr. Thaweesak Phuthong.
Den Wandueng started his boxing career for the Phitsanurachan Gym. He made his first fights at 16 under the name of “Denneua Phitsanurachan”.
Then he fought for Sor Tassanee Gym. The Sor Tassanee Gym belonged to Ms. Jay Tassanee, the camp was in the Chomthong district at Soi Wat Sai.
This camp produced great champions, the best known is Phayanoi Sor Tassanee who was three times champion of Lumpinee and champion of Radja. There were also, Hao Dong Sor Tassanee, Nonglkek Sor Tassanee and Santee Sor Tassanee.
Den changed his fighter name and got himself nominated “Denneua Denmolee”. Denneua means “Northern Region Den (Neua)” and Denmolee refers to Mr. Manit Moleechat. Mr. Moleechat was the editor of the Daily News and sponsored the Sor Tassanee camp.
Denneua, nicknamed «Jom Fimeuu Jaak Lamphun» (The Lamphun technician), was a very technically strong and extremely skilled fighter in the ring. At his peak, he was known as one of the best champions of the northern region. In the 80s and 90s, the two greatest champions from this region of Thailand were Langsuan Phanyuthaphum (Best Boxer of the Year 1987) and Denneua Denmolee.
Denneua won three belts of the great stadiums of Bangkok, he was champion of the stadium of Lumpinee in 105 lbs, champion of the stadium of Radja in 112 lbs and champion of the stadium of Radja in 115 lbs.
Denneua had 85 fights for 50 wins, 31 losses and 4 draws.
Denneua started Muay Thai quite late. But this wonder boy quickly obtained good results, in 1982 and 1983, he beat good fighters like Ratna Tanarungrueng, Thoraseenoi Onrapa, Vichanoi Kiatsen, Lakchai Sor Sumalee, Lamranou Lukrangsee, Sakchai Sor Petchtae, Tangchanoi Por Lamutran.
Denneua won his first belt when she was only 18 year. On June 29, 1984, at the Lumpinee Stadium, he defeated Sitthichai Monsongkram for the Lumpinee title in – 47 Kg.
On March 9, 1984, Denneua defeated Rodet Dejdonchimplee, and three weeks later, on March 30, he defeated the great champion Panomtuanlek Ha Phalang (Best boxer of the year 1986, Lumpinee champion in 122 lbs, Radja champion in 115 lbs and 118 lbs).
In April, at the Lumpinee stadium, he beat Mahavet Kiattisakthewan.
On May 25, he defeated Sitthichai Monsongkram. A nice revenge for Denneua because Sitthichai had beaten him in points in January at the Ratchadamnoen stadium. The two fighters found themselves, on June 29, for the title of the Lumpinee in 105 lbs. Sitthichai defended his belt. Four months earlier, on March 30, Sitthichai had beaten Pongdet Chomphuthong for the Lumpinee title in 105 lbs. Denneua took his title!
On July 31, Denneua met the legendary champion Bunkerd Fairtex (Radja champion in 105 lbs in 1983, Lumpinee champion in 112 lbs in 1986) and beat him on points.
In August, Denneua won against Danthaï Kiatsuriya.
On October 8, Denneua (18 year) faced another ringing legend, Burlek Pinsinchai (17 year). Burlek was the rising star of the moment, he was Lumpinee champion in 112 lbs in 1986 and 1987. He also won the Thailand championship in 1983 and 1984. Denneua had a wonderful fight and he beat on points Burlek!
On 30 November, Denneua lost to Paruhatlek Sit Chunthong. Paruhatlek (Lumpinee champion 102 lbs, 104 lbs, 108 lbs and 112 lbs) was a great champion who was nicknamed “Gentleman of the ring”. Denneua took his revenge by beating Paruhatlek the following year, on 28 January.
On 18 December, at the Lumpinee stadium, promoter Songchai Ratanasuban organised a confrontation between the reigning Lumpinee champion in 105 lbs and the reigning Radja champion in 105 lbs. Denneua Denmolee against Chakphetnoi Sor Ploenchit. Denneua had the belt of the Lumpinee and Chakphetnoi the belt of the Radja. The two champions fought a big fight that ended in a draw.
