FERRARI FAIRTEX (Elected Best Boxer of the Year in 2021)
INTERVIEW WITH FERRARI FAIRTEX (Elected Best Boxer of the Year in 2021)
by Serge TREFEU (2023)
Serge TREFEU: Hello Ferrari, how are you?
FERRARI: Very good, thank you
How old are you ?
I am 25
Where in Thailand were you born and raised?
I come from Khiri Rat Nikhom in the province of Surat Thani, I am from the South of Thailand
You have brothers and sisters ?
We are three children in the family
Do you have a brother who’s a fighter like you?
Yes, my 17-year-old brother is a professional boxer, he trains at the Jakrayanmuaythai gym camp in Bangkok. His fighting name is Jakua Jakrayanmuaythai
«Jakua» in Thai means «Jaguar» in reference to the sports car of the brand Jaguar, you also have a nickname of fighter that evokes a famous brand of car «Ferrari», why these nicknames?
(Laughter) Yes, it’s true, my brother and me love beautiful luxury cars and having a nickname of fighter of a car known all over the world is rewarding, we surely remember your name!
When did you start boxing?
At the age of 7 in the Kietrasada camp of Ajahn Dam in Surat Thani
Did you fight your first fight when you were seven?
Yes
Did you win or lose that first fight?
I lost on points but I won 300 baht (Laughs)
How did you discover boxing?
The Kor Satian Gym camp was right next to my house, I often saw the boxers running and it made me want to try this sport
How old were you when you came to Bangkok and what camp were you on?
At 11 years I went to the Jakrayanmuaythai gym camp which is in the Bang Rak Noi neighborhood in Nonthaburi, in the northern suburbs of Bangkok
Jakrayanmuaythai means «Muay Thai bikes», why this name of gym?
Because the boss of camp has a big bike store in Bangkok, he has another one also in the south
Today you’re at the Fairtex Gym in Pattaya, how long have you been at the Fairtex Gym?
I’ve been at the Fairtex Gym for three years now
In what category do you fight?
I fight now in 147 lbs (67 kg), before I fought in 140 lbs (63 kg 500) and 135 lbs (61 kg)
What titles did you win?
I won the belt of the TV7 stadium in 135 lbs against Jamesak in 2018
Did you fight for other titles?
In 2019, I met Kulapdam for the belt of the Lumpinee stadium in 140 lbs, I lost points against him…
How many fights have you done?
About 200 fights for 150 victories
How many wins per knockout?
Not much, I won maybe twenty fights by KO
What’s your fighting style?
I am a fimeuu (Technique) with good middle-kicks
Your best boxing memory?
When I beat Ritteewada Sitthikul at TV7 stadium in 2021, he’s a great champion and he was given a favorite against me for that match!
What was your hardest fight until today?
I think it’s against Muangthai PK Saenchai in a match at Nakhon Si Thammarat, I beat him to the points but after the fight I was severely wounded in the legs and face. Muangthai is a very difficult opponent, a durable boxer with dangerous elbows, he beat me at home in Buriram and I took my revenge in the south…
What are some known fighters you’ve faced?
I met Sittisak Petpayathai, Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai, Kulapdam Sor Jor Piek-U-Thai, Shadow Singmawynn, Muangthai PK Saenchai, Thaksinlek Kiatniwat, Yodlekpet Or Pitisak, Ritteewada Sitthikul, Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon, Sangmanee Sor Tienpo, Tapaokaew Singmawynn, Phet Utong Sor Sommai
Have you ever fought overseas?
Yes in Singapore, I met a Chinese boxer whom I beat on points
Would you like to fight in Europe?
If I am offered a fight, with a good purse, I am open to any proposal
What is your purse in Thailand?
120,000 baht
What purse would you fight for overseas?
Between 300,000 and 400,000 baht
Who do you think is the best foreign fighter right now?
I find champion Jimmy Vienot very strong!
He’s a French champion, do you know any French champions?
Not too much, but I saw Jimmy matches in Thailand…
Rafi Singpatong, he’s a Frenchman, don’t you know him?
Yes, I know Rafi, yes of course, he is very good, he is champion of Lumpinee!
Who do you think is the best Thai champion right now?
I think it’s Nong O Kaiyanghadao
What promoter are you fighting for?
