SILAPATHAI JOCKY GYM

Temps de lecture : 6 minutes

INTERVIEW OF SILAPATHAI JOCKYGYM

by Serge TREFEU (2021)

Hello how are you ?

SILAPATHAI: Still in shape, I’m fine

How old are you ?

I am 46 years old

You were born in which region of Thailand?

I was born in the village of Nhongharn in the province of Udon Thani in the region of Isaan. Same area as Pipa who was head trainer at Jocky gym

Do you have children?

I have two boys

Are your kids boxing?

You have brothers and sisters ?

I have four sisters. I’m the only boy and the youngest in the family (Laughter)

THE FAMILY OF YOUNG ADUL KHUNNOI (BIRTH NAME OF SILAPATHAI), WITH HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND THREE OF HIS SISTERS

Were you a brawler when you were a kid?

Yeah, a little bit, just at school and with my sisters (Laughter)

How old did you start boxing?

Around 10 years old

How did you discover Thai boxing?

My father had a little boxing camp. And I had lots of friends who were boxing, seeing them training, it made me want to practice this sport

SILAPATHAI START BOXING VERY EARLY AT 10 YEARS OLD

Your father was a professional boxer?

Yes, he fought a lot in Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. But he never fought in Bangkok

Your family lived on boxing?

No, my parents are farmers, they worked in the rice fields, and they also sell vegetables on the market. But my father has been a boxing enthusiast for a long time…

MR AND MRS KHUNNOI, THE PARENTS OF YOUNG ADUL KHUNNOI ALIAS SILAPATHAI

Your first fight you did at what age?

When I was 11, I won 20 baht (0.55 euros)

You started boxing in which camp?

At the Sit Poonsak camp, my father’s camp

Did you fight a lot for this camp?

Not a lot, I must have done about twenty fights for this camp

At what age did you come to Bangkok to fight and in which camp?

I came to Bangkok very young, I was 12 years when I arrived at Jocky Gym. It was Pipa (Jocky Gym Trainer) who took me to Bangkok. Pipa is from the same village as me and he knew my father

Have you always stayed at Jocky Gym?

I fought until I was 28 years for the Jocky Gym, Khru Somat was my manager. And then, a little bit for the Nor Sripeung Gym in Bangkok

SILAPATHAI WITH MR SOMAT HONG SAKOUN WHO HAS BEEN THE OWNER, SINCE 1974, OF THE MOST FAMOUS CAMPS IN BANGKOK, THE JOCKY GYM

Did you have your own room at Jocky Gym?

I shared my room with other boxers

SILAPATHAI LIVED HER CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE WITH THE BIG TEAM OF JOCKY GYM, HIS SECOND FAMILY

Which champions were at Jocky Gym when you fought for this camp?

There were a lot of them, at the time the Jocky Gym was one of the biggest camps in Bangkok, there was Wangwisep, Robert, Rolek, Platong, Somrak, Thongdee, Thepabut, Yodthongchai, Wannarong, Singnoi …

Have you won belts from the big stadiums in Bangkok?

I won the Radja stadium belt twice. In 1991, the Radja belt in 108 lbs against Namkabuan Ratchapeutkafe, in 1994, the Radja belt in 122 lbs against Chamophet. In 1991, I won the special belt of “Best boxer of the year of the stadium of Radja”!

In which category you fought?

In 122 lbs and in 127 lbs

How much did you make of fights?

I have had 190 fights. 160 wins. 27 losses and 3 draws

Did you win a lot of fights by KO?

About twenty fights won by KO

What style of boxing did you have?

I was Fimeuu (Technician)

In which stadiums have you most often fought?

I fought a lot in the stadium of Radja. I had about 60 fights in Radja. In the stadium of Lumpinee, I made 6 fights and 6 fights in the stadium of Omnoï

At what age did you make your first fight in the stadium of Radja?

At 14 years!

Who are the known opponents that you have faced?

There were many, Samkor, Veeraphol, Karuhat, Lakhin, Boonlay, Kaensak, Chamophet, Singdam, Namkabuan, Saenklay, Nungubon, Prabseuk…

Against which opponent did you fight the hardest?

My fights against Veeraphol were very tough, we faced each other three times, I beat him twice on points and he beat me once by KO, a match that counted for Radja’s belt in 115 lbs…

Your best memory of fighter?

My victory against Samkor (Lumpinee Champion) in the stadium of Lumpinee. At the time, Samkor was the No. 1 in the category and was the reigning Lumpinee champion. My victory against Lakhin is also a good memory because he was very powerful and feared at the time

Have you ever fought abroad?

I’ve already fought twice in Hong Kong with two wins

Do you know any French champions?

Chong Skarbowsky and Stephane Nikiema are my friends. Stephane, I’ve known him for over 25 years!

