SINGDAM KIATMOO9 (CAREER 2000-2020)
SINGDAM KIATMOO9
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Singdam Kiatmoo9 of his real name Uthid Kodprakhon was born on 1 January 1984 in the village of Takotaphi, a village near Prakonchai in the province of Buriram.
Buriram is one of the poorest provinces in the northeast region, and the main resource here is agriculture. But the rice fields in this region do not produce as abundant harvests as in the north or central plain of the country. The very dry earth is quite ungrateful…
Uthid’s parents were farmers who worked in the area’s rice fields. Kodprakhon siblings have four children, three boys and one girl. The three boys have become boxers.
Young Uthid discovered boxing thanks to his older brother who was the first to train in a boxing camp. This camp was a few hundred meters from his home and was called the Kiatmoo9 Gym.
Uthid and his younger brother learned the basics of Muay Thai with their older brother who was a good boxer. At 9 years old, Uthid made his first fight. Then, a year after his debut, he joined the famous Kiatmoo9 camp with his little brother. Uthid took on the name “Singdam Kiatmoo9” and his brother, “Seuadam Kiatmoo9”. Seuadam then made a great career with more than 300 fights to his credit. But he did not have a record as prestigious as his big brother.
It is in the center of Takotaphi, a peaceful village, that Mr. Sutjai Pumprakhon, a true lover of Muay Thai, created the camp Kiatmoo 9.
Initially, it was mainly to train his two sons, whom he wanted to make great champions. Only, Joedja and Chanaphon, after a respectable career of more than 100 fights each, preferred to stop boxing to study. They fought many times in the big stadiums of Bangkok for the famous promoter Songchai Ratanasuban. Today, they are coaches in the camp and help their father promote the fighters.
The beginnings of the Kiatmoo 9 were not easy because the camp had no structure, just two striking bags hanging from a tree and a mat as a ring. Over the years Mr. Sutjai Pumprakhon has managed to develop his camp thanks to the good results of his fighters.
Indeed, the village of Takothapi is a breeding ground for young fighters. Almost all the nakmuays that were trained in the Kiatmoo 9 camp come from the same village. This is also what makes it strong, everyone knows each other since childhood, it’s like a big family. And for many young people in the village, Muay Thai is one way to take a different path than the one that will necessarily lead them to work in the fields…
With only one fight on a big night in Bangkok, a professional boxer will earn the equivalent of a year’s salary from a farmer. But the boxers of the Kiatmoo 9 do not forget where they come from and despite their pharaonic income, compared to those of other members of their family, they continue to help their parents in the difficult work. As with the rice harvest, everyone participates in this hard task!
Today, the camp has a proper infrastructure. A large covered ring, four striking bags and all the necessary equipment for daily training. The house that houses the camp is that of the owner, Mr. Sutjai Pumprakhon. In this camp, there is no room for boxers because they all have their family homes in the village, after the training everyone goes home to sleep.
Kiatmoo9 (Pronounced Kiatmou Khao) means “The famous village N°9”. The name of the camp “Moo 9” refers to the “Village N°9” in the Takothapi district. The camp is located in the village of Takothapi which is part of the district of the city of Prakonchai. Prakonchai is a town located 45 km from Buriram, in the heart of Issan. It is not far from the Cambodian border and the people of this province talk a lot about Khmer. In the villages, the inhabitants, in general, speak three dialects, Thai, Lao (Language of Issan) and Khmer (Language of Cambodia).
This small country camp has become one of the best camps in the country. Mr. Sutjai Pumprakhon has succeeded in the daring bet of transforming young provincial boxers into stars of the boxing rings.
This famous camp has received glorious trophies thanks to the fabulous champions it has produced. He was voted “Best Camp of the Year” in 2002 and 2013. It’s a performance when you know that this prestigious title has often been awarded to camps with much larger infrastructures such as Kaewsamrit Gym, Por Pramuk Gym, Lukbanyai Gym, Petchyindee Gym or Saengmorakot Gym.
