Watch These Fights: The Brilliant 122 lb Lumpine Belt Run of 1993-94

For anyone just coming to the Muay Thai Library Project or learning about the Golden Age, these 7 fights are a must, a great pathway into the Legacy and a way to familiarize yourself with some of the top names.

The Golden Age of Muay Thai was unparalleled in its dense collection of talent. Divisions were packed so deep that even the 4th or 5th best fighter could be considered elite; but one of the most difficult things in educating oneself and enjoying the Golden Age of Muay Thai is that when watching great fights between the legends of the sport from the era it is dififcult to have a picture in mind of who has fought whom, and when. The fights available on Youtube aren't organized to give context or relation to the chronology or proximity, so it can be disorienting.

Even for us, who know these fighters, their fight videos and their careers well, it's still hard to place fights together and understand what was happening in the sport. That is what makes this collection of 7 fight videos so wonderful (unfortunately an 8th in the series is missing from history, keeping this incredible run for the 122 lb Lumpinee title from being complete).

We've spent some time to put together, with some background, these 7 videos because they may represent the greatest condensed stretch of belt fights ever, featuring elite legends over a very short period of time, wrestling over the Lumpinee Belt at the prime skill weight of 122 lbs. The 122 lb Lumpinee weight class was particularly stacked because for promotional/political reasons, OneSongChai fighters who would fit better at 118 lbs found themselves pushed up into 122 as well.

There has never been so sharp an exchange of greatness as in 1993-4 when these men passed the Lumpinee 122 lb belt back and forth. All four of these fighters are Top 50 All Time Greats, some arguably Top 10 or higher. It was true steel sharpening steel, between some of the best who ever fought.

Some notes on the battles: Karuhat was rather dramatically undersized for this division (as mentioned, many who would fit in the 118 division were pushed up to 122, but Karuhat is most likely even ideally a 115 lb fighter, moving all the way up to 122 lb and outsized by everyone); but he more than held his own, especially in this streak of exchanges. Wangchannoi got the best of it all in that he won FOTY that year (1993). Karuhat specifically felt he beat Wangchannoi in the 2nd time he'd faced him, in January (not a belt fight, but included in this series because of its importance), one of the best fights you'll ever see. Karuhat felt like he was somewhat robbed of that FOTY (by the decision in January, a fight he felt he had won, but also not being granted a timely rematch with Wangchannoi, before the FOTY vote was tallied in April and the awarded in May). The last fight in this series, occurs just after the FOTY for 1993 has been voted on and announced for Wangchannoi.

There was an acceleration that took place in the 122 lb division when this title starts getting moved around. In 1989, Panomtuanlek lost the title to Wangchannoi in a dramatic, 2nd round TKO. Wanchannoi was stripped of the belt and then won it back nearly a year later, then loses it again to Boonlai. Boonlai had the belt then for a couple of years before kicking this whole thing into action by losing the belt to Chatchai (first video). By the time the summer of 1993 the belt started bouncing back and forth between greats.

Watch The Fights Below

Boonlai vs Chatchai - August 30th, 1993 - for the Lumpinee Belt

 Boonlai (red) vs Chatchai (blue) watch it here

Boonlai (at least by his Wikipedia record) looks like he had held onto his Lumpinee Belt for an inordinately long time (almost 8 months without a defense, having defended it agains the supreme Oley in Oct of 1992). This could just be due to incomplete Wiki records, but in any case he won the belt in January of '92 vs Wangchannoi, and so was apex in the division when he met Chatchai. Chatchai was from Samart's gym, fighting out of Sityodtong, and had been christened "Samart 2" due to his high fight iQ and variety of weapons. Boonlai was a notorious kicker with underrated boxing hands.

Chatchai vs Wangchannoi - October 22nd, 1993 - for the Lumpinee Belt

Chatchai (red) vs Wangchannoi (blue) watch it here

Wangchannoi was absolute elite at this weight and already had a long history with the Superbantamweight 122 lb Lumpinee Belt. In 1988 he beat Panomtuanlek for it at the age of 21. (Then retired the much bigger Samart, winning decisively in Samart's last fight 6 months later.) He defended his belt vs Kaonar in 1989, and was stripped of it vs Superlek Sor-E-Sarn in a No Contest (which likely was the referee ruling that the fight was not on the up and up). He faced Superlek again for the vacant title in 1990 but lost. Then he took the belt from Superlek in 1991, and then lost it to Boonlai in Jan of 1992. This fight is Wangchannoi trying to reclaim that belt.

Wangchannoi vs Chatchai - November 30th, 1993 - for the Lumpinee Belt

Wangchanoi (red) vs Chatchai (blue) - watch it here

What a turnaround. Chatchai a great technical fighter loses his belt to Wangchannoi (a powerful, counterfighter) and one month later comes right back and attempts to take it back. The seesaw of these legends of such skill is really something. There is no rest, there are no easy fights. It's just a continuous murderers row month after month.

