This article was originally written for The Bangkok Post. I don’t know why they do this, but they essentially don’t archive any of their stories… if you don’t read them on that day on the website your SOL.
Yodsaenklai Fairtex has made a huge contribution to promoting Muay Thai worldwide after becoming the first winner of Contender Asia last week
Story By: KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Yodsaenklai Fairtex became the first champion of the Contender Asia - the world’s first Muay Thai reality show - last week. The victory is a huge boost for both the Thai traditonal martial art and the fighter himself.
The show, which was filmed in Singapore for two months, has helped promote Muay Thai worldwide and made Yodsaenklai famous on the international stage.
“Foreigners know me better now,” said the 158-pound Yodsaenklai who took the winner’s cheque of 5 million baht.
The 22-year-old boxer adds the Contender Asia trophy to his collection of titles which include three Lumpini championship belts in 105, 147 and 154 pounds and WBC Muay Thai 154 pound belt.
“Joining the Contender Asia was a great experience for me. I can now speak English a bit after staying there for two months,” said the fighter who normally speaks Northeastern dialect as he is a native of Nong Bua Lam Phu’s Nonsang district.
It was his older brother Yodkangwan, a former Muay Thai fighter, who inspired him to take up the sport. Because their family was so poor, Yodsaenklai had no choice but follow in the footstep of his brother to make a living.
“I took up Muay Thai when I was eight because of my brother and poverty,” he said.
Yodsaenklai has fought for four camps - Saknipaporn, Sith-Khru-Od, Petchyindee and now Fairtex. His technique is second to none with his powerful hands and elbows his most dangerous weapons.
Because of his big physique compared to Thai standards - he stands 171cm and weighs 72kg - it is difficult for Yodsaenklai to find a Thai opponent.
“I have not fought a Thai opponent for about one year,” he said. “There are few Thais at my weight.”
But he has turned this obstacle into opportunity. He has fought abroad and also tried K-1.
“Taking on foreigners is not that tough, but can be difficult.
“I can fight them but sometimes the referee does not understand Muay Thai rules,”he said.
He says K-1 is difficult for him because the knee and elbow are not allowed. However, the sport is much more lucrative than Muay Thai. He also earns more when he takes on a foreigner in Muay Thai.
The Pattaya-based boxer receives around 85,000 baht per fight against a Thai opponent but gets in the region of US$10,000 (about 320,000 baht) against a foreigner.
With the Contender Asia title under his belt, he believes his handlers can ask for higher fees.
His promoter Banjong Busarakamwong agrees. He says his boxer could get up to US$15,000 from his next fight against a Russian opponent in a World Muay Thai Boxing Council (WMC) championship in Sweden.
A fee is split 50-50 between Yodsaenklai and the Fairtex camp, and the boxer himself is satisfied with the share. “It is not a problem for me because I stay at the camp for free,” he said.
After all, each fight fee is huge compared to a mere 20 baht he received from his first fight at a temple fair in Ban Na Dee in his hometown.
Yodsaenklai has fought 213 fights with a record of 163-44-6 (45KOs). He plans to box for another seven years. By that time, he will be 29 which may be too old for the sport.
Understandably, he feels grateful to Muay Thai which has given him and his family a better life. He has given most of his prize money to his mother who has lived in Bangkok since she divorced his father many years ago.
With the Contender Asia crown, his life will certainly become better.
FACT FILE
Birthdate: July 1, 1985
Team: Fairtex
Residence: Pattaya
Height: 171cmWeight: 72kg
Record: 213 fights, 163 wins (45KOs), 44 losses, 6 draws
Titles: The First Contender Asia Champion 158 pounds, Lumpini champion 105 and 147 pounds, Thailand champion 154 pounds, WBC champion 154 pounds
Popularity: 8% [?]
22 responses so far ↓
1 fight geek // May 6, 2008 at 12:28 am
I wonder if the 50/50 split of prize money agreement was in effect with the Contender series?
I hope Yod got the lot
Come to think of it . . . it doesn’t seem right that Fairtex gets half, because they had the double chance with Narapol. Seems to me they had pretty good odds for getting a pay day.
2 ShadyEskimo // May 6, 2008 at 5:55 am
Yod is awesome, didnt know any Muay Thai fighters a couple of years ago, but now im like a Nak Muaycoholic.
3 spydaman // May 6, 2008 at 6:45 am
Fight Geek…..I’m not sure if 50/50 is fair but I do agree that Fairtex does deserve a nice chunk of that money….Think about it, Fairtex must be the reason why Yod was in the show to begin with, the reason why he’s got to fight in K1, the reason why he is at such a high level right now, the reason why he is so famous around the world, the reason why U’ve heard of him. Fairtex has done a looooooot for MT around the world (and even though I have heard of some shady businesses going on there, mostly rumors) I still respect them.
GOD BLESS R.I.P. Alex Gong.
ps: 70/30 in favor of Yod would have been more fair though….lol. At the end of the day, I agree with you, just not for the same reasons.
4 tong po // May 6, 2008 at 8:58 am
Damn, 50/50!! That does seem too steep! 70/30 I think is standard. Yod, afterall, is the one going in the ring and doing the fighting. Also, he was an excellent fighter long before Fairtex. Sure, they really helped make it big for him- as they do for many fight(s)/fighters, but splitting everything down the middle seems a bit much.
You were at Clementina Spydaman?
5 spydaman // May 6, 2008 at 9:07 am
Nah….lol…..I was however planning a trip there…but I heard so many things that I don’t even know if it’s worth it, one of them being the attitude of some of the trainers there (of course those are only rumors and I have no way to clarify unless I speak to someone who is actually there). Were u there??….Maybe u can clarify a couple thingz for me
6 yknocka // May 6, 2008 at 10:54 am
don’t forget Naruepol’s cut too hehe.
