« ORONO » A NAME OF CHAMPION
« ORONO » A NAME OF CHAMPION
BY SERGE TREFEU (2021)
ORONO is a name that has become famous in the world of Thai Muay Thai because it was worn by great Thai fighters. For years, this famous fighter’s nickname has been adopted by many boxers such as Orono Por Muang Ubon, Orono Wor Petchpun, Orono Muangsima, Orono Sor Sakulphan, Orono Eminent Air, Orono Sitbenjama, Orono Yong 101, Orono Tor Taotai, Orono Thor Tamararit Gym, Orono Chor Petchmuangkhon.
The best known are undoubtedly Orono Por Muang Ubon, Orono Wor Petchpun, Orono Muangsima and Orono Sor Sakulphan!
The first boxer to have worn this fighter’s nickname is Somkid Deomprakon who called himself “Orono”. First, Orono Kiatkamchai then Orono Por Muang Ubon.
Somkid Deomprakon was born on January 14, 1973 in the town of Ubon Ratchathani (North East Region) to a Thai mother and an American GI father. He was trained at 10 years old in Muay Thai in the Kiatkamchai camp of Santhanongnoi Kiatkamchai.
Then, Somkid joined the famous Por Muang Ubon Gym camp which included great champions like Nungtrakarn (S1 world champion, WMC world champion) and Nungubon (Lumpinee champion in 105 lbs, in 112 lbs, in 115 lbs and in 118 lbs).
His coach Khru Kiatkamchai named him Orono. The origin of his name «Orono» comes from the former Venezuelan boxing champion, Raphael Orono who won the WBC world champion belt in 115 lbs in 1980. Raphael Orono lost to the WBA World Championship in 1985 at the Radja Stadium against the biggest Thai puncher in history Khaosaï Galaxy. It was after seeing this match between these two legends of the noble Art that his coach gave the name of fighter «Orono» to Somkid Deomprakon. Because he found that the Boxing champion Raphael Orono had an incredible physical resemblance to the young nakmuay Somkid.
Nicknamed “Sam O” (3 O), Orono was a fighter of a particular style, a left-handed very difficult to beat. An exceptional durable boxer who sometimes took too many blows during his long professional career. At 45 years, Orono was still fighting. He has fought more than 250 times.
In October 1993, Orono lost to Phetdam Sityodthong for the Lumpinee belt in 135 lbs. But he then won the Lumpinee belt in 135 lbs in 1994 against Pairoj Wor Wolapon, a belt that he defended three times victoriously, notably against the legendary Jongsanan Fairtex, on March 28, 1995.
Orono also won a world champion’s belt in 140 lbs against the great champions Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj and Nuathoranee Wor Thaweekiet. As well as a belt of world champion in 147 lbs against the great French champion Stephane Nikiema in Tokyo in 2000.
Orono had a lot of very hard fights especially against Sakmongkol Sitchuchok, they met seven times, Orono won once, Sakmongkol won five times and they drew. The two champions received in 1998, for their memorable confrontation, the trophy of “Hardest match of the year in the stadium of Lumpinee”.
In 1994, on October 24, at the Radja stadium, after the decision of the match between Orono Por Muang Ubon and Pairoj Wor Wolapon, the punters triggered a riot in the stadium that almost degenerated. Pairoj Wor Wolapon was given the points winner to the great surprise of the public. To calm the crowd, the official manager had to announce the cancellation of the verdict, the result was a match without winner.
On December 24, Orono faced Pairoj Wor Wolapon again. Pairoj held the Lumpinee belt in 135 lbs which he had put into play against Orono. After a great fight, Orono won the match on points and conquered the Lumpinee belt in 135 lbs!
Orono and Pairoj met a year later, on December 24, 1995, in the stadium of Lumpinee, and Orono won the match by KO. The match was voted “Best Fight of the Year” by the “Association of Sports Journalists of Thailand”.
In 1994, Orono was voted “Best Boxer of the Year” by the prestigious Sport Writers Association of Thailand.
