ONCE UPON A TIME, MUAY THAI’S GREATEST CHAMPIONS! CHAPTER I (YEAR 50, 60)
ONCE UPON A TIME,
MUAY THAI’S GREATEST CHAMPIONS!
by Serge TRÉFEU (2019)
CHAPTER I (YEAR 50, 60)
The greatest champions of Muay Thai have been listed in the magnificent book “123 ALL-TIME GREATEST MUAY THAI FIGHTERS OF THAILAND“, a unique book drawn only a few copies in Thailand. Here are the legends that have marked the history of Muay Thai during their heyday!
YEAR 50
Suk Prasarthinpimai
Real name: Suk Jaadpimai
Date of birth: 1912
City of birth: Pimai in the region of Nakhon Ratchassima
Title: Ranked in the top 10 fighters of Thailand
Nickname: “The Giant Ghost”
The best opponents he beat: Prasit Chomsrimek (KO), Surachai Loogsurin (KO), Taveedej Samaanchant (KO)
Fighter Style: Strong fighter with fists and elbows
Most important purse: 20,000 baht
Particular Sign: Died in 2000 at the age of 88
Chuchai Prakhanchai
Real name: Chuchai Ritluechai
Date of birth: 1925
City of birth: Uttaradit
Title: N ° 1 stadium of Radja
Nickname: “Hero of The Ring”
The best opponents he beat: Surachai Loogsurin (KO), Suk Prasarthinpimai (KO), Hideoh Asano (Japanese) (KO)
Fighter Style: Strong fist puncher
Most important purse: 25,000 baht
Particular Sign: Won the Cup “8 King of Angles” in the stadium of Radja. Died in 2008 at the age of 83 years
Thongbai Yontarakij
Real name: Thongbai Sonsroi
Date of birth: 1922
City of birth: Bangkok in the district of Bangkhen
Title: Suan Jaochet stadium champion in 135 lbs
Nickname: “The strong wheel”
The best opponents he beat: Surachai Loogsurin (KO), Usamarn Sorndaeng
Fighter Style: Strong in combination fists and low kicks
Most important purse: 22,500 baht
Particular Sign: Won the “Army” Cup at the stadium Lak Muang Boxing. Won the Cup “4 Tiger Stripes” in the stadium of Radja. Died in 1999 at the age of 77
Usamarn Sorndaeng
Real name: Paitoon Krijthong
Date of birth: 1931
City of birth: Bangkok in the district of Bangrak
Title: Radja champion in Boxing in 147 lbs
Nickname: “The Arab’s Heir”
The best opponents he beat: Sodsai Narupai (KO), Prasit Chomsrimek (KO), Plian Kingpetch
Fighter Style: Puncher
Most important purse: 20,000 baht
Particular Sign: Won the “6 Goldstars” Cup in the stadium of Radja. Died in 1964 at the age of 33 years
Prayuth Udomsak
Real name: Sawad Dokkmanee
Date of birth: 1925
City of birth: Nakhon Ratchassima
Title: Radja Champion in 160 lbs (2 times)
Nickname: “The Gray Horse”
The best opponents he beat: Thongbai Yontarakij, Sakchai Naakpayak
Fighter Style: Technician with superb combination
Most important purse: 20,000 baht
Particular Sign: Won the Cup “4 Royal Birds” in the stadium of Radja. Died in 1991 at the age of 66
Somdej Yontarakij
Real name: Samruay Thanee
Date of birth: June 2nd, 1931
City of birth: Bangplama in the Suphanburi area
Title: Muay Thai Army Champion in 160 lbs, OPBF Boxing Champion in 147 lbs and 160 lbs
Nickname: “Southpaw Thunder”
The best opponents he beat: Prayuth Udomsak (KO 3 times), Suttinun Janenarong (KO)
Fighter Style: Puncher
Most important purse: 20,000 baht
Particular Sign: Won the Cup “7 Goldenlion” in the stadium of Radja in 1949. Died in 2011 at the age of 87
Sakchai Naakpayak
Real name: Sukkasem Pianpakdee
Date of birth: 1927
City of birth: Chonburi
Title: Radja Champion in 160 lbs
Nickname: “Shadow of Tiger”
The best opponents he beat: Surachai Loogsurin (2 times), Suk Prasarthinpimai
Fighter Style: Very fast fighter with both left and right kicks
Most important purse: 20,000 baht
Particular Sign: Won the Cup “10 Tiger’s Shadow” in the stadium of Radja in 1949. Died in 1953 at the age of 26
Jumrern Throngkitratt
Real name: Samrerng Srimadee
Date of birth: 1926
City of birth: Roi Et
Title: Radja champion in Boxing in 126 lbs, Boxing champion OPBF in 135 lbs
