Journaling - Readings, Muay Thai, Concepts and Articulations

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

Ran into this fight researching Lakhin for the upcoming MTL session. Somehow I didn't realize he had an entire boxing career after his Golden Age run at FOTY (parallel somewhat to how Muay Thai Samson his nemesis went into pro boxing), and THEN came back to Muay Thai and fought top guys, even giving up weight. I'm impressed.

In 2005 Yodsanklai wins the 147 lb Lumpinee belt, Lakhin would box again at 126 lbs. Lakhin finished his boxing career at 27-0-2 with 18 KOs. Lakhin had an extraordinary fight path, nearly winning a Golden Age FOTY in 1992 (probably missing out by losing the Samson Isaan trilogy that year). A very small bodied Muay Maat, its kind of amazing that he came back giving up weight in Muay Thai in his 30s, and even winning a WMC title vs Jaroenchai Kesagym (2005).

It's a great, illustrative fight on a classic Southpaw counter to a Muay Maat orthodox aggressor. Yodsanklai isn't throwing his big left kick as we would do so much in later years, but his knees are beautiful on the opens side, submarining the pocket, and the fight essentially comes down to Lakhin just being very tough and refusing to stop with the hooks and the body crosses, just trusting that they will eventually break through Yodsanklai's interference, and Lakhin definitely has his moments in the fight where it looks like he's going to get that ball rolling, a few landed punches ring Yodsanklai. Gamblers are cheering every punch at one point, but it just isn't enough. The cagey, small, heavy handed veteran vs the young rising star who would have a big future Internationally, fighting farang at higher weight classes.

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

I also didn't realize how much of Yodsanklai's career, his fame, came from fighting at those much larger weight classes vs farang, and of course Contender. He really is one of those strong Thais that in the stadia had mixed success at the highest stadia level, but then grew into the world of international fighters where he established an immense reputation. 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

I also didn't realize how much of Yodsanklai's career, his fame, came from fighting at those much larger weight classes vs farang, and of course Contender. He really is one of those strong Thais that in the stadia had mixed success at the highest level, but then grew into the world of international fighters where he established an immense reputation. 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

got curious so started making a list

Only 4 Fighters have 10 more Lumpinee and/or Rajadamnern Stadium belts and defenses...

Chamuekpet 9+3
Kongtoranee 5+7
Jongrak (Lukprabaht/Kaiadisorn) 3+8
Wichannoi 3+7

 

and only a few more with 6 or more:

Paruhatlek 5+4
Robert 3+6
Petchboonchu 6+3
Sam-A 3+6
Namsaknoi 3+5
Saenchai 6+2
Thongchai 5+3
Saenklai 2+6
Lamnammoon 4+3
Apidej 4+3
Den Srisothon 5+2
Anuwat 5+2
Nong-O 4+3
Mufuang 2+4
Singdam 4+2
Samart 4+2
Nongkai 2+4
Sagat 4+2
Namkabuan 1+5
Sagetdao 4+2

 

Lev helped me with the compilation. Everything pre-COVID (when things changed), probably incomplete

 

 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

Updated graphic for the above. It was enjoyable digging around in the records, creating a new nice of achievement and talent.