7 spydaman // May 6, 2008 at 11:07 am
True…..15% for Naruepol
8 fight geek // May 6, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Spydaman:
Yeh, I guess you’re right, fairtex deserve something, but I still think 50/50 is too steep.
I’m just a sucker for the whole “buy my mom a house thing”
But my point regarding Fairtex was more along these lines . . .
I know nothing is certain in fighting. That being said, by being allowed to enter Yod AND Narupol, Fairtex would have been pretty confident of getting some $$$.
It would have been better if the best contenders would have been from different camps. I wonder if Fairtex pushed or even demanded that they have the ‘double chance’. Hmmm . . . And is Elvis really dead? Hmmm . . .
I smell a conspiracy
9 spydaman // May 6, 2008 at 2:58 pm
No…to me the conspiracy is based around this question…..why didn’t the two best fighters meet in the final???….but instead met in the first round of the second round?….I’ll leave it at that as i have already stated my point on the subject a while back.
but u’re right though…Fairtex did get a higher chance….just like Australia got a higher chance by sending 3 of their top representative to represent them, when Thailand (the originator of the style) only had 2
10 fight geek // May 6, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Spydaman:
Go Aussie
But seriously, you’re right. I thought too many Australians were in it, particularly since there weren’t any dutch dudes.
Never mind. Perhaps they’ll get the mix better next time.
11 TwoThumbs // May 6, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Anyone have any insider insights on contender fighter selections? In the article, Yod also said there are few thai fighters at his weight. Who will be in the mix for contender 2? Someone also mentioned how fairtex was distinctly missing from the contender finale show.
On the 50-50, if it is true, then guess that is the price to be paid, so to speak. But yod’s name is now famous thanks to the win.
12 nopstar // May 7, 2008 at 12:33 am
I personally think 50/50 is steep. The horrible thing about the fight game is that like boxing it’s incredibly political.
Talent will take you so far, but if no promoter will put you on the ticket you’ll never have a chance to showcase your talent. Unfortunately in Thailand your management and promotion are equally as important to your success.
I suspect that when the contender folks sold the sponsorship package to Fairtex, Fairtex stipulated that the show had to take 2 fighters. If both ended in the finals, bonus for them… 2 fairtex fighters. What if the unthinkable were to happen and the 2 fairtex fighters were to meet before the finals?
ok to add fuel to the conspiracy theory… I was told that yes in fact it was very deliberate that fairtex was missing from the finals. That the two parties have some things to “work out”.
13 nimrod69 // May 7, 2008 at 7:00 am
omg! 20baht for his 1st fight?? that works out to be less then usd1.00 right??! !
btw, as most of you would know, JWP’s dad was diagnosed with terminal cancel just weeks b4 he arrived in Singapore for the final match,there’s a thread in contenderasiafans where we can send our encouragement to jwp. thks!
14 nimrod69 // May 7, 2008 at 7:03 am
http://contenderasiafans.com/content/dedicated-mr-parr-senior
15 colargol // May 7, 2008 at 7:21 am
I think the 50/50 thing isn’t the problem. The camp does a lot for the fighters and they need money to invest in other up-and coming fighters and in the camp itself as well. Also, I also don’t have as much problem with heavy taxes as an american might; I pay upwards of 50% tax here in Denmark
The real problem IMO is that a world-class fighter like Yod (and legions of others) is making so little money. Considering his unique abilities and the risks he takes, Yod should make a hell of a lot more than 15 000 US per fight. But that’s the scene right now..
16 spydaman // May 7, 2008 at 7:46 am
“Also, I also don’t have as much problem with heavy taxes as an american might; I pay upwards of 50% tax here in Denmark” Either ur dead broke or ur filthy rich (If the latter is true then ….Can I borrow some money?).
“Considering his unique abilities and the risks he takes, Yod should make a hell of a lot more than 15 000 US per fight.”I agree wit u 100% but….as weird as it might sound….Muay Thai is really not that big around the world (and it sucks donkey balls that it’s not as big as I would like it to be)….and until it gets bigger in “rich” countries (primarly the US) then Muay Thai fighters will most likely continue to make chump change (Unless they go to K1). Of course when I say chump change I’m comparing it to Western Boxing.
17 The Mexi-Can // May 7, 2008 at 9:42 am
50/50?? Weak..
A bit off topic.. so why is it that Muay Thai is not as popular in the US which in turn would boost them paydays? With the MMA craze, people go crazy for a good ole stand up barn burner/slugfest which IMO equates to a good Muay Thai fight.. Any thoughts?
18 spydaman // May 7, 2008 at 10:34 am
Dat’s da million dollar question…We need some big promoters here……dat’s wut we’re missin. Too many people here still don’t know what Muay Thai is unless u mention “Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva or Ong Bak”
19 colargol // May 7, 2008 at 10:41 am
I ain’t rich Spyda. I used to be a poor immigrant though; I remember happily rummaging through Salvation Army clothes bins as a kid, living in a ghetto, etc.. So now that I’m doing ok, I just think it’s fair to ‘contribute to society’ if you will.
20 spydaman // May 7, 2008 at 10:45 am
“Society” or the “Filthy Politicians running the country”???….things must definitely be different in Denmark than it is here….lol….Different convo for a different blog. Wasn’t Yukay from Denmark???
21 colargol // May 7, 2008 at 11:06 am
Politicians are as corrupt as anywhere ..but surely, some of the money must trickle down to the orphans?? Yukay is a swede.
22 tong po // May 7, 2008 at 11:29 am
“Were u there??….Maybe u can clarify a couple thingz for me”
I was there, Spydaman. I remember Mai and others.
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