SILAPATHAI AND THE CHAMPION JEAN-CHARLES SKARBOWSKY HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS

SILAPATHAI AND THE GREAT CHAMPION STEPHANE NIKIEMA OFTEN TRAINED TOGETHER IN THE 90S

Who do you think is the best foreign nakmuay?

Chong Skarbowsky, he was very strong!

Did you win good purses when you fought?

Yes, I won purses of over 200,000 baht. I bought a house in Udon Thani thanks to boxing

Who was your promoter at the time?

It was Mister Khounseu, promoter at Radja

Who do you think is the best nakmuay in Thailand today?

Today, I am not sure. But Saenchaï Sor Kingstar was the best for a long time!

Did you have a favorite technique in Muay Thai?

I really liked the tips (Front kick), it was one of my favorite techniques

Have you now become a coach?

Right, I trained for a while in a camp in Rayong (Not far from Pattaya). And every once in a while, I also trained at Jocky Gym in Bangkok, my old camp. Today I am a trainer in Skarbowsky Gym camp in Bangkok, Chong (Skarbowsky) bought Jocky Gym camp and named it “Skarbowsky Gym”

SILAPATHAI COACHES SKARBOWSKY GYM IN BANGKOK (FORMERLY JOCKY GYM)

Precisely, we saw you in France in the boxing gym of the champion Jean-Charles Skarbowsky in Paris, was it the first time that you came to France?

Yes, I came to France because Chong asked me to be a coach in his gym in Paris

How long did you stay at Skarbowsky Gym in Paris as a coach?

About three months

SILAPATHAI AT THE SKARBOWSKY GYM IN PARIS, THE THAI CHAMPION WAS COACHED IN THE TWO SKARBOWSKY GYM, IN THE 20EME DISTRICT AND IN THE 18TH DISTRICT

What do you think of the level of the French nakmuays?

In France, it’s not like in Thailand, there are a lot of beginners and very few professional boxers. But I find that the French really like the “Fimeu” (Technique) style, they ask to know all the possible techniques of Muay Thai!

How was your stay in France?

Very good, I visited Paris, I loved this city. My stay went well, just the cold, it was not very pleasant (Laughter)

THE SILAPATHAI CHAMPION IN PARIS

Thank you very much and chookdee for your future projects

Thanks for the interview

Silapathai is considered one of the greatest boxers of his generation. Pipa, Jocky Gym’s head coach says of Silapathai that he was the best boxer for him in the Jocky Gym camp.

THE BEAUTIFUL ERA OF THE MYTHICAL CAMP JOCKY GYM WITH THREE GREAT CHAMPIONS OF RADJA, SILAPATHAI (RADJA CHAMPION IN 108 LBS AND IN 122 LBS), WANGWISEP (RADJA CHAMPION IN 126 LBS), PLATONG (RADJA CHAMPION IN 108 LBS)

Silapathai was nicknamed “Jomsopklap” (The back elbow specialist) following his magnificent knockout with an back elbow on the Radja champion Khomsan Saknarin. Silapathai was also nicknamed “Jomtip 116” (The 116 fronts kicks) because he mastered wonderfully the techniques of Front Kick.

THE FAMOUS TIPS OF SILAPATHAI ARE TO SHOW IN ALL SCHOOLS OF MUAY THAI

This genius of the rings, king of dodges, was one of the best technicians of the 90s.

SILAPATHAI WOULD LOVE TO PLACE HIS SUPERB TEI KAN KO (HIGH KICK)

Silapathai was champion of Radja in two different categories. On December 23, 1991, at only 17 years old, he won the Radja belt in 108 lbs against Namkabuan Ratchapeutkafe who was a great champion of Lumpinee (Not to be confused with star Namkabuan Nong Kee Pahuyut). That year 1991, Silapathai was undefeated with 11 fights made for 10 wins and a draw. Silapathai received the trophy of “Best boxer of the year in the stadium of Radja”, the high dignitaries of the stadium of Radja gave him a special belt which is offered on rare occasion!

17-YEAR-OLD RADJA CHAMPION

THEY ARE RARE THE CHAMPIONS WHO HAD THE HONOR OF WINNING THE SPECIAL BELT OF “BEST CHAMPION OF THE YEAR FROM THE RADJA STADIUM”

Three years later, at 20 years, on April 27, 1994, Silapathai defeated the legendary Chamophet Ha Phalang (5 Radja belts, 4 Lumpinee belts, Best boxer of the year 1985) for the Radja belt in 122 lbs, Chamophet was 32 years old and was the reigning Radja champion.