Nickname: “Fire Eguana”
The best opponents he beat: Vihok Tiamkaamhaeng (KO), Promminter Naowaraat, Nikhom Klongpajon (KO)
Fighter Style: Puncher and Technique
Most important purse: 30,000 baht
Particular Sign: Won the Cup “4 Goldstars” in the stadium of Radja. Died in 2003 at the age of 77
YEAR 60
Kiewwaan Yontarakij
Real Name: Boonsong Kerdmanee
Date of birth: August 25, 1939
City of birth: Bangkok district Dusit
Title: Lumpinee Champion in 147 lbs
Nickname: “The southpaw lightning”
The best opponents he beat: Charnchai Loogsurin (KO), Srisawad Tiamprasit
Fighter Style: Strong fighter with his fists, puncher
Most important purse: 20,000 baht
Particular Sign: Director of the World Professional Muay Thai Federation. Received the trophy of “Best Boxer of the Year” by the King in 1961
Adul Srisothorn
Real name: Adul Suksamran
Date of birth: May 30, 1940
City of birth: Baanpoh in Chachoengsao
Title: Lumpinee Champion in 126 lbs, Lumpinee Champion in 135 lbs, Radja Champion in 135 lbs
Nickname: “Diamond crown champion”
The best opponents he beat: Sompong Jaroenmuang (KO), Apidej Sitthirun, Kiewwaan Yontarakij
Fighter Style: Technician with great experience
Most important purse: 80,000 baht
Particular Sign: Awarded the “Best Boxer of the Year” trophy by the King in 1963. Died at the age of 36 in a car accident
Vicharn Sor Pinijsak
Real name: Pinai Kraikukul
Date of birth: 1940
City of birth: Had Yai in Songkla area
Title: Lumpinee Champion in 135 lbs, Radja Champion in 135 lbs, Radja Champion in 126 lbs
Nickname: “Champion of 5 Rankings”
The best opponents he beat: Adul Srisothorn (3 times), Sompong Jaroenmuang (2 times), Rakkiat Kiatmuangym
Fighter Style: Good combination with kick and knee
Most important purse: 40,000 baht
Particular Sign: Won the Favorite TV Cup in the Lumpinee stadium and the Master of Earth Cup in the stadium of Radja
Sompong Jarernmuang
Real name: Sompong Phongpeeya
Date of birth: 16 November 1940
City of birth: Pranburi of Prachuap Khiri Khan region
Title: N° 1 of Radja stadium in 135 lbs
Nickname: “The Attacker”
Best opponents he beat: Samart Sorndaeng (KO), Ravee Dechachai (6 times), Dejrit Itthianuchit
Fighter Style: Fierce and Aggressive Fighter
Most important purse: 30,000 baht
Particular Sign: Received the trophy of “Best Boxer of the Year” by His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1965. Technical Advisor in Muay Thai at the prestigious Rangsit Muay Thai Academy
Ravee Dechachai
Real name: Sompong Chanpaetrak
Date of birth: 3 September 1942
City of birth: Bangkok in Donmuang district
Title: Radja Champion in 160 lbs (2 times)
Nickname: “Air Force Rocket”
Best opponents he beat: Vicharn Sor Pinijsak (2 times)
Fighter Style: Fighter Enduring Very Strongly in Elbow
Most important purse: 30,000 baht
Particular Sign: Coach at the prestigious Muay Thai Rangsit Academy
Apidej Sitthirun
Real name: Narong Throngmanee
Date of birth: September 1st, 1941
City of birth: Bangkontee near Samutsongkram
Title: Radja Champion in 147 lbs (2 times), Lumpinee Champion in 147 lbs (2 times), Thailand Champion in 147 lbs
Nickname: “Top Kicker from Bangnokkwack”
Best opponents he beat: Dejrit Itthianuchit (7 wins), Sompong Jaroenmuang (KO)
Fighter Style: Strong High Kick Technician
Most important purse: 85,000 baht
Particular Sign: The best left leg in the history of Muay Thai. Received the trophy of “Best Fighter of the Century” by His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej. Died at 71 years of cancer in 2013
Dejrit Itthianuchit
Real name: Dejrit Srinop
Date of birth: 17 October 1940
City of birth: Bang Nampriew of Chanchoengsao region
Title: Radja Champion in 126 lbs, Radja Champion in 135 lbs, Radja Champion in 147 lbs (2 times)