In 1985, Denneua Denmolee was slightly less productive than in 1984. He beat Paruhatlek Sit Chunthong, Daotrang Thor Boonlert, Yodmanut Sityodtong and Jokynoi Na Nongkhae (KO). He lost to Panthong Phithak Thanwang 5, Chokchaijiw Na Pattaya, Odnoi Lookprabat and once again to Paruhatlek Sit Chunthong.
Denneua still successfully defended his Lumpinee title against future ring star Wangchanoi Sor Palangchai who was 17 years old. Wangchanoi, nicknamed «Wonderman», was voted «Best Boxer of the Year» in 1993, he won the Lumpinee belt in 118 lbs and 122 lbs.
In 1986, on January 18, he lost by KO the rematch against Jokynoi Na Nongkhae.
In March, Denneua beat Sitthichai Monsongkram again.
On April 8, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he defeated the great champion Supernoi Sitchokchai.
A month later, in the stadium of Lumpinee, on June 3, he beat another great champion, Dedduang Por Pongsawang. On July 29, Denneua knocked out strong Seuasaming Sitchang. On August 22, Denneua reunited with his eternal rival Paruhatlek Sit Chunthong and lost on points to him.
On October 14, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Denneua made the rematch against Wangchanoi Sor Palangchai. The puncher Wonderman knocked out Denneua in the fourth round…
On November 25, Denneua beat Odnoi Lookprabat (Lumpinee Champion in 105 lbs) who had beaten him in points the year before.
On December 10, Denneua and Odnoi Lookprabat faced off for the third time. The two champions drew the match.
1987 was not a very good year for the champion Lamphun, he only won two fights against Sisod Sor Ritthichai and Kwanjai Petchyindee. He lost to Paruhatlek Sit Chunthong (KO), Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong, Phungluang Kiatanan, Sakchai Wongwianyai and Langsuan Phanyuthaphum.
On May 19, 1987, at the Lumpinee Stadium, the two greatest champions of the Northern region, Denneua Denmolee and Langsuan Phanyuthaphum clashed for the Lumpinee belt in 108 lbs. Langsuan won the Lumpinee title. Nicknamed “Khun Khao Ray Namdjai,” “Heartless Knee Striker,” Langsuan was a great champion who won the Lumpinee title in 108 lbs, 112 lbs and 115 lbs, and was voted “Best Boxer of the Year 1987″ by the prestigious The Sport Writers Association of Thailand!
Denneua had a better year in 1988 with six fights won and just two losses.
On February 2, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Denneua won against Ritthichai Lukmaesaithong.
On February 13, in the south at Hat Yai, he defeated local champion Sukkasem Dechchawalit.
On March 15, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he beat Morakot Chor Waikul.
On May 9, in the stadium of Huanmark, Denneua defeated Toyting Kiatphetnoi.
On June 29, Denneua beat the great champion Samernoi Tor Boonlert (Radja champion in 112 lbs and in 115 lbs).
On August 22, in the stadium of Radja, Denneua lost on points against the powerful Boonnam Sor Jarunee.
On September 12, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Denneua beat Dedduang Por Pongsawang for the second time.
For his last fight of the year 1988, on October 19, in the stadium of Radja, Denneua again bowed in points against the rough Boonnam Sor Jarunee. Boonnam became the Radja champion in 118 lbs in 1989 by beating Kraisuwit Sunkeela Nong Khee.
1989 was a good year for Denneua despite having won only five victories out of his nine fights. Because he won the Radja title against the star Weerapol Sahaprom.
On January 15, 1989, in a show held at the crocodile farm in Samut Prakan (30 km from Bangkok), Denneua challenged the reigning Radja champion in 112 lbs, puncher Weerapol Sahaprom. Weerapol won the title in 1988 against Samernoi Tor Boonlert. Weerapol is a ring legend who was Radja champion in 108 lbs, 112 lbs and 115 lbs, he also won the Boxing world champion titles WBA and WBC, this puncher won 46 wins by KO in Boxing.
The wonder boxing ring Denneua Denmolee had a great match and beat Weerapol Sahaprom on points. Denneua became Radja champion in 112 lbs!
On February 22, Denneua beat the champion Samernoi Tor Boonlert for the second time and this time he defeated him in the fourth round!