Orono faced and beat the best champions of his time such as Jongsanan Fairtex, Pichai Wor Wolapon, Pairoj Wor Wolapon (KO), Krekchai Sor Khettalingchan, Tuktathong Por Pongsawang, Neunthong Singkiri, Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj (2 times), Sakmongkol Sitchuchok, Rodtang Wor Thaweekiet, Nuathoranee Wor Thaweekiet, Namkabuan Nong Kee Pahuyuth, Den Muangsurin, Namphon Nong Kee Pahuyuth (2 times), Somchai Sor Nanthana (KO), Dejpitak Sityodtong, Saenchai Kiatworawut, Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong, Suriya Sor Ploenchit, Kompayak Singmanee, Praphayree Sitphraphom, Jirasak Por Pongsawang, Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, Rambo Pongsiree, Cherry Sor Wanich!
Orono is undoubtedly one of the Thai champions of the 90s who met the most foreign fighters.
At age 19, in 1993, Orono defeated the legendary Dutchman Ramon Dekkers in Bangkok. He won again against the Dutchman in 1995.
Orono faced champions such as Farid Villaume (Lose), Mickael Lieuwfat (Win by KO), Morad Sari (1 win, 1 lose), Soren Eminentair (Lose), John Wayne Parr (1 win by TKO, 1 lose), Dany Bill (2 Losses), Stephane Nikiema (Win), Jean-Charles Skarbowsky (2 losses including one by TKO, 1 draw), Vlad Malko (Win by TKO), Djimé Coulibaly (Lose).
Orono was a long-time coach at the famous 13 Coins Resort Gym in Bangkok.
Orono Wor Petchpun (Sitjepayao, Majestic) whose real name is Opas Iamsaa, was born on August 21, 1978 in the town of Sai Noi in the province of Nonthaburi. He then grew up in the town of Song Phi Nong in the Suphanburi region.
Orono was formed in boxing at the Sitjepayao camp which was located in Song Phi Nong in Suphanburi province. Then he fought for many years for the Wor Petchpun Gym of Khru Wayphot Petchpun, a camp which was located in Nakhon Ratchassima.
Nicknamed “Sam O Suphan (Three O’s of Suphan Buri)”, Orono was a great champion who made 160 fights for 120 wins, 37 losses and 3 draws. This ring technician beat the best champions of the 2000s, he defeated the terrible Yodsaenklai Fairtex twice by KO and defeated the legendary Buakaw Por Pramuk and Saenchai Sor Kingstar by points. Orono also beat the great champions Nongbee Kiatyongyut, Singdam Kiatmuu 9, Attachai Fairtex, Kaew Fairtex, Petchmankong Sit Or, Lerdsila Chumpairtour, as well as foreign champions like Damien Alamos (KO), Warren Stevelmans, Faldir Chahbari!
Orono won his first major belt by beating Phet Ek Sor Suwanpakdee for the WMC world champion belt in 122 lbs. Then, he conquered the title of champion of Thailand in 126 lbs against the star Kongpipop Petchyindee. Orono won his second Thailand championship belt by beating Tongthai Por Bunpha for the Thailand belt in 130 lbs.
On December 17, 2007, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Orono won the Lumpinee belt in 130 lbs. Orono beat the legendary Saenchai Sor Kingstar in a very hard fight where the King of rings Saenchai finished with a bloody head!
On Saturday, December 19, 2009 in the stadium of Lumpinee, Orono won the Wrangyer tournament by beating in the final Panpetch Chor Na Phatthalung and pocketed the sum of 500,000 baths.
Orono also conquered three world champion’s belts, he was WPMF world champion in 140 lbs, WFCA world champion in 147 lbs and It’s Show Time world champion in 147 lbs!
This great champion became a trainer in the renowned Evolve MMA Muay Thai Gym in Singapore.
Orono Muangsima, whose real name is Nee Wisoramai, was born on 22 October 1984 in the town of Bang Pa-In in the province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayuthaya. He was formed at the Muangsima camp in Samut Prakarn, the Khru Jamnong Muangsima camp.
Nicknamed “Sam O of Ayutthaya”, Orono was a boxer who had heart in the ring, he was both Muay Bouk (Boxer who advances) and Fimeuu (Technique), his front leg was powerful and his Tei Kan Ko (High kicks) very formidable.
