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Lud Fah Muaythai with Pong Lampang (25 July, 2011)
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04.08.2011
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 Hello everyone! It’s another update of this weekly Muaythai column, “Lud Fah Muaythai” by Pong Lampang.
Last weekend, even though I did not have a chance to visit my home or any of the provinces of Thailand, I had the opportunity to go on a mini tour of Bangkok and see the big program, the Grand Opening of the 2011 Thailand Vs Challenger Series. This major event was organised by Elite Boxing at River City Hall on the banks of the Chao Praya River on Saturday 23 July. The opening ceremony featured some very big names, including General Pichit Kulwanich, Mr. Songchai Ratanasuban, Mr. Chai Siripop and Madame Oh (Pariyakorn Ratanasuban). There was a very good atmosphere and the boxing ring looked like those from abroad. All 400 VIP tickets, including the standing tickets, were sold out for this event.
 For the results, in the first fight, Armin Black Dragon Swiss replaced Nonsai Sor Sanyakorn, who was delayed with a press conference in Germany. Armin’s opponent was Hong Kwong, a Chinese Santa boxer, in a 73 kg rule fight. Armin was able to pull off his traditional muaythai skills and defeated Hong Kwong. However, there was some controversy about this match when the Chinese boxer only followed the Santa and K-1 rules. In the first round, Armin stabbed his elbow right at Hong Kwong’s forehead which shocked the Chinese boxer who quickly got out of the ring and complained about the use of the elbow which is allowed in muaythai rules. Following some discussions, he continued the fight. However, Armin still proved stronger than Hong Kwong with his knee attacks and finally defeated the Chinese boxer comfortably on points.
 For the next match, Saiyok Pumpanmuang, 72 kg, fought against Bruce “The Preacher” Macfie, who was very well-prepared for this fight and would not give up at all. Saiyok, who was also in good shape, used left kicks to focus on his opponent’s right arm until Macfie screamed so loudly in pain that the whole arena could hear it. But Saiyok’s real weapon was actually his elbow stab in the last round that left Macfie covered in blood, and, in the end, Saiyok was the winner on points.
The staff of John Wayne Parr, who is scheduled to fight Saiyok next in a 72 kg weight fight, came to see the fight and also wanted to negotiate a change to the rules of the fight from Muaythai rules, in which the elbow is allowed, to K-1 rules instead.
It is the same situation as with Pretosium’s staff who also requested that Saiyok switch to K-1 rules because they considered the elbow to be too dangerous for the opponent. For the last 3 fights of Saiyok in France, Hong Kong and Thailand, his elbow stab has resulted in a total of 50 stitches for his opponents.
Let’s wait and see on this upcoming 7 August, 2011 in the Thai Fight program in Japan whether Ko Su Mang, Saiyok’s opponent, will be able to survive Saiyok’s elbow or not. The live broadcast will be provided for boxing fans on Channel 3.
 As for Kaoklai Kaennorsing, he was kicked early on by his American opponent, Cyrus Washington, but he fought back and stabbed his elbow into the head of his opponent causing Cyrus to bleed profusely. The referee called an end to this fight after only 3 rounds with Kaoklai winning by a TKO.
Next up was Saenchainoi Pumpanmuang and Antuan Siangboxing. The two smaller boxers were equally matched and fought a close battle with a fine display of muaythai skills and techniques but most of the cheering crowd were Antoine’s supporters and they were happy when the Frenchman scored a deserved win on points.
Next, Sualokkao Kor Klaivirat won on points against Valdet Gashi from Germany. The two boxers were equally matched, but after Sualokkao was announced as the winner of the fight, there was disappointment and boos coming from the foreign fans because they thought Valdet deserved to be the winner.
And lastly, the closing fight was Bernueng Top Kings Boxing versus Manasakd Sit Niwat. In the first round, Bernueng sent Manasakd to the canvas with a hefty punch. In the second round, Ber Nueng continued to attack but he just couldn’t finish the fight and he allowed Manasakd to fight back with knee attacks and elbow stabs. But Bernueng wasn’t to be stopped and he finally ended the fight with a powerful upper-cut that sent Manasakd to count sheep in his long sleep, ending the fight after only 2 rounds.
As for the next events in the series, Elite Boxing will be once again be holding a Thailand VS Challenger event as a co-promotion with One Songchai Promotions at the Queen’s Cup at Sanam Luang, Bangkok on August 12.
After that, they will be going to Germany for an event at Stuttgart’s Carl Benz Arena on 17 September, 2011. Famous muaythai superstars such as Saiyok Windysport, Samranchai 96 Penang, Nonsai Sor Sanyakorn, Armin Black Dragon Swiss and Saenchainoi Pumpanmuang will join this program.
After Germany, they will be going to Moscow and then back to Germany at the end of this year. As for Elite Boxing, it is becoming well recognized as a well-organized promoter which has been arranging fine projects and muaythai matches.
All Thailand VS Challenger events will be broadcast on EuroSport, ESPN/Star Sports, Fox Sport and various other TV cable channels from each region.
In other news, on Sunday night, we headed to the International Stadium in Rangsit, Pathumthani to see the Muaythai marathon (67 kg) between 2 Thai boxers and a foreign boxer competing for a 200,000 Baht cash prize as well as the Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Cup. For this program, General Chetta Thanajaro, president of the WMC, presided over proceedings. As for the result, Kornpetch Petchrajabhat, even though covered in blood, was able to defeat Sirichai Por Siripong on points and received the 200,000 Bath prize. Kornpetch had to come through an 11-round marathon (3 for first fight, 3 for second fight and 5 for the final) to earn the win, which was fully deserved.
Daniel Bill, the French Muaythai legend who fought many legends in Suek OneSongchai such as Cobal, Den Muangsurin, Sakdmongkol Sid Chuchok, Orono Por Muangubon, and Issara Sidkririn. Right now, Bill is taking on the role of promoter instead. On 9 September, he will take 4 Thai boxers – Palangchon Pumpanmuang, Sorakom Jockey Gym, Fahdechrit Windysport and Yodpetchek Petchcharoen – to fight against French boxers in a French island off the coast of Somalia. He also explained that Muaythai in the Africa region is in quite a boom and is growing because the local governments have been supporting it a lot. He added that he will arrange a Muaythai program once every 6 months and at the same time will continue to arrange programs in France as well.
In celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday in August, there will be many international muaythai programs. On 11 August, the WMC along with the WPMF (World Professional Muaythai Federation) will arrange a big event. Other than female muaythai boxing, there will be a match between a Thai and a French team. And on 12 August, Songchai Boxing team along with the WMC is in the progress of running a competition. The press conferences for both programs will be taking place soon.
By Pong Lampang
Source: Elite Boxing
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