THE MYTH SAMART
THE MYTH SAMART!
by Serge TREFEU (2014)
Samart was born on December 5th, 1962 in the village of Klong Khet in the province of Chachoengsao. His born name is Samart Thipthamai.
He arises from a large family among which three of his brothers were boxers. The biggest of the brothers of the family Thipthamai was called Manus nicknamed Pee Toui. As professional boxer, it’s him who will teach boxing to his little brothers Sompong, Kongtoranee and Samart!
The brother Thipthamai trained at their home and fought in their province under the name of “Lookhlongkhet”. Samart Lookhlongkhet makes his first fight in 1972 at the age of 10 in a holiday of province near home, he beats Petaroon Sitnimit in points and gains 40 bahts!
Towards the age of 12 years leaves in the province of Chonburi near Pattaya with his brother Sompong, later his brother Kongtoranee will join them. The brother Thipthamai trains for the camp Payakaroon where Samart is going to make about ten fights for this camp.
SAMART AND HIS BROTHER KONGTORANEE WERE VERY CLOSE!
Then, he integrates the Sityodthong camp, the camp which belonged to Master Yodthong Senanant . Samart is going to make all his career in the famous camp Sityodthong in the side of his older brother Kongtoranee Payakaroon.
SAMART ALONGSIDE HIS MENTOR YODTHONG SENANANT!
Kongtoranee nicknamed “Chad” will also become an immense champion who won five titles of champion of Lumpinee in five different categories and the trophy of ” Best boxer of the year ” in 1984!
KONGTORANEE (FIVE TIMES LUMPINEE CHAMPIONS) AND SAMART (FOUR TIMES LUMPINEE CHAMPIONS)!
From 13 to 15 years Samart is going to fight in provinces around Bangkok and in region of Chonburi a lot where he’s going to gained champion’s belt of the province of Chonburi!
CHAMPION OF PROVINCE!
He makes his first fight in a big stadium of Bangkok in 1978 in the category of 100 lbs, he’s only 15 years old. The young boy link the victories in Bangkok and becomes fast a small star!
YOUNG SAMART GO PLUNDER THE RINGS OF BANGKOK!
From 1980 till 1983 Samart is at the top of his Art, he faces the best of his category in 102 lbs, 108 lbs, 115 lbs and 126 lbs, and makes space in each of these categories!
In 1980, on February 29th, he beats Kongsamut Sor Tanikul and gains his first belt of Lumpinee in 102 lbs in only 17 years, he beats then Chavalit Sod Jitlada, Paruehuslek Sitchunthong, Bangkhlanoi Sor Thanikul, Prabpipop Lukklongtan. But on August 8th, he loses his belt of Lumpinee against Chamophet Ha Phalang, he takes his revenge then by beating Chamophet in points. And on November 11th, he faces Pounlak Sakniran for the belt of Lumpinee in 108 lbs, Samart beats Pounlak in points and gains his second belt of Lumpinee!
SAMART AGAINST KONGSAMUT FOR LUMPINEE BELT IN 102 LBS WITH GREAT PROMOTER SONGCHAI RATANASUBAN!
SAMART VS PARUEHUSLEK !
Year 1981 is still better for King of Boxing rings!
On January 13th, in Lumpinee, he beats again Pounlak Sakniran. On March 31st in the stadium of Lumpinee, he meets Singthong Prasopchai for the belt of Lumpinee in 115 lbs, Samart becomes a champion of the Lumpinee in 115 lbs!
In the stadium of Lumpinee, on April 28th, he beats Fonluang Luksadetmaepuanthong. On June 9th, he faces and beats Mafeuang Weerapon, the fight is terrible and will be elected ” Fight of the year in 1981 “!
On September 4th, in Lumpinee, he beats Paruhat Longnoen. And, on October 13th, in Lumpinee, he faces Samingnoom Sitibountham for the belt of Lumpinee, Samart gains his fourth belt of Lumpinee in the category 126 lbs!
SAMART VS SAMINGNOOM !
LUMPINEE CHAMPION AND ELECTED “BEST FIGHTER OF THE YEAR” IN 1981!
Samart ended the year by beating Kitty Sor Thanikul to the stadium of Radja, the November 9th!
1982 is also a big year because Samart is going to be defeated in the points only in front of legendary Dieselnoi. But during this Titan’s match, Dieselnoi (22 years) was at first 13 cms more than Samart (19 years) and especially, rare thing at that time for such a fight, Dieselnoi weighed about 3 kg more than Samart. The fight it’s made for 132 lbs , the category of Dieselnoi, Samart fought in the categories down between 122 lbs and 126 lbs…
At the beginning of the year 82, on January 15th, in Lumpinee, he beats unconquered Nongkai Sor Prapason (Best fighter of year 1980), Samart is the first one imposed a defeat on the terrible Nongkai!
Then, he beats formidable Padetsuk Pitnurachan (Best fighter of year 1979), on March 12th, in Lumpinee!
In the stadium of Radja, on May 10th, he meet up Padetsuk Pitnurachan whom he beats again in points!