Orono made 120 fights for 90 victories and 30 defeats, he often fought in the stadiums of Radja and TV7, two of the biggest stadiums in Bangkok, he faced great champions like Pornsanae Sitmonchai (Lose), Daenchai Thor Silachai (Win), Saksurin Kiatyongyut (Win), Lamtong Por Bonchai (Win), Denkiri Sor Sommai (Lose), Kwanpichit 13Reanresort (Win), Chatchanoi Sitbenjama (Win), Aikpracha Meenayothin (Lose), Nong B Kiatyongyut (Lose), Phuja Sor Suwanee (Lose), Thongchai Thor Silachai (Lose)!
Orono won the Radja champion’s belt in 112 lbs against the mighty Kwanpichit 13Reanresort (Radja Champion). He was also S1 World Champion, WMA World Champion and WPMF World Champion.
In 2014, Orono (30 years) beat young Sofiane Bougossa at the Best Of Siam 5 show in Paris. Orono came to fight again in France in 2018 where he lost by KO against the champion Mohamed Galaoui at the TEK Fight show and in 2019 at event La Nuit Du Muay Thai, he lost on points to Giovanni Boyer.
Orono Muangsima had a reputation as a “Bad Boy” because he often had problems with justice. His biggest media case was in 2013, when the police came to arrest him at the Radja stadium just after his fight. He had been accused of burglary by his former girl friend, a Hungarian boxer who claimed to have been robbed in his room for 200,000 baht (cash, video camera, camera, jewelry). Orono always denied the theft of these objects and money by saying that it was two friends of his, that he had lodged for a night, who had made this burglary in the apartment that he shared with his girl friend…
The latest case of the sulphurous Orono is his suspension for doping. Orono Muangsima was officially suspended from international sporting events for 4 years, from March 3, 2019 to March 3, 2023. The French Sports Doping Control Office has detected doping substances in Mr. Wisoramai’s urine. This check was carried out after his fight at the TEK Fight show, on March 3, 2018 in France…
Orono Sor Sakulphan (Tawane), whose real name is Watit Raksajun, was born on June 8, 1986 in the village of Talaenoi which is located in the Phatthalung region of southern Thailand. Watit comes from a family of five children, several of whom have become boxers. His big brother Naysomkit Raksajun, born June 29, 1982, was a great champion who fought under the name of Sakapetch Sor Sakulphan (Ingram Gym).
Watit first fought under the name of Sakathong Kietkisikida in his father’s small camp. At the age of 15 years, he joined the Sor Sakulphan camp of Khru Somchai Sakulphan which is located in Kanchanaburi (Central Region of Thailand 150 Km from Bangkok) and adopted the name of fighter of Orono Sor Sakulphan. He was nicknamed “Sam O Muang Kan” (3 O from the town of Kanchanaburi).
Orono, along with his brother, then fought virtually his entire career for camp Sor Sakulphan.
Sor Sakulphan Gym was a camp of great fighters which included champions like Saengphet Sor Sakulphan (Radja Champion in 108 lbs, WBO World Champion in Boxing), Michael Sor Sakulphan (Lumpinee Champion in 115 lbs, WMC World Champion ), Mithaï Sor Sakulphan (Lumpinee Champion in 130 lbs), Pornpitak Sor Sakulphan (Lumpinee Champion in 126 lbs) and Sakapetch Sor Sakulphan.
Sakapetch became a big star by winning the Lumpinee belt in 130 lbs against Singdam Kiatmuu9, the Lumpinee belt in 135 lbs against Samranchai 96 Peenong, the Radja belt in 130 lbs against Yokthanu Petchnangnut and in 2002 he won the famous Tournament Mitsubishi. Sakapetch then represented for several years the famous Ingram Gym in Bangkok. Sakapetch also beat great champions such as Orono Wor Petchpun, Yodsaenklai Petchyindee, Jean-Charles Skarbowsky (Referee Stoppage), Lakhin Sakjaowee, Khunphinit Kiattawan.
Orono Sor Sakulphan won the Radja stadium belt in 112 lbs and beat the champions Saenchainoi Toyotarayong, Komphet Petchrajabhat, the star Thongchai Thor Silachai and knocked out the terrible Bowee Sor Udomson!
Orono Eminent Air, whose real name is Narawut Thumilamnaode, was born on January 15, 1988 in the village of Ban Khok Phek in the Sisaket region. Formed in the Chor Thanaphon camp, he first fought under the name of Orono Chor Thanaphon. Then, he joined the famous Eminent Air camp in Bangkok. He represented the Eminent Air Gym for several years.
