This post is a long time coming. I met Bunkerd when I had moved to San Francisco in 1998. My roommate at the time was training with Alex Gong, Ganyao Bunkerd, Jongsanan and Enn at Fairtex in a grubby little strip of SOMA.
I remember walking in during one of the evening sessions, Introduced myself and told him I had never trained, he smiled told me to sit down and he began to wrap my hands. There was something quite familiar and comforting about him. I don’t think we spoke I just sat and watched as he attentively wrapped my hands, when he was finished he motioned towards the ropes and told me to skip, and see him when I was done.
That day he took me through the basics… and that was really the beginning of our relationship. In the middle of showing me kicks or knees he would tell me stories about fights, his childhood, his life. You could honestly make a movie of his life… like many a nak muay he started life a very poor child working the rice paddies of Thailand. He once told me that his family would be paid a sack of rice for his work during the entire rice harvesting season.
It was strange, as many Thai’s as there were in SF; I seemed to be the only one training muaythai at Fairtex. I was the only Thai who was running around the gym who wasn’t a fighter. I think for that reason, Bunkerd was always quite protective of me, making sure I was being looked after or that I wasn’t thrown into the ring with someone who was going to try to kill me. Ganyao on the other hand came from the “sink or swim “school, of Muay Thai and relished the chance to throw me to the lions on many occasions.
Over the years we grew very close, looking out for each other as best we could. He would train me and I would answer loads of questions around western etiquette, and how to get his teenage son to stop ditching school.
When Bunkerd decided to leave Fairtex, after 20+ years it was really a no brainer to me where I was going to go. It was quite a big deal at the time; he went back home to meet with Fairtex boss Philip Wong to get his blessings.
In 2003 Bunkerd and a long time student and friend Chris Carisaso joined forces to open up Fight and Fitness in SF. They’ve come a long way. The gym is going strong, Chris Cariaso now fights in the UFC.
Moving to London has obviously put some distance between our relationship. I visit when I’m back, but I miss our interactions. This video is long over due and bit underwhelming. No 5 min. interview could ever capture the gentle and fun loving spirit that he is.
August 22, 2011 at 12:34 pm
really interesting story, thanks!
August 22, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Great interview, I love Bunkerd, he is a great guy. He really loves muay thai and genuinely cares for his fighters. A true gem for american muay thai. I was there when this interview was done so i’ve been anticipating it, great work nop!
August 22, 2011 at 4:18 pm
To many of us who have trained with him for years, Bunkerd is not just our Muay Thai trainer but a great friend and family. Bang Bang!
August 22, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Btw, not a plus sign at the lower right. It’s a sign with CC… I was looking for that damn plus sign for a while…
August 22, 2011 at 5:57 pm
“You could honestly make a movie of his life…” you should make it happen!
Agree with everything you said, Nop! Especially the part about Ganyao- “sink or swim.” or get f**ked up! I remember my first box sparring session with a little known russian guy- very nice guy though…
August 22, 2011 at 6:12 pm
These manner of men make great role models, like tong po said…Make it happen=)!
August 22, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I got a chance to meet and train alongside Bunkerd during one of his seminars (Him and Master Cheetah). Bunkerd is a good man…very gentle, soft spoken but the thing that really got my intention was the smile on his face wich never seem to ever wanna disappear. He’s definitely a happy go lucky kinda guy and u would never guess that he had a tough upbringing. I definitely respect the man….I used to love watching his fights (ISKA used to be my best friend) and even in the ring that smiles just remained. His fight with Nesradine was pretty entertaining. Anyway, respect to the man Bunkerd!
August 23, 2011 at 12:20 am
Bunked is great! Really nice guy.
August 23, 2011 at 12:21 am
Bunkerd
August 23, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Spydaman…Bunkerd and Nasradine fought three times. All good fights. I wish I could have seen Bunkerd in his prime; as far as I know there is no film of him when he was winning stadium titles and boxer of the year awards. You guys at the old Fairtex were so lucky to be around Bunkerd, Enn, and Jonsanan when they were still fighting occaisionally. It must have been special to see ‘em getting ready for a fight. I would have loved to see Enn when he was fighting in Thailand. Enn is another special person…you’ll never meet nicer peoplethan he and Bunkerd. Hate to hijack Bunkerd’s thread, but what’s up with Fairtex closing in SF?
August 24, 2011 at 12:25 am
Forgot the “s” at the end of “fights”….lol…Thanx for the correction. I actually only remember seeing 2 but I’ll be searching for the 3rd one now.
August 23, 2011 at 8:01 pm
It was really special seeing Bunkerd, Enn, Jongsanan (and now Neungsiam) getting ready for fights. Bunkerd, especially, always gave it his all when training for a fight- he was tough as nails and a baaaad man. He never stopped being very respectful and nice.
As for Fairtex- monetary issues maybe? They still got 2 more in the bay area.
August 24, 2011 at 12:56 am
master cheetah?