On August 24th, in Lumpinee, Samart makes his first professional fight in Boxing, he beats Netmoi Sor Vorasingh!
Finally, on December 24th, in Lumpinee, he loses in points against Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn (Lumpinee Champion in 130 lbs, Best fighter of year 1982)!
THE FIGHT BETWEEN SAMART AND DIESELNOI ELECTED “BEST FIGHT OF THE YEAR” IN 1982 WITH LARGER PURSES OF 80’S, 350,000 BAHT FOR SAMART AND 400,000 BAHT FOR DIESELNOI!
In 1983 Samart continuous to beat every best fighters of moment!
In Lumpinee, on February 4th, he beats again Samingnoom Sitibountham and on April 15th, the bull Samransak Muangsurin!
In the stadium of Radja, on August 24th, he beats again Kitty Sor Thanikul and on October 13th, Rabout Sor Thanikul!
On November 11th, in Lumpinee, he beats again in points the great champion Chamophet Ha Phalang (Best fighter of year 1985)!
Samart ends the year with a shock waited by all the aficionados of Muay Thai. On December 28th, in the stadium of Radja, he faces the champion of the Radja Samart Prasarmit who has just beaten legendary American champion Don “Dragon” Wilson, Samart Payakaroon beats Samart Prasarmit in points!
SAMART VS SAMRANSAK !
SAMART VS CHAMOPHET !
SAMART PAYAKAROON VS SAMART PRASARMIT WITH THE GREAT PROMOTER KLEO THANIKUL!
Samart became the terror of boxing rings in Muay Thai, more people don’t dare to face him, then he moving towards in a career of Boxing…
In 1984, he will make a fight in Muay Thai in Paris against his fellow countryman Sorana Kietisak Krongka (Wattana Soudareth who is installed in France), it’s the first fight of Samart abroad that is going to beat Soudareth by stop of the referee in the fourth round!
Samart will return to Paris in 1986 to fight in Boxing against the Mexican Rafael Gandarilla whom he will beat in points!
From 1984 till 1987, Samart is going to fight practically only in Boxing.
On January 18th, 1986, in Bangkok, he gains the title of champion of the World WBC against the Mexican Lupe Pintor by beating by KO in the 5th round!
WORLD CHAMPION WBC OF BOXING!
SAMART AGAINST LUPE PINTOR WBC CHAMPIONSHIP WORLD!
Samart defends triumphantly his belt in front of Mexican Juan Meza that he beats by TKO to twelfth round on December 10th in Bangkok. But on May 8th, 1987, in Australia, in Sydney, he loses his trophy against Australian Jeff Fenech who beats him by KO in the fourth round…
Samart is going to make a remarkable professional career in Boxing with 21 victories (12 KO) and two defeats. He ends his career in the Noble Art on September 11th, 1994 by meeting the Venezuelan Eloy Rojas for the title of champion of the World WBA, Rojas will beat Samart by TKO in the eighth round…
In 1988, Samart back in the ring of stadiums of Muay Thai!
On May 26th, in Lumpinee, he meet up formidable Samransak Muangsurin whom he beats again in points. This year, Samart is also going to beat robust Nampon Nongkee Pahuyut, at first by stop on wound after a terrible battle of poke then in points during the revenge. The Lord of boxing rings will also put KO in the 1st round two great champions, Jaroentong Kiatbanchong and Panomthuanlek Ha Phalang (Best fighter of year 1986)!
SAMART VS SAMRANSAK
SAMART AGAINST NAMPON, A BLOODY FIGHT!
THE MATCH BETWEEN SAMART AND PANOMTHUANLEK ELECTED “BEST FIGHT OF THE YEAR” IN 1988!
April 1, 1989, in Pattaya, he met the legendary Put Lorlek (Best fighter of 1974), which in 37 years making a come back for an exhibition charity match …
SAMART AGAINST PUT LORLEK!
May 10th, 1989, in Lumpinee, emperor of boxing rings makes his fight of farewells in Muay Thai, he faces the puncher Wangchanoi Sor Palangchai (Best fighter of year 1993), Samart is going to be defeated in points…
SAMART VS WANGCHANOI !
SAMART DONE HIS FAREWELL TO HIS PUBLIC WITH HIS MASTER KHRU YODTONG !
But the boxing ring miss to King Samart, and in 1993 he come back fighting in Muay Thai. On October 2nd, in Paris, he meets German Murat Comert. Samart is going to destroy Comert who will abandon the fight in the third round!
SAMART IN PARIS AGAINST MURAT COMERT!
On December 5, for the King’s Birthday in Bangkok, he beat the talented Dutch champions Gilbert Ballentine and won a belt World Champion in 140 lbs!
SAMART VS BALLENTINE !
Only four days after his fight on 5 December in Bangkok, Samart flew to France and December 10 he will fight by knockout in the third round English Paul Lenehan!
SAMART VS LENEHAN !
Samart will also beat later the robust Dutch Michael Lewfat and Japanese Nizuma Shirato!