The Eminent Air Gym of Mr. Somboon Niruttimetee included great champions like Tapaothong Eminent Air (Lumpinee champion, TV7 champion), Neugthep Eminent Air (Lumpinee champion, world champion WMC), Rung Ubon Eminent Air (Omnoi champion), Satanfaa Eminent Air (TV7 champion), Chook Eminent Air (TV7 champion), Kongfah Udonmuang (Lumpinee champion) and superstar Jomhod Eminent Air (Radja champion, TV7 champion, S1 world champion, M-One world champion).
Orono was a solid boxer who made a lot of very hard fights especially in the stadium TV7 of Bangkok, he fought in the category of 118 lbs then in 122 lbs. In 2008, Orono reached the final of the famous Tiger Ciment TV7 tournament (Muayrop Poun Seua), he lost on points against Thongsuk Singpatong. Orono beat fighters, in the stadium TV7, like Nongbee Sitsarawatjiraphong (KO), Keng Siam Nor Sri Phueng. Jairak Sor Kamsingh, Singseuk Tedeed 99, Mahaiswan Sakdinirandantan, Payakmeuasan, Payakusan Siyubon!
Orono Sitbenjama (Thor Bangsaen), whose real name is Tongchai Podram, was born on March 17, 1991 in the town of Lumpuk in the Buriram region. He was formed at the Por Plukram camp in Buriram. His first fighter name was Kaenpetch Por Plukram.
Then, he integrated the Sitbenjama camp in the province of Chachoengsao and took the name of Orono Sitbenjama. The Sitbenjama Gym is the camp of the star Chatchanoi Sitbenjama (Radja champion, WMC world champion, S1 world champion).
Orono was nicknamed “Sam O Phoukhaofay” (Volcano 3 O) and fought in the 115 lbs category. In the big stadiums of Bangkok, he has beaten champions like Chatpetch Kiatitawon (KO), Khochasanoi Singkhlongsi, Saenthanong Thor Silachai (KO), Lamnampong Sitkhumeuk, Daenjandee Djandeeloha, Thaweesak Singkhlongsi, Kongpanlek Sakamnuay, Taewa Sitma.
Orono Yong 101, from Roi Et region, is 26 years old, he then fought under the name of Kong Danai Sor Sommai. In 130 lbs, in the 2010s, he was well classified in the stadiums of Lumpinee and Radja where he beat good fighters such as Muangfahlek Por Phetsiri, Extra Sor Sirilack, Cholasit Kiatpoonphol, Sakchainoi M.U. Den, Sirimongkol P.K. Saenchai Muay Thai Gym, Kochasarn Wor Wiwattananon, Yodsiam Sor Jor Vichitpedriew, Yamean Sor Jor Vichitpedriew, Changsuk Kiatsongrit.
Orono Tor Taotai, from the Uttaradit region, often fights in the Max Muay Thai stadium, in the – 70 Kg category, he notably beat Petchsayrung Sitjasayrung and fought for the belt The Champion Muay Thai against Boonlung Puifoeman who beat him to points. Orono also fought a lot against foreign fighters such as the Australian Hayden Lyon (Defeat), the Americans William Whipple (Defeat) and Warren Stavone (Defeat), the French Jean Savigny (Victory), the Brazilian Daniel Morales (Defeat), English Joshua Hill (Loss), Argentinian Brian Alleveto (Defeat), Ukrainian Artur Zakirko (Defeat), Swiss Gligor Stojanov (Victory).
Orono Thor Tamararit Gym, whose real name is Kiattipong Kumsawat, is from Sa Keo, he is 23 years old. Orono is a real phenomenon, he is not tall but very brave, in his category in 108 lbs, he often fights in the stadium of Radja and in the Max Muay Thai stadium of Pattaya. Orono notably beat Petchmaesot Or Sanitphan, Bigben Talatkondeunpleonmuang, Komfek N.P. Boxing Gym (KO).
Orono Chor Petchmuangkhon comes from Nong Bua Lamphu, he is an 18-year-old who is currently riding in the Bangkok stadiums circuit in the 118 lbs category, he was champion of the province of Buriram in 108 lbs in 2019.