Nickname: “The Diamond Heart”
Best opponents he beat: Apidej Sitthirun (4 times), Sompong Jarernmuang (KO)
Fighter Style: Great combination with his fists and feet
Most important purse: 60,000 baht
Particular sign: Officer in the army. Became singer in the famous Elizabeth Hotel in Bangkok
Danchai Yontarakij
Real name: Pulsak Parnsuwan
Date of birth: 18 October 1941
City of birth: Bangkok in the district of Bangsue
Title: Lumpinee Champion in 122 lbs, Lumpinee Champion in 135 lbs, Radja Champion in 135 lbs
Nickname: “The Great Earth”
Best opponents he beat: Adul Srisothorn (3 times), Ravee Dechachai (2 times), Prabthoranee Muangsurin
Fighter Style: Strong fighter with fists, dangerous with hooks and uppercuts
Most important purse: 65,000 baht
Particular sign: Won the “Great Earth Cup” at the Lumpinee Stadium
Payap Skulsuek
Real name: Payap Viboolratt
Date of birth: 28 December 1941
City of birth: Bangkok in the district of Bangsue
Title: Radja Champion in 135 lbs, Thailand Champion in 135 lbs
Nickname: “Top Kicker of Tao Poon”
Best opponents he beat: Vicharn Sor Pinijsak (2 times), Sompong Jaroenmuang (2 times), Kraismut Jantarapis (KO)
Fighter Style: Technician with quick kicks
Most important purse: 45,000 baht
Particular sign: Won the Mitsubishi Cup in 126 lbs. Died of a heart attack in 1995 at age 54
Prabthoranee Muangsurin
Real name: Poonsawad Mulsartsathorn
Date of birth: December 11, 1939
City of birth: Surin
Title: No. 1 Lumpinee stadium and Radja stadium in 135 lbs
Nickname: “The Spirit Punch”
Best opponents he beat: Danchai Yontarakij, Den Srisothorn (KO)
Fighter Style: Fighter with a powerful straight, puncher
Most important purse: 20,000 baht
Particular sign: First fighter to win “The Great Earth Cup” at the Lumpinee Stadium. Become a Deputy Miniser of Labour
Thongbai Jarernmuang
Real name: Thongbai Munkhong
Date of birth: May 16, 1946
City of birth: Taphanhin
Title: No. 1 Lumpinee stadium and Radja stadium in 135 lbs
Nickname: “The Incredible”
Best opponents he beat: Adul Srisothorn (2 times), Den Srisothorn (3 times), Sonthaya Kessongkram
Fighter Style: Fighter tough Strong Fist
Most important purse: 25,000 baht
Particular Sign: Owned several houses he rents in the district of Lad Prao in Bangkok
Anantasak Raw For Thor
Real name: Anan Charnkla
Date of birth: April 29, 1942
City of birth: Phrae in North Region
Title: Radja Champion in 118 lbs, Radja Champion in 126 lbs (2 times)
Nickname: “The Train Knee Striker”
Best opponents he beat: Suvitnoi Loogbangplasroi (KO), Denthoranee Muangsurin, Praedum Muangsurin
Fighter Style: Dreadful knee and lightning elbows
Most important purse: 18,000 baht
Particular Sign: Treasurer of the Thai Association of Muay Thai Fighters
Den Srisothorn
Real name: Den Suksamrarn
Date of birth: November 10, 1942
City of birth: Baan Poh in Chanchoengsao area
Title: Radja Champion in 126 lbs, Radja Champion in 130 lbs, Radja Champion in 135 lbs (3 times)
Nickname: “The Red Bull”
Best opponents he beat: Suvitnoi Loogbangplasroi (2 times), Sornnakrob Kiatvayupak, Salehmarn Itthianuchit
Fighter Style: Very fast knee strike
Most important purse: 25,000 baht
Particular sign: Winner of the “Red Bull Cup” at the stadium of Radja. President of Titsara Travel Company and many other transport companies
Khondej Loogbangplasroi
Real name: Somdej Katanyoo
Date of birth: November 1949
City of birth: Tai Mai in the Chantaburi region
Title: Radja Champion in 140 lbs, TV7 Champion in 140 lbs
Nickname: “Dangerous Shark”
Best opponents he beat: Apidej Sitthirun (3 times), Dejrit Itthianuchit (2 times), Huasai Sitthiboonlert
Fighter Style: Very strong technician with circular kicks
Most important purse: 60,000 baht
Particular sign: Died at the age of 55