Samart is the only fighter who obtained three times the trophy from ” Best fighter of the Year “. Trophy awarded by the famous institution ” The Sport Writers Association of Thailand “. He received it prestigious trophy in 1981, 1983 and 1988. And, was elected best boxer of the year in 1986 by the famous international magazine ” The Ring “!
KING OF THE RINGS OFTEN MAKES COVER SPECIALIZED MAGAZINES!
Samart Payakaroon is a real legend in Thailand and for many specialists he’s considered as the nakmuay biggest of all times!
His blow of eye, his capacity of adaptation to all the fighters and his science of the boxing ring were phenomenal. His techniques of poke were so much perfected that some now are called ” Technique of Samart “!
SAMART WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST TECHNICIANS MUAY THAI!
HIS TIP (FRONT KICK) WAS SO PERFECT THAT BECAME A REFERENCE IN SCHOOLS OF MUAY THAI!
TECHNIQUES BY MASTER SAMART!
It’s a big star in Thailand because all what he began he always successfully whether the Muay Thai, the Boxing, the song or the cinema. His name was predestined for him because “Samart” wants to say ” The capacity ” in clear the one who is able of beginning and of making a success!
His fighter Payakaroon’s name wants to say ” The Tiger of the Dawn ” and his nickname was “Payakmat” who literally means ” The Tiger “. On the boxing ring his ferocity was legendary especially at the beginning of his career.
Samart faced several times great champions such as Chamuakpet Ha Phalang (2 victories, 1 defeat), Samransak Muangsurin (4 victories), Nampon Nongkee Pahuyut (2 victories), Chavalit Sod Jitlada (6 victories), Paruehuslek Sitchunthong (2 victories, 1 defeat, 1 draw), Bangkhlanoi Sor Thanikul (2 victories, 2 defeats), Kitty Sor Thanikul (4 victories), Samingnoum Sitibountham (4 victories), Padetsuk Pitnurachan (4 victories) and Pounlak Sakniran (2 victories)!
In Muay Thai, the “Tiger” was never put KO, he lost only in points against great champion as Diesel Noi Chor Thanasukarn, Chamuakpet Ha Phalang, Wangchanoi Sor Palangchai, Paruehuslek Sitchunthong and Bangkhlanoi Sor Thanikul!
This immense champion was also called “Baby Face Tiger“. Because in spite of his memorable fights in front of better of his time, Samart always remained “Handsome boy”!
Samart was enormously sought in the world of the showbiz in Bangkok. Baby Face Tiger posed in several magazines as Top model!
THE TOP MODEL “BABY FACE TIGER!”
Master Samart was also an appreciated actor because he shot in about twenty movies where there was often a leading part. As well as in many television series!
SAMART HEADLINES IN THE CINEMA!
THREE LEGENDS OF BOXING, SOMRAK, KHAOSAÏ AND SAMART IN A COMEDY VERY FAMOUS IN THAILAND!
SAMART IN FRENCH FILM OF KARIM DRIDI “RAGE”!
SAMART HE SHOT IN MANY TELEFILM!
SAMART WITH DIESELNOI AND STAR OF ACTION MOVIES JACKIE CHAN!
Samart it’s also tried in the song successfully by releasing several albums which are famous now in Thailand!
SAMART IS ALSO COMFORTABLE IN A RECORDING STUDIO AS ON A BOXING RING!
SOME BIG SUCCESS OF SAMART!
Finally, in 2010, he opened his own camp “Poptheeratham Gym“. Poptheeratham is his professor’s new name which is a homage to his former trainer ” Khru Yodthong “. He changed his surname Thipthamai by that of Poptheeratham in 2008. Now, it’s Samart Poptheeratham “The Master” who teaches his exceptional knowledge!
THE CAMP POPTHEERATHAM GYM!
MASTER SAMART IN PAOS!
SAMART WITH HIS WIFE!
SAMART IS A LEGEND BUT IT’S A HUMBLE CHAMPION AND APPROACHABLE IS A GREAT MAN OF KINDNESS!
SAMART PAYAKAROON
Name: SAMART THIPTHAMAI
Nickname: PAYAKMAT
Name of Teacher: SAMART POPTHEERATHAM
Date of Birth: December 5, 1962 (the same day as Her Majesty Bhumibol, Dec. 5, 1927)
Weight: 57 kg-60 kg
Record Thai Boxing
Number of fights: 150. 129 Wins. 19 Losses. 2 Draws
Title: Lumpinee Champion in 102 lbs, February 29, 1980, againstKongsamut Sor Tanikul
Lumpinee Champion in 108 lbs, November 11, 1980, againstPounlak Sakniran
Lumpinee Champion in 115 lbs, March 31, 1981, against Singthong Prasopchai
Lumpinee Champion in 126 lbs, October 13, 1981, against Samingnoom Sitthiboontham
World Champion in 140 lbs, December 5, 1993, against GilbertBallentine
Record Boxing
Number of fights: 23. 21 Wins. 2 Losses
Title: World Champion WBC, January 18, 1986, against Lupe Pintor
POPTHEERATHAM GYM
44/9 Moo.4 Soi Saimai 31 Saimai Road
Bangkok Thailand 10220
Tel : 084 707 7094