INTERVIEW WITH RING STAR “STAMP FAIRTEX,” THE $300,000 CHAMPION!
INTERVIEW WITH RING STAR “STAMP FAIRTEX,” THE $300,000 CHAMPION!
By Serge TREFEU (2025)
(Thanks to Matt Lucas)
Serge TREFEU: Hello Stamp, how are you?
STAMP: Very good, thank you
Which region of Thailand are you from?
I’m from the town of Klaeng in the Rayong region, which isn’t far from Pattaya
How old were you when you came to Pattaya?
I arrived in Pattaya when I was around 18 or 19 years, when I joined the Fairtex Gym camp. I have my own room there
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yes, I have a younger brother who is ten years younger than me
Is he a boxer too?
Yes, his fighting nickname is “Shokun Fairtex.” He was trained by my father and came to join me at the Fairtex Gym. He’s a very good fighter, and he now has nearly 80 fights to his credit
How old were you when you started boxing?
I was about five years old
How old are you now?
I’m 27 years old
How did you discover boxing?
My father is a former boxer; his fighting name was “Wisanlek Lukbangplasoi.” He was the one who taught me and my little brother boxing. I grew up surrounded by boxers: my father, my uncle, my cousin—they were all boxers. But I mainly started boxing to defend myself, because at school, I was often bullied and didn’t dare fight…
Is your father a former great fighter?
Yes, he fought in the biggest stadiums in Bangkok, at Lumpinee and Radja, in the 90s. He was very well-known as a fighter at the time
Has your father still been training you since you joined Fairtex Gym?
My father is like my manager; he manages my career. He often comes to see me during my training sessions. My mother monitors my diet before my fights. Every time I fight, my parents are there to encourage me!
Which boxing camp did you begin your training at?
I started training with my father at my uncle’s camp, Kiatboonkeun, in Rayong province. That’s where I fought under the name Stamp Bor Paitoon
At what age did you have your first fight?
My first fight was when I was 6 years old, and I won by knockout in the first round!
Did you have your first fights in the Rayong region?
Yes, often at village festivals
Were there many fights with women at the events you started fighting in?
Not many, no…
What weight class do you fight in today?
-52 kg
What were the first titles you won?
I won the Northeast Women’s Championship when I was very young. Then, at 17, I won the PPTV Championship, and the following year, in 2017, I won the Thepprasit Stadium Championship in Pattaya, defeating American Sylvie Petchrungruang
And your first major title?
It was the ONE Championship Kickboxing World Champion title, which I won in Bangkok against Chinese Kai Ting Chuang in 2018
Then you won the Muay Thai world title?
Yes, in 2019, in Singapore, I defeated American Janet Todd for the ONE Muay Thai world title. I successfully defended the title against Australian Alma Juniku
Have you also fought in MMA and won a world title?
Yes, I’ve had 13 fights and 11 wins in MMA. In 2023, I defeated Korean Seo Hee Ham and won the ONE 115 lbs MMA world title!
Do you easily adapt and fight in these three different combat sports styles?
I train mainly in Muay Thai, having been trained in that field. But when it comes to preparing for kickboxing or MMA, I benefit from excellent preparation at my boxing camp. At Fairtex, there are many talented Muay Thai and MMA fighters with whom I can train. So, there’s no problem; I’m ready to fight in MMA, Muay Thai, or kickboxing
How many fights have you had so far?
I’ve had nearly 100 fights, including over 80 in Muay Thai and 13 in MMA. At ONE Championship, I’ve participated in 18 fights and won 14
Do you have many knockout victories?
No, not many. I’ve won about ten fights by knockout
What’s your fighting style?
I’m more of a Muay Khao fighter (strong in knee strikes), although I also use my fists and elbows a lot. My father trained me in knee strike techniques, as they were his main specialty when he fought. But today, I’m a complete fighter, both in punching and kicking techniques
What’s your favorite technique?
I really like the straight elbow!
What has been your toughest fight so far?
My match against Brazilian Allycia Rodrigues for the ONE Muay Thai world title. She broke my nose with an elbow, and the last two rounds were very tough. I lost on points. After the match, I went to the hospital because of this serious injury…
Your best fighting memory?
My best fighting memory is my ONE MMA World Title fight against Canadian Angela Lee (ONE MMA World Champion, with five successful title defenses and the longest reign in ONE history). Even though I lost to her, Angela Lee was my idol, and I had the honor of meeting my idol in the cage!
Which famous female fighters have you faced?
Supergirl Jaroonsak (win), Janet Todd (1 win, 1 loss), Allycia Rodrigues (loss), Alyona Rassohyna (1 win, 1 loss), Ritu Phogat (win), Angela Lee (loss), Alma Juniku (win)
Who do you think is the best Thai fighter right now?
I think Phetjeeja (WMC, WPMF, Thai Fight, and ONE Kickboxing World Champion) is one of the best right now
Have you fought a lot abroad?
I’ve fought in Singapore, the Philippines, China, the United States…
And in Europe?
No, never
Do you know any French female fighters?
I only know French champion Anissa Meksen, because I was supposed to fight her at ONE…
Which promoter do you fight for?
Chatri Sityodtong, General Manager of ONE Championship
What’s your purse in Thailand?
10 million baht (about $300,000)!
When is your next fight?
I don’t know yet, maybe in July or August…
A Muay Thai match?
No, it’ll be MMA
What’s the reason for your absence from the ring for a little over a year? A major injury?
Yes, I tore the meniscus in my left knee during training. I had to undergo major surgery and a long rehabilitation. But today, things are better; I’m ready to fight again!
What do you plan to do after boxing?
I don’t know exactly yet. First, I want to provide for my family and build a beautiful house in Rayong for my parents…
Would you like to have your own boxing camp?