For Mr. Peerapong Theeradejpong (Chun Kiatpetch) and Mr. Philip Wong (Owner of Fairtex Gym)
What would you like to do after your boxing career?
I would like to open a big boxing camp in Surat Thani in my native region, a camp where I would train Thai and foreign fighters!
Would you call it “Ferrari Gym”?
(Laughter) Yes, why not!
Thank you so much for the interview and chookdee for your projects!
Thank you so much
Ferrari is one of the best fighters in his category, in 147 lbs, he beat Shadow Syngmawynn (Radja Champion in 147 lbs, winner of the RWS tournament in 147 lbs), Muangthai P.K. Saenchai Gym (Lumpinee Champion in 108 lbs, TV7 champion in 130 lbs, Thailand champion in 135 lbs), Thaksinlek Kiatniwat (WMO world champion in 140 lbs, TrueForYou champion in 140 lbs), Yodlekpet Or Pitisak (Radja champion in 140 lbs and 135 lbs, Lumpinee champion in 135 lbs), Ritteewada Sithikul (TV7 Champion in 140 lbs, Lumpinee Champion in 140 lbs, WMC World Champion in 140 lbs), Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon (Lumpinee Champion in 130 lbs, Omnoi Champion in 135 lbs), Sangmanee Sor Tienpo (Radja Champion in 108 lbs, in 112 lbs and in 115 lbs, Lumpinee champion in 105 lbs, True4U champion in 135 lbs), Tapaokaew Singmawynn (N° 1 TV7 in 147 lbs), Phet Utong Or Kwanmuang (Radja Champion in 130 lbs)!
On 12 August 2018, Ferrari won the 135 lbs TV7 Stadium belt against Jamesak Super Muay (Sakburiram). Jamesak is a great champion who has already won the TV7 stadium titles in 105 lbs and 130 lbs.
On March 19, 2019, Ferrari challenged puncher Kulapdam Sor Jor Piek-U-Thai for the vacant title at Lumpinee stadium in 140 lbs. Kulapdam (135 lbs Lumpinee Champion, 135 lbs Thailand Champion) was voted “Best Boxer of 2017”, he had beaten many champions by KO. Ferrari lost points to the formidable Kulapdam…
In 2021, the young Ferrari had four big fights against big names of the moment, he beat Yodlekpet Or Pitisak, Ritteewada Sitthikul, Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon and he lost on points against Tapaokaew Singmawynn.
During this time of Covid-19 outbreak in 2021, Thai champions have not often fought. Ferrari has only had four fights this year but against big stars in the rings. For this performance, he was voted «Best Boxer of the Year 2021» by the prestigious institution «The Sport Writers Association of Thailand»!
In 2022, Ferrari made another great year by beating the stars Sangmanee Sor Tienpo (Best Boxer of 2012), Phet Utong Or Kwanmuang (KO) (Best Boxer of 2016) and twice Tapaokaew Singmawynn. Ferrari and Tapaokaew have faced off four times with two wins each.
On September 29, Ferrari made his first fight in the famous One Championship organization. In Singapore, he beat the Chinese Han Zihao.
The start of 2023 was less good for the champion Ferrari as he lost his two fights at the One Championship in Bangkok.
On February 10, at the Lumpinee stadium, Ferrari met the terrible puncher Jose Reis. Ferrari lost by KO in the second round following a dazzling left hook by Jose Reis…
The Portuguese champion who lives in Thailand and trains at the Venum Gym camp in Pattaya beat the great champions Ritteewada Sitthikul by KO in round 1, December 9, 2022, at the Radja stadium and Sangmanee Sor Tienpo by KO in round 1, May 5, 2023 at the Lumpinee stadium!
On April 28, 2023, at Lumpine Stadium, Ferrari fought a Dantesque battle against Iranian solider Fariya Aminipour. After being counted, Ferrari opened his opponent with his elbows, Fariya Aminipour finished the match with a bloody face. The judges gave the points victory to the Iranian champion…
FERRARI FAIRTEX
Birth name: Kittiphop Mueangphram
Date of Birth: August 1, 1997
Weight: 67 Kg
Size: 1m74
Number of fights: 200. 150 victories (20 KO)
Title: 135 lbs TV7 Champion (2018)
Team: FAIRTEX