In 2019, the owner of the Kiatmoo 9 and the champion Singdam teamed up with a passionate Muay Thai foreigner to open a second camp Kiatmoo 9. A camp that is more accessible to foreigners whether they are beginners or experienced in the Art of Muay Thai.
The «Kiatmookao Singdum Saint Denis Gym» was built right next to the old camp Kiatmoo 9. It is a large camp, well ventilated, with a brand new infrastructure. It opened in July 2019.
Mr. Gérard Cheung-Lung (A Frenchman from Reunion Island) is the owner of the Kiatmookao Singdum Saint Denis Gym which is an extension of the Kiatmoo 9 camp.
For many years, the coaches of Kiatmoo9 have trained spectacular boxers such as Panomrunglek (Lumpinee champion, Thailand champion, winner of the Isuzu tournament, Best boxer of the year in the Lumpinee stadium in 2004, WBC Youth world champion in Boxing) and his little brother Phetpanomrung (Champion of Thailand, world champion WMC, world champion Glory, winner of the Contender Glory tournament, winner of the Toyota tournament), Superlek (Champion of Lumpinee, champion of Thailand, world champion WBC, Best Boxer of the Year 2012) who is the nephew of Singdam, Wanchai (Lumpinee Champion, Thailand Champion), Rungnarai (Lumpinee Champion, Radja Champion, Thailand Champion, TrueFor4 Champion, Best Boxer of the Year 2018), Saksri (Lumpinee Champion) and best known of all, Singdam!
Singdam quickly became a small prodigy of Muay Thai, he fought a lot in his native region. At 13 years, he won the Northeast champion belt in – 36 kg.
Around the age of 15 years, Singdam began to fight in the big stadiums of Bangkok.
For their fight in the capital of the country, the Kiatmoo9 boxers have to go back and forth between Isaan (North-East Region) and Bangkok which is 400 km from the Buriram region. They leave by car around midnight and they arrive at 6 am in Bangkok for the weigh-in. Before their fight, they rest in a room in the afternoon, and right after their fight, they return directly to their village of Takotaphi…
At 17 years, in 2001, Singdam won his first important belt, he won the Toyota Marathon tournament in the 115 lbs category, he beat Kongdech Kiatprapat (TV7 Champion in 126 lbs) in the final!
A year later, Singdam conquered the title of champion of Thailand in 126 lbs by beating the star of the moment Orono Wor Petchpun. This year 2002 was superb for Singdam because he defeated great ring champions like Sakniran Tor Sittichai, Petchmanee Petsupapan and Petchdam Kiatprapat, as well as the two ring legends Orono Wor Petchpun (Lumpinee Champion in 130 lbs, Thailand champion in 126 lbs and 130 lbs, WMC, WPMF, It’s Show Time world champion) and Lerdsila Chumpertour (Radja champion in 115 lbs, 118 lbs and 122 lbs, WMC and WPMF world champion).
Singdam was voted “Best Boxer of the Year 2002” by the prestigious institution “Sports Writers Association of Thailand”!
2003 was again a great year for the young Singdam, he beat the stars Kongpipop Petchyindee (Lumpinee champion in 126 lbs, Thailand champion in 126 lbs, WBC world champion, winner of the Toyota Marathon and Kayanghadao tournaments), Nongbee Kiatyongyut (Lumpinee Champion in 105 lbs and 118 lbs, WMC World Champion), twice the legendary Samkor Kiatmontep (Lumpinee Champion in 122 lbs, 130 lbs and 135 lbs, Thailand Champion in 130 lbs, world WMC, winner of the Toyota Marathon tournament) and again the formidable Orono Wor Petchpun.
Singdam and Orono have faced each other 8 times with 5 wins for Singdam and 3 wins for Orono.