20-YEAR-OLD RADJA CHAMPION

SILAPATHAI AGAINST CHAMOPHET FOR THE RADJA BELT IN 122 LBS

1994 was one of the best years of his career, Silapathai made 10 fights with 8 victories and 2 defeats, he beat in the stadium of Radja Khomkiet Sor Thanikul, Ekachai Soungkeelanongkee, Jaiphet Sor Worapin, Chamophet Ha Phalang (For the belt of Radja in 122 lbs), Boonlay Sor Thanikul by KO in the second round, he lost in points against Chengnern Sitputapim, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Silapathai beat Karuhat Sor Supawan, Kaensak Sor Ploenchit, Samkor Kietmontep and lost in points against Meechok Sor Ploenchit!

This phenomenal technician has beaten ring stars such as the terrible punchers Lakhin Wassantasit (Radja champion in 115 lbs in 1991, Winner of the Isuzu Tournament in 115 lbs in 1992, Omnoi champion in 140 lbs in 2004, Winner of the Tam Jai tournament in 140 lbs in 2004, undefeated in Boxing) who was nicknamed “Mat Phayayom” (The puncheur from hell) and Veeraphol Sahaprom (Radja champion in 108 lbs, in 112 lbs and in 115 lbs, world champion in Boxing WBA and WBC, 46 victories by KO in boxing). Silapathai twice beat “The Death Mask” and Veeraphol beat him once by KO.

SILAPATHAI AGAINST “THE PUNCHER OF HELL” LAKHIN WASSANTASIT

SILAPATHAI AGAINST THE TERROR OF THE RINGS “DEATH MASK” VEERAPHOL SAHAPROM

Silapathai defeated the super technicians of the rings Samkor Kietmontep (Lumpinee champion in 122 lbs, Lumpinee champion in 130 lbs, Lumpine champion in 135 lbs, Thailand champion in 135 lbs), Karuhat Sor Supawan (Lumpinee champion in 112 lbs and in 122 lbs) who was nicknamed Aysiya (The Wonder boy), Kaensak Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee champion in 112 lbs, Radja champion in 112 lbs, Best boxer of the year 1989 and 1990), Saenklai Sit Kruod (Lumpinee champion 118 lbs, WMC world champion in 122 lbs), a victory for Silapathai, a victory for Saenklai, the durables boxers Tukkatatong Por Pongsawang (Lumpinee champion in 108 lbs) and Duansongpong Por Pongsawang.

THE TWO GREAT TECHNICIANS OF THE RINGS SILAPATHAI AND KARUHAT CONFRONTED TWICE, WITH A VICTORY EACH

SILAPATHAI BEAT IN 1994 THE STAR KAENSAK SOR PLOENCHIT (BEST BOXER OF THE YEAR 1989 AND 1990)

SILAPATHAI BEAT RUGGED TUKKATATONG

Silapathai is one of the few to have knocked out the immense champion Boonlay Sor Thanikul (Lumpinee champion in 115 lbs and 122 lbs).

SILAPATHAI AGAINST THE GREAT CHAMPION BOONLAY

Silapathai also beat the formidable champion of Radja Prabseuk Sitsantad (1 victory, 1 loss, 1 draw), the champions Khomkiet Sor Thanikul, Phet Ek Sor Suwanpakdee (KO), Arunee Sakyindee (2 wins, 1 loss), Wichan Sitchuchok, Meechok Sor Ploenchit (1 win, 1 loss), Ekachai Soungkeelanongkee, Jaiphet Sor Worapin, Petnamek Sor Siriwat, Dentoranee Dawee!

SILAPATHAI AND PRABSEUK CONFRONTED THREE TIMES IN ALWAYS VERY CLOSE MATCHES

SILAPATHAI AND THE SOLID KHOMKIET (N° 1 OF THE RADJA) CARRIED OUT A TERRIBLE BATTLE WITH JOMSOPKLAP’S VICTORY

SILAPATHAI AND ARUNEE CONFRONTED THREE TIMES, TWO WINS FOR SILAPATHAI AND ONE VICTORY FOR ARUNEE

SILAPATHAI DEFEATED YOUNG CHAMPION PHETNAMEK SOR SIRIWAT IN ONE OF THE LAST MAJOR SILAPATHAI BATTLES, ON AUGUST 21, 2000, AT RADJA STADIUM. AT THE END OF HIS CAREER, SILAPATHAI WAS TRAINING AT NOR SRIPEUNG CAMP IN BANGKOK, FIGHTING UNDER THE NAME SILAPATHAI NOR SRIPEUNG FOR A WHILE AT 127 LBS

SILAPATHAI WAS PART OF THE TOP TEN OF THE BEST CHAMPIONS OF THE YEAR 1995 AS PART OF LEGENDS SUCH AS NAMKABUAN, CHAMOPHET, SAENKLAI, SAMKOR, SANGTIENNOI, MATEE, CHATCHAI