MEET THE THAI KINGS OF OVERSEAS RINGS
While it is widely believed that the Kin ngdom’s fighters do well at home arenas, they have had a fair share of limelight abroad as well. Here, Oliver Fennel ll picks the 10 best away wins by the country’s pugilists
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai’s knockout of Roman Gonzalez in California last week has been hailed as the greatest overseas victory by a Thai boxer. The win followed a narrow points verdict over Gonzalez six months ago, and the knockout in the rematch cemented Srisaket as a legend of the sport.
While Thailand’s boxers have experienced mixed fortunes while fighting on the road, Srisaket’s success is far from an isolated example.
1. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI W KO 4 ROMAN GONZALEZ
Sept 9, 2017, Carson, California
In this highly anticipated rematch of one of the best fights and biggest upsets of the year, Srisaket erased any doubts with a crushing right hook that laid Gonzalez flat for several minutes. In doing so, he retained the WBC superflyweight championship he took from Nicaragua’s Gonzalez and once again shocked the boxing world.
2. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI W MD 12 ROMAN GONZALEZ
March 18, 2017, New York
While not as dramatic as the rematch, Srisaket’s first win over Gonzalez was in some ways even more remarkable. At the time, Gonzalez was many people’s pick as the pound-for-pound finest operator in the sport, yet the indomitable underdog Srisaket roared to a majority points win. The accomplishment was slightly marred by some dissent over the decision, which led to the rematch — when the issue was emphatically settled.
3. SAMAN SORJATURONG W TKO 7 HUMBERTO GONZALEZ
July 15, 1995, Inglewood, California
The last Thai to stun the United States did so in a fight of the year candidate, and against another Gonzalez. Mexico’s WBC and IBF light-flyweight champion Humberto Gonzalez was riding high at the time, headlining pay-perviews and commanding million-dollar paydays — until he collided with the furious Pathum Thani puncher. Saman ripped away the crown with a sensational seventh-round TKO. Gonzalez never fought again, while Saman would defend the title 10 times.
4. SOT CHITALADAADA W MD 12 CHANG JUNG-KOO
Nov 24, 1990, Seoul, South Korea
The magnificent “Korean Hawk” was nearing the end of his career but he’d already b booked his place in the Hall of Fame with a 17-fight run as WBC light-flyweight champion. Chang was attempting to win a title in a new weight division but Sot pegged him back k by the thinnest of margins in a keenly contested affair. S Sot is probably the most pro oven Thai road warrior, hav ving also won world title fi ights in Japan, the UK, Ja amaica and Kuwait.
5. PONGSAKLEK WONJONGKAM W MD 12 KOKI KAMEDA
March 27, 2010, Tokyo, Japan
Kam ed a, probably t he biggest Japanese boxing star in a genera ation, was an und defeated household d name defending his s second world title a ga inn st the ageing exchamp thought too be on the slide since losing the belt th hree years earlier. But veteran Pongsak klek rolled back the years to upset youngung Kameda, reclaim the WBC flyweight belt and kick-start a career renaissance.
6. AMNAT RUENROENG W SD 12 KAZUTO IOKA
May 7, 2014, Osaka, Japan
Already a three-belt world champion at 24 years of age, unbeaten Ioka was seen as a young prodigy, destined for greatness. In fact, he may still be. But on this night he was outboxed and frustrated by the sublimely skilled IBF flyweight king, losing a split decision. He wouldn’t be the last national hero to suffer such a fate, as Amnat would repeat the feat a year later in Macau against Chinese superstar Zou Shiming.
7. VEERAPOL SAHAPROM W KO 6 JOICHIRO TATSUYOSHI
Dec 29, 1998, Osaka, Japan
Considered one of Japan’s all-time greats, three-time champion Tatsuyoshi was never the same after Veerapol beat him down for a sixth-round stoppage, claiming the WBC bantamweight belt. Veerapol beat Tatsuyoshi even more comfortably in a rematch, and also defeated Toshiaki Nishioka twice — all in Japan.
8. CHATCHAI SASAKUL W UD 12 YURI ARBACHAKOV
Nov 12, 1997, Sapporo, Japan
Chatchai is best known for nearly beating Manny Pacquiao, but his best win came a year earlier when he dethroned Russia’s Arbachakov for the WBC flyweight title. Unbeaten Arbachakov was a formidable champion, reigning for more than five years and repelling his challengers with ease — including Chatchai in a previous shot at the belt. But on this night the Thai was a revelation, his skill and tenacity leading him to a wide points decision.
9. SOMSAK SITHCHATCHAWAL W TKO 10 MAHYAR MONSHIPOUR
March 18, 2006, Levallois-Perret
In a fight feted by ESPN for its “raw, unvarnished, jaw-dropping brutality”, Somsak triumphed in a gruelling fight to the finish for the WBA superbantamweight championship. The match perhaps lacked the big-name recognition of others on this list, but so ferocious was the combat that it was a consensus pick for 2006’s fight of the year. Neither man would be the same after, and Somsak’s reign would be brief and undistinguished, but in this one match he cemented his legacy.
10. POONSAWAT KRATINGDAENGGYM KO 3 BERNARD DUNNE
Sept 26, 2009, Dublin, Ireland There are few atmospheres more intimidating than an Irish sports crowd, yet Poonsawat thrived in the Dublin cauldron hosting Dunne’s maiden WBA super-bantamweight defence. Three knockdowns in three rounds was all it took to crown a new Thai champion.