His fine performances in 2003 allowed him to be elected “Best Boxer of the Year” for the second time, a trophy given this time by the other great institution “The Sports Authority of Thailand”. The same year, he also received the trophy of “Best boxer of the stadium Lumpinee”!
In 2004, Singdam successfully defended his Thailand belt against Kongpipop Petchyindee, he also beat two big names of the moment, Yodsaenklai Petchyindee who had just won the Toyota Marathon tournament in 126 lbs and Sakapetch Ingramgym.
A year later, Yodsaenklai joined the famous Fairtex Gym and he became a superstar by later winning the Lumpinee belt, the Thailand belt, the WBC, WPMF, WMC, Thai Fight world champion belts.
Sakapetch and Singdam have met three times with one win for Singdam and two wins for Sakapetch. Sakapetch won the Lumpinee belt in 130 lbs against Singdam in 2005, he was then Lumpinee champion in 140 lbs and Radja champion in 140 lbs, he is one of the rare Thai champions who beat the star by KO Frenchwoman of the time, Jean-Charles Skarbowsky.
On May 4, 2004, Singdam suffered one of his toughest defeats against terrible puncher Anuwat Kaewsamrit who beat him by KO in the third round.
May 6, 2005, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Singdam found his old adversary, Orono Wor Petchpun for the title of Lumpinee in 130 lbs and the title of champion of Thailand in 130 lbs. Singdam won the match on points and won his first Lumpinee belt as well as a new Thailand belt in the 130 lbs category!
A month later, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Singdam challenged the lord of the boxing rings, Saenchai Sor Kingstar. After a memorable match, Singdam defeated King Saenchai (Lumpinee Champion in 115 lbs, 118 lbs, 130 lbs, 135 lbs, WMC, WPMF, WBC, Thai Fight, Best Boxer of the Year 1999 and 2008).
Singdam and Saenchai have met nine times, Singdam won four times, and Saenchai won five matches.
On September 27, 2005, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Singdam won the Wrangyer tournament in 130 lbs by beating the technician Kaew Fairtex (Lumpinee champion in 126 lbs and 130 lbs, WBC, WPMF world champion), an opponent he beat three times.
The following month, Singdam beat the great champion Nopparat Keatkhamtorn (Lumpinee Champion in 126 lbs and 130 lbs). Singdam and Nopparat have faced each other five times with two wins for Singdam and three wins for Nopparat.
In 2006, he lost his Lumpinee and Thailand belt in 130 lbs against Nopparat Keatkhamtorn.
Singdam made great confrontations in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, he beat in 2007 Attachai Fairtex (Lumpinee champion in 122 lbs and 130 lbs, Radja champion in 112 lbs, WMC world champion, Best boxer of the year 1997),
Jomthong Chuwathana (Radja champion in 118 lbs, 126 lbs, 130 lbs and 147 lbs, WMC and WBC world champion, Best boxer of the year 2006),
in 2008, Nong O Sit Or (Lumpinee champion in 122 lbs, 126 lbs, 130 lbs and 135 lbs, Radja champion in 135 lbs, Thailand champion in 126 lbs and 130 lbs, One Championship world champion, Best boxer of the year 2005 and 2010),
in 2009, again Kaew Fairtex and Lerdsila Chumpertour,
in 2010, Superbon Lookjaomaesaivaree (Champion of Thailand in 135 lbs, world champion One Championship),
in 2011, Sittisak Petpayathai (Lumpinee champion in 135 lbs, TV7 champion in 108 lbs, 122 lbs, 130 lbs and 135 lbs, Thailand champion in 130 lbs, Omnoi champion in 135 lbs, WPMF, WMO world champion),
Saketdao Petpayathai (Lumpinee champion in 126 lbs, 130 lbs and 135 lbs, Radja champion in 135 lbs, WBC, WPMF world champion, Best boxer of the year 2007 and 2009),
Petchboonchu FA Group (Champion of Lumpinee in 118 lbs, in 126 lbs, in 130 lbs and in 135 lbs, champion of Thailand in 105 lbs, in 108 lbs, in 112 lbs, in 122 lbs, in 135 lbs and in 140 lbs, champion of Radja in 140 lbs, WMC World Champion, Best Boxer of the Year 2013)
and F-16 Rachanon (Lumpinee Champion in 130 lbs, Thailand Champion in 135 lbs)!