(above, after Chatchai's victory Karuhat was lined up to face him. This photo appearing in the press, Karuhat looking not in the best mood.)

Chatchai vs Karuhat - December 17th, 1993 - for the Lumpinee Belt

Chatchai (red) vs Karuhat (blue) watch it here

As mentioned Karuhat is underweight for the weight class, and he's fighting one of the highest IQ fighters of the era. It's IQ vs IQ, femeu vs femeu, but giving up size. You can really see the size issues as the fight goes on.

Karuhat vs Wangchannoi - January 7th, 1994 - catch weight NOT for the Lumpinee Belt

Karuhat (red) vs Wangchannoi (blue) - watch it here

This fight is included in the series even though its not for the belt. It's at catchweight after Karuhat has won it. It's extremely important for the coming FOTY award, Karuhat positioning himself to win it. Wangchannoi only fought 8 times in the calander year of 1993 with a record of 5-3 (losses to Oley, Rithichai & Chatchai). Karuhat had fought 11 times in 1993, with a record of 8-3 (losses to Lamnamoon, Chatchai & Boonlai). This fight ends up being for the FOTY, and Karuhat felt that he had won this fight (there's an interview at the end, Mr. Songchai talking to both fighters. Karuhat is clearly frustrated by the result; Wangchannoi is asked why he thinks he won and he says his "weapons were heavier." Karuhat is asked why he thinks he won and he says that he and the judges saw different fights.) He also felt that he was deprived of a quick rematch before the FOTY award is voted on in April. Instead he is forced to defend his belt vs Boonlai, and then immediately again against Chatchai, before a 3rd defense in 4 months, finally meeting Wangchannoi again.

Karuhat vs Boonlai - February 13th, 1994 - for the Lumpinee Belt

It's too bad this fight is missing from the record, as we only have the video of his loss to Boonlai earlier. This is for the belt and it surely was an all out war of skill. In terms of coming FOTY though, Karuhat avenges his 1993 loss to Boonlai, balancing the ledger. The Thai FOTY is awarded April-April, but also seems the calander year performance. Karuhat wanted this fight to be an immediate rematch vs Wangchannoi.

Karuhat vs Chatchai - March 8th - for the Lumpinee Belt

Karuhat (red) vs Chatchai (blue) - watch it here

Not only was Karuhat deprived of a Wangchannoi rematch in February, he also was forced to defend his belt again in Match vs the very dangerous Chatchai, basically sealing out his chances at FOTY, which would go to Wangchannoi. (Wangchannoi, on the other hand, would fight and beat Kaensak in February and skip fighting in March).

Karuhat vs Wangchannoi - April 29th - for the Lumpinee Belt

Karuhat (red) vs Wangchannoi (blue) watch it here

The last fight in the series is perhaps the most disappointing, as it is the least close of all of them. One is not sure if Karuhat is dispirited that he was cut out of a chance to win the FOTY, which has already been announced for Wangchannoi. By fight's end he himself raises Wangchannoi's hand.

To recap: Boonlai loses his belt to Chatchai. Chatchai loses it to Wangchannoi, then back to Chatchai. Then Karuhat takes it from Chatchai. Karuhat successfully defends against Boonlai, then Chatchai, and then loses the belt again to Wangchannoi. The catch weight fight between Karuhat and Wangchannoi was not for a title (Karuhat was 122 lb Champion at the time), and Karuhat was sure he'd won and wanted an immediate rematch. Instead, they made him defend his title 3 times in 4 months, with the rematch finally coming for the title a month before Fighter of the Year would be announced. I just want everyone to understand what a sprint (emotionally and physically) this was for Karuhat, and what an incredible division this was.

All these fights can be found in our Playlist:

What is crazy about this all is that not only have these 7 beautiful fights survived in the video record, the Muay Thai Library project also has archived the Muay Thai of 3 of these 4 legendary fighters. You can see them fight each other, and then actually watch them breakdown the principles of their style and muay. Below are all the sessions in the Muay Thai Library. It's like discovering Leonard vs Hagler, Ali vs Frazier and then being able to watch them show what they do in long form documentation. This is all a crash course in the Golden Age 122 lb primere weight division, open to deep study.

Boonlai Sor Thanikul 

#57 Boonlai Sor. Thanikul - Kicking Excellence (66 min) watch it here

One of the most asked for sessions by patrons, and it took well over a year to find and arrange filming with Boonlai. A legendary fighter of the Golden Age who beat some of the greatest fighters of his day (Karuhat, Namkabuan, Langsuan, etc), with such a beautiful kicking attack. Learn the secrets of his head kick, along with some beautiful slow-motion capture.

Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai 

#94 Wangchannoi Palangchai #1 - Deadly Step Counter Fighting (70 min) - watch it here

One of the all-time greats, 118 lb and 4x 122 lb Lumpinee Champion, 1993 Fighter of the Year Wangchannoi was one of the most feared fighters who ever fought, patrolling the Golden Age with fierce violence. In this session he teaches the keys to his aggressive, forward pressure counter fighting style.

#95 Wangchannoi Sor. Palangchai #2 - The Secret Powers of a Cool Heart (77 min) watch it here

The first session with one of the best fighters who ever lived was so good we went back right away and filmed a 2nd. This time his fighting style is put into more context, focus on angling off, the differences between boxing and Muay Thai & Wangchannoi's beautiful jumping knees.

#134 Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai #3 - Powerful, Advancing Counterfighting (74 min) - watch it here, or podcast here

One of the most dangerous and feared fighters of the Golden Age unlocks the secrets of his style. It's how he counterfights but with constant pressure. See how to train it and produce the disruptive force of what I've come to call "depth charging". One of the best sessions in the Library.

#146 Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai #4 - Elite Timing & Impact and Shadowboxing (42 mins) watch it here

This session is pure gold. Wangchannoi, one of the most feared fighters of the Golden Age teaches the keys to his punishing, explosive style. It's about building fight timing, and setting up the painful, impactful strike through timing and distance. One of the more difficult things to teach he artfully unfolds what his secret was to controlling and beating some of the best fighters in the world.

 Karuhat Sor Supawan

#7 Karuhat Sor. Supawan 1 - Be Like Sand (62 min) watch it here

2x Golden Age Lumpinee Champion (112 lb and 122 lbs), Karuhat is considered elite among the elites. Mixing an explosive style with constant off-balances, angling, and melting aways, he was nicknamed the Ultimate Wizard. I can only describe the things he's teaching here as: Be like sand. This is very subtle, advanced stuff, far above combo techniques or specific defenses. It may take a few viewings to absorb what he is teaching. Everytime I watch this I learn something new.

#11 Karuhat Sor. Supawan 2 - Float and Shock (82 min) watch it here

In this session one of the greatest fighters who ever lived really digs into what must lie beneath techniques, a general state of relaxation and rhythm, the thing that made him one of the most dynamic fighters Lumpinee has ever seen.

#20 Karuhat Sor Supawan 3 - Switching To Southpaw (144 min) watch it here

2x Lumpinee Champion Karuhat Sor. Supawan in this epic video posts installs a limited Southpaw core which leads to developing high level ideas found in his switching style: tracking and attacking the open side, watching for and dictating weight transfer. This is the blueprint of a legend's acclaimed fighting style.

#27 Karuhat Sor. Supawan 4 - Tension & Kicking Dynamics (104 min) watch it here

Karuhat, a fighter with perhaps the slickest style of any Golden Age great, shows the importance of tension, and patiently goes through correcting the kick, making it quicker and much harder to read.

#50 Karuhat Sor. Supawan 5 - Serpentine Knees & Flow  (62 min) watch it here

The legendary Karuhat teaches his winding, advancing style, a culmination of many, many hours of our training together. You get a glimpse into his advanced movements, and his philosophy on reading opponents.

#110 Samson, Namkabuan, Dieselnoi & Karuhat! Muay Khao Summit Session (2 hrs) watch it here

This unique session brings together the genius of 4 great legends of Muay Thai, including the late Namkabuan. Not only are the techniques taught beautiful, so are the interactions of these great fighters. A session for lovers of Muay Thai and Thailand.

#111 The Karuhat Rosetta Stone 7 - The Secrets of the Matador (83 min) watch it here

Karuhat is the most documented Golden Age legend in history, thanks to the sum of all the filming and commentary we've been able to do with him. This session though provide the key to understanding all the other sessions. And there is a very special focus on his particular Golden Kick.

Bonus Session 7: Karuhat Sor. Supawan - Forward Check | 39 min - watch it here 

In this session Karuhat teaches his beautiful and unique Forward Check, and the system of attacks that flow out of it in his fighting style.  You can read my detailed post in the Forward Check here. This check, aggressively from Southpaw, versus Orthodox fighters eats up space closes distance, effectively deal with one of the primary weaknesses of Southpaw attack.

You can also get Patreon discount promocodes for the Sylvie Study project which has over 30 hours of Karuhat training. Here. 100% of those proceeds go to the fighter.

Watching Karuhat

As it happens, Karuhat is one of the most documented Golden Age fighter, if not the post. A large number of his fights have survived on video, and the Muay Thai Library project and our other documentation has archived a great deal of his Muay Thai philosophy.

You can find a complete list of Karuhat fights (and links to every fight videeo in existance) here.