On April 24, Denneua took a hard knockout against champion Kraisuwit Sunkeela Nong Khee…
On 5 June, at Radja Stadium, Denneua defended his Radja Stadium belt in 112 lbs against star Kaensak Sor Ploenchit. Kaensak was at the top of his career, a month before, he had won the Lumpinee belt in 112 lbs beating champion Paruhatlek Sit Chunthong. Nicknamed “Song Khrang Yod” (Two Times Best Boxer), Kaensak is one of the few champions who has been voted “Best Boxer of the Year” twice by the prestigious institution “The Sport Writers Association of Thailand”. Kaensak received this trophy in 1989 and 1990. He was also voted Best Boxer at Lumpinee Stadium in 1989. After a very close match, Denneua lost his Radja title against Song Khrang Yod…
On July 9, Denneua defeated the experienced Pitilek Chaipiphat.
On August 8, he beat Toyting Kiatphetnoi again.
On September 25, in the stadium of Radja, Denneua lost on points against Ratchasak Sor Worapin. Ratchasak was the reigning Radja champion in 115 lbs, this great champion also won the Radja belt in 122 lbs and 126 lbs.
On October 18, Denneua defeated Supernoi Sitchokchai for the second time.
On December 29, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Denneua met the young star of the moment Phim Aranlek Sit Aran alias Somrak Kamsing (First Thai in history to win a Gold medal at the Olympic Games in Boxing). Denneua lost on points against the genius of the rings Somrak.
1990 was one of the best years in Denneua’s career with five wins, one draw, one loss and another Radja title.
On January 30, Denneua drew against Darathong Kiatmuangtrang. The two fighters made the rematch a month later and Denneua won on points.
On March 29, Denneua defeated Marwin Lukratchawit on points.
On May 9, in the stadium of Radja, Denneua faced Kongfa Luktapfa for the title of Radja in 115 lbs. Denneua beat Kongfa on points and won his second Radja stadium title!
On June 15, he won again against Kongfa Luktapfa.
On June 30, in his northern region in Chiangmai, Denneua found Samernoi Tor Boonlert for a third time who beat him by stoppage of the referee in the fourth round…
On November 29, Denneua defeated Daonapha Kiatsamran on points.
1991 was a very bad year for the champion of Lamphun. He lost his Radja title and suffered a hard knockout.
On April 7, at Samut Songkhram, he beat Prabpram Sitsantad.
On May 8, in Radja stadium, Denneua lost hard by KO, in the third round, for the rematch against puncher Weerapol Sahaprom…
On June 26, in the stadium of Radja, Denneua lost on points against Singnoi Sor Prasartporn.
On August 29, in the stadium of Radja, he drew a draw against Dechrit Sor Ploenchit.
On October 3, in the stadium of Radja, Denneua lost on points the rematch against Burlek Pinsinchai.
For his last fight of 1991, Denneua Denmolee (26 year) was challenged by the terror of the rings of the moment, the young Lakhin Wassantasit (19 year). Denneua defended his Radja title in 115 lbs for this explosive encounter between the Denmolee technique and puncher Lakhin. This match, at the Radja stadium, also counted for the playoffs of the famous Isuzu tournament. Lakhin was ranked N° 3 at Radja Stadium in 115 lbs. Lakhin was one of the biggest punchers of the 1990s. With his destructive strike, he executed many opponents by knockout. This formidable «Muay Mat» (Strong in Fist) was nicknamed «Mat Phayayom» (The puncher of hell). He was twice elected «Best Fighter of the Year» of the Radja Stadium in 1989 and 1991 and won a belt of the Radja Stadium in 115 lbs, a belt of the Isuzu Tournament in 115 lbs and a belt of the Omnoi Stadium in 140 lbs.
Denneua was knocked out in the second round by Mat Phayayom who took away his Radja title…
Denneua Denmolee continued to do some fighting in the ’90s. But he was not the same wonderful ring technician of the ’80s.
Denneua Denmolee is one of the greatest technicians of the 80s, he beat the best champions such as Panomtuanlek Ha Phalang, Bunkerd Fairtex, Burlek Pinsinchai, Paruhatlek Sit Chunthong, Wangchanoi Sor Palangchai, Supernoi Sitchokchai, Dedduang Por Pongsawang, Odnoi Lookprabat, Samernoi Tor Boonlert, Weerapol Sahaprom!
BY SERGE TREFEU