As in any sport and probably more so in Muaythai due to the rigorous demands on the body and spartan training regimes, the guys at the top rarely stay put for a long length of time. There is constant change in names vying for the top and many don’t last the course.
So who are some of the names to watch out for now, with the potential to be the Anuwat’s, Saenchai’s, Buakao’s of tomorrow? Bearing in mind that there is never any certainties in the sport and fighters can lose their form or motivation long before they have reached their full potential. Here is a list of a few of the potential stars of tomorrow, currently making waves on the Bangkok fight circuit.
Petpanomrung Sor Thamarangsi
Hailing from the renowned Kiatmuu9 camp in Buriram Province, Petpanomrung has a classic, stylish, technical style that has seen him already start to amass a solid collection of titles, while still in his teens.
Petmorakot Wor Sangprapai
This young Ubon Ratchathani native has already drawn comparisons with one of the earlier greats of the sport Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn, due to his freakish height and strong clinch and knee game.
Ekmongkol Gaiyanghaadao gym
Ekmongkol has shown a steady, strong development in the sport, beating most that are put in front of him and showing a strong fighting spirit in every performance.
Chokpreecha Kor Sakunsua
Every era has it’s great punchers, the kind of fighter that has the ability to end a fight in one shot, that can turn what looks like a sure defeat into a win with a single crushing blow. Chokpreecha, has shown already he has the power to be the next big hitting star and is already seeing big crowds drawn into Lumpini stadium to see if he can get the K.O or not.
Petsakon FA Group
Petsakon looks to be following in his famous stablemate Petboonchu’s footsteps with two title wins in his last two fights, but he is doing it his own way, with a silky, sharp, technical style.
Superbank Sakchaichote
Superbank is one of the hottest young names in uberpromoter Songchai’s stable of fighters. His performances in the previous year that saw him take the Ratchadamnern Mini-flyweight belt, were instrumental in his gym winning the gym of the year award for 2010
Lamnamoon Sakchaichote
Superbank’s stablemate Lamnamoon has been another of the talented young fighters on Onesongchai promotions that has shone in the last year, showing some sublime technical skills and a heart of a lion.
Prajantchai Por Petnamthong
Prajantchai is another of the shining young talents showcased by Songchai Ratanasuban, that has been making big waves on the scene in the last year. Known for his sharp technical skills and solid clinch and knee game and the ability to be able to take the action up a notch or two, whenever it is needed to get the win.
Thongchai Sitthongsak
Thongchai is a fighter that has come to prominence in the last year, known for his height and strength in the clinch and solid knees that have seen him beat off the challenge of many other young up and comers.
Yodwicha Por Boonsit
Yodwicha (pink shorts)
Yodwicha is another strong young talnet that has shone through in recent months, like Thongchai using his height well with a strong clinch and knee game.
Pompurn Kiatchongkao
Pompurn has come on strong in recent months with some solid wins against some big names and taking the Thailand title in the process.
The-lek Wor Sangprapai
The-lek has caught the attention of the fans from a young age, with his relentless action packed style that sees him go on the attack right from round 1 and has seen him nicknamed Samson 2, after the legendary Samson Isarn ‘Sanmuangnoi Lukjaophomehesak’
Detkart Por Pongsawang
Detart has made big waves since exploding on the scene last year. The 18 year old Udon Thani native has beaten pretty much everyone put in front of him and picked up two Ratchadamnern titles in the process.
Following on from this, don’t forget to check back on mymuaythai, to see each fighters profiles in more detail.
July 25, 2011 at 8:37 am
Many thanks to Rob for taking the time to create this post! For those of you new to Muay Thai or MMT.
Rob aka “Mr. Muay Thai” is one of the leading authorities of the Thai fight scene. If you’ve ever attended the fights at Lumpini or Rajadomnern you would have seen Rob documenting it with his Nikon from the corners of the ring.
Rob operates the website MuayThaiFocus.com and also runs the camp Kiatphontip.
Thanks Rob, look forward to many more posts!
July 25, 2011 at 10:26 am
Brilliant and informative post.Many thanks!
July 25, 2011 at 11:41 am
Nice post Rob! Going to look out for all these fighters in the future! I had the chance to watch Petpanomrung train last year whilst visiting Kiatmuu9 camp. He is really amazing and beautiful to watch! Definitely going to look out for him in the future.
I think Mapichit Sitsongpeenong is another young talented fighter to keep an eye on! He has beaten Ekmongkol in the past on two occasions (that I know of) and I think he has a lot of potential to go far at only 16!
There is another young Nakmuay champ fighting out of Chuwattana gym that I had a chance to watch fight a couple of times. He is really explosive but I cant remember his name. This is the only video I could find of him so If anyone knows his name ill be very grateful if you let me know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GVa6fBaHE0
July 26, 2011 at 1:00 am
That guy’s pad work is clean! He never once looked off balance or sloppy
July 25, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Thats Palangpon Chuwattana, don’t think he is that young though, he’s been around for years, was based out of the Sit O gym in Buriram originally and won originally Lumpini title and then switched over to fight under Songchai and won Ratchadamnern title, his original camp owner then got very ill and sold the contracts of all his top guys to Chuwattana. He was in running for fighter of the year two years ago, but got beat in last fight so lost out. He lost his last fight to Pompurn who is one of those on the list.
Marpichit also talented but not such a good run of form of late and stopped in last fight, the trouble with these kind of lists is I could have easily put another 20 or so fighters on there, but got to stop somewhere.
July 25, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Wow, thanks for the info Rob your a Muay Thai encyclopedia! I’ve been trying to find out his name for ages! There’s something about Buriram when it comes to producing good fighters, must be something in there food! And yes I understand, there’s so much new talent coming through, the list is endless!
I’m looking to escape the next English winter and come out to Bangkok for a few months. I heard so many good things about Kiatphontip that I have to visit, train and hopefully have a few fights! But ill let you know in advance. I want to see Pe-teng fight. Kids a machine!!!
July 26, 2011 at 12:00 am
Awesome post, thanks Rob. Not only have I not seen most of these kids yet, some of the camp names are new to me too.
Probably does not need to be mentioned, but anyone new to muay thai should be watching Thai nak muays on youtube and studying movement, timing, etc…
Cheers again Rob, see you in BKK!
July 27, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Awesome, Awesome Awesome!! Cant wait to see more of them!
July 27, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Great piece Lobert!!!
I have a question…do you thik Kwankaw will make it big?? I think the way he fights is very exciting to watch but from your point of view does he have a brilliant future?
July 29, 2011 at 9:49 am
Nice post! I would like to know a lot more about the muay thai scene in Thailand. I wish someone like Rob could help me answer those questions. i have a list full of questions and they can not be answered thropugh the web (believe me, I tried) Is there anyone that could help me answer them?
July 29, 2011 at 8:39 pm
KwanKaw beat Mapichit Sitsongpeeonong on points yesterday, i really root for Kwankaw to become a huge star.
August 16, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Good to get a who’s who of the top guys- at least what Rob thinks anyway, who is probably more knowledgeable than most Westerners out there.
With the amount of fighters and up and cummers in Muay Thai, it must be extremely hard to know which fighter will be the “next thai idol.”