The young king of knees, Petchboonchu, was one of his toughest opponents, the two champions having faced each other six times with two wins for Singdam and four wins for Petchboonchu. Petchboonchu beat Singdam for the Lumpinee title in 135 lbs in 2013 and in the 2014 Toyota Marathon tournament.
Singdam again won a title on June 8, 2012. In the stadium of Lumpinee, he met the No. 1 of Lumpinee, Wanchalerm Uddonmuang for the title of Lumpinee in 135 lbs. A belt he successfully defended against Nong O and Saenchai.
On June 7, 2013, Singdam lost his Lumpinee belt to Nong O. The two men met a month later with the titles of Lumpinee champion in 135 lbs and Thailand champion in 135 lbs at stake. Singdam has won a magnificent victory!
It was against the superb champion Nong O that Singdam fought the most. The two champions have faced each other 12 times, Singdam has won five times, Nong O has won six times and they have drawn one match.
2014 was a great year for the Black Lion of Buriram as he again won the famous Toyota Marathon tournament. In the category of 140 lbs, he beat by KO, the Frenchman John Gib, the Australian Jay Tonkin and on points, in the final, the King Saenchai.
On September 5, 2014, in the stadium of Lumpinee, Singdam won his third Lumpinee belt. He beat, in the 140 lbs category, the reigning Lumpinee champion, Sensatan Sor Suradej. A belt he defended in 2015 against Chamuaktong Sor Yupinda who robbed him of his trophy on points.
In 2014, Singdam also beat the stars Kongsak Sitboonmee (Lumpinee Champion in 126 lbs and 130 lbs, Thailand champion in 126 lbs, WMC world champion, Best boxer of the year 2010) and Chamuaktong Sor Yupinda (Champion of the Lumpinee in 140 lbs, Radja champion in 140 lbs, Omnoi champion in 147 lbs, WMC world champion). He lost to star Pakorn PK Saenchai Gym for the Lumpinee title in 135 lbs and to Nong O for the Radja title in 135 lbs.
Then, Singdam fought much less in the stadiums of Bangkok, he faced many foreign fighters with more or less success.
He met in particular champions such as the English Liam Harrison (Victory) and Jack Kennedy (Victory), the French Aziz Hlali (Defeat), Rayan Mekki (Victory) and Jérémy Payet (Victory by TKO), Australians Jake Moulden (Victory) and Alexi Petroulias (Victory), Russians Kazbek Kabulov (Defeat by KO) and Takhmasib Kerimov (Victory by KO), the Belgian Ali Makhi (Victory), the Swedish Mathias Jonsson (Victory), the Italians Cristian Faustino (Victory) and Christian Zahe (Victory), as well as several Chinese fighters, the best known of whom are Yang Zhuo (Defeat), Xie Lei (Victory), Tie Yinghua (Defeat by KO) and Zhang Shuai (Victory by KO).
On July 27, 2019, in Ireland, the old ring lion roared in the ring again by winning a resounding victory over Irishman Craig Coakley. Singdam won his last title, the WBC Diamond world champion belt at 147 lbs!
His longevity in the ring is phenomenal, Singdam has long been in the top 5 best fighters in Thailand.
An exceptional technician, especially with his knees and his High Kicks, Singdam beat the best champions of his time, he made 345 fights for 276 wins, 67 losses and 2 draws and he won ten belts. This remarkable record makes Singdam one of the greatest champions of his generation!
BY SERGE TREFEU