Maybe, I’ll figure it out later. For now, I’m focusing on my return to the ring!
Thank you very much for the interview
At the age of five, young Stamp, whose real name is Natthawan Phanthong, decided to start learning Muay Thai. This choice, motivated both by the desire to improve her fighting skills and to build mental strength, was part of a desire for transformation: to prove that behind a fragile appearance can hide a formidable fighter.
This discipline not only allows her to defend herself against her bullies, deterring them from attacking her, but also reveals an unsuspected talent for martial arts. The rigorous training has transformed her: from a chubby and mischievous little girl, she becomes a determined athlete, ready to make a name for herself.
At the age of six, she entered a Muay Thai ring for the first time. She caused a sensation by knocking out her opponent… in less than 30 seconds.
At the age of eight, she was already earning money from her fights, with the goal of financially supporting her family. But reaching the top level was neither quick nor easy: the road was long, strewn with pitfalls and sacrifices.
Every morning at five o’clock, she would go for a two-hour run. Then she would go to school, and in the evening, once she got home, she would put on her boxing gloves for an intensive workout under her father’s supervision.
Nicknamed “Nakmuay Ying Paak Daeng”—the red-lipped boxer—the young fighter quickly made her mark in the ring. She owes this nickname to a sweet childhood habit: before each fight, her mother would apply bright lipstick to her, as a lucky charm. The gesture became a veritable ritual, to which she remains faithful to this day. Stamp herself says: “If my lips aren’t red, I won’t have the strength to fight.”
Through perseverance, she triumphed over her opponents and became the Northeast Regional Champion. However, despite her success, she put her career on hold for several years. At the time, women’s Muay Thai had not yet achieved the recognition it enjoys today, and she struggled to envision a sustainable future in the discipline.
At 17, she returned to the ring and won a string of victories: she beat Nongphon Khamthon Service, Nongda Kriat 5 Kram, Famhai Sakaran, Jenjira Rahatampaeu, Namphet Thor Thanachai and won the Channel PPTV 36 belt.
Around the age of eighteen, the young athlete was spotted by the prestigious Fairtex Gym. The center’s owner, Mr. Bunjong Busarakamwongse (better known as Mr. Philip Wong), was looking for a promising boxer to train in mixed martial arts (MMA), and saw exceptional potential in her. This is when Stamp’s great adventure truly began.
On October 6, 2018, in Bangkok, Stamp faced Taiwanese Kai Ting Chuang, the reigning ONE Championship kickboxing world champion (115 lbs category). This fight marked a turning point: Stamp dominated her opponent and thus won her very first world title!
A few months later, on February 22, 2019, she was back in the spotlight, this time in Singapore. Facing the experienced American Janet Todd (kickboxing world champion and interim ONE Championship Muay Thai champion), Stamp delivered a memorable fight. At the end of this intense confrontation, she captured the Muay Thai world title at 115 lbs, adding a second belt to her list of achievements!
Three months after winning her second world title, on June 15 in Shanghai, China, Stamp successfully defended her Muay Thai belt. She faced Australian Alma Juniku, WBC and IPCC world champion, and earned another prestigious victory.
But 2020 marked a more difficult turning point in her career. Stamp successively lost her two world championships: first the kickboxing title to American Janet Todd in Singapore, then the Muay Thai title to Brazilian Allycia Hellen Rodrigues. A double defeat that left its mark.
Despite everything, Stamp didn’t give up. On January 14, 2023, she returned to kickboxing for what would be her final bout in the sport. Facing the phenomenal Supergirl Jaroonsak—who was a quick replacement for champion Anissa Meksen—Stamp delivered a solid performance and won on points, adding another winning streak to her career.
On September 30, 2023, Stamp Fairtex definitively wrote her name into the history of high-level combat sports. That evening, she was originally scheduled to challenge for the interim ONE Championship world title in MMA (115 lbs category). But a dramatic turn of events occurred: during the event, reigning champion Angela Lee announced her retirement. The fight then became a final for the undisputed world title.
Facing the formidable South Korean Ham Seo Hee, Stamp didn’t waver. She won by TKO in the third round, thus winning the MMA world title. With this victory, she achieved an unprecedented feat: becoming the first athlete in history to be crowned world champion in three different disciplines—Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA!
With this historic performance, she also becomes the highest-paid Thai fighter in the country, with a purse of $300,000. A crowning achievement for the woman who, as a child, entered the ring with red lips and a valiant heart.
Stamp Fairtex was originally scheduled to defend her MMA world title last year in the United States against Filipino champion Denice Zamboanga, the current interim 115-pound titleholder at ONE Championship. However, an injury disrupted her plans: Stamp was forced to rest and was sidelined for nearly a year and a half.
Today, the wait is over. The highly anticipated fight between Stamp Fairtex and Denice Zamboanga has been officially confirmed for ONE 173, which will take place at the Ball Arena in Denver, USA, on August 1, 2025. The ONE Championship MMA world titles will be on the line, and the pressure will be on.
The phenomenal Stamp Fairtex isn’t done yet. Her formidable fighting adventure is far from over!
FAIRTEX STAMP
Birth Name: Natthawan Phanthong
Nickname: The Red Lip Boxer
Date of Birth: November 16, 1997
Weight: 115 lbs (52 kg)
Height: 5’11” (157 cm)
Number of Fights: 99. 75 Wins, 19 Losses, 5 Draws
Titles: ONE Championship MMA World Champion at 115 lbs (2023), ONE Championship Muay Thai World Champion at 115 lbs (2019), ONE Championship World Champion at 115 lbs (2018), Thepprasit Stadium Champion at 108 lbs (2017), PPTV Channel 36 Champion at 108 lbs (2016)
Team: FAIRTEX GYM