Connect with us

Articles of 2007

Thai Style Boxing

Published

on

The Lookbanyai Boxing Camp is nestled in a densely populated, residential neighborhood in Bangkok, just up the street from the Fortune Hotel where pirated software and videos are sold by the thousands. More specifically, the gym is off Soi 17, also known as Soi Poisedon for the five-story massage parlor that adorns the street’s corner. A left, a right and fifty yards further at the end of a dusty road are the wrought iron gates marking the entrance to the camp.

Inside, the compound is quiet. A filthy white dog chases a chicken back and forth, under a field of heavy bags, thru the lone boxing ring, around some dilapidated motorbikes and back underneath the ring until the pursuit is over – at least temporarily.

The scruffy little mutt looks to be part poodle but for now, he is simply the hunter. The chicken has perched itself upon the top ring rope and stands motionless. The bewildered dog takes a moment to sniff the ring, baffled by the disappearing fowl. Spinning around in circles, the canine searches in vain; completely unaware his silent quarry is standing just above him.

Eventually though, the dog loses interests and runs off to do whatever it is dogs do.

Ninety-nine percent of boxing gyms are identical to the Lookbanyai gym. They’re always outdoors: behind a house, next to a police station, outside of an apartment complex or between a row of homes and a dirty canal.

In Thailand, you’ll find the darnedest things in the unlikeliest of places, fruit stalls in front of tire shops, insect carts next to camera shops and Dim Sum carts on wheels that prowl the streets for customers. The running joke among expatriates is if there is an empty plot of land, Thais will figure out how to squeeze a beer bar or squid stall on to it. Bangkok is a throng of humanity and the air is heated, full of grime and thick with congestion from a mass of pollutants.

None of this matters to the Thai fighters though. Unlike fighters from the west, Thai boxers train six days a week and rarely take more than a week off between fights. It is a full-time job and they are employees of the promoter.

When one of the boxers has a fight approaching, the entire gym comes alive. Six hours a day; three hours in the morning, three hours in the evening, the sounds of boxing resonate throughout the gym with abandon.

During the downtime though, the pace of the training slows, intensity wanes and sounds of laughter are heard more frequently.

The name Lookbanyai literally translates into children in the big house. In actuality, the Lookbanyai camp is a gym surrounded by four connected buildings that house the fighters and their families.

Training is a time-honored ritual followed by fighters around the country; after the fighters finish their morning workout, most shower and go back to sleep. A few watch TV, some listen to music or run errands and others read boxing magazines. At around 3:15, boxers inevitably begin their shuffle to the training area from their communal quarters.

The afternoon training session commences around 3:30 at the Lookbanyai camp. It kicks off unhurriedly; after all, there is time and then there is Thai time.

Nothing in Thailand ever starts faithfully and Thai fighters are no different.

The fighters leisurely wrap their hands, put on their shoes and socks and in due course, hit the Bangkok streets in mass for a 3-mile run, their second of the day.

For now, the training is relaxed in the Lookbanyai Camp. The gyms’ most well-known fighter, Saenghiran Lookbanyai (20-0, 15 KOs), had been scheduled to face fellow Thai Napapol Kittisakchokchai (40-2, 36 KOs) on March 2nd, only to have the bout postponed because of a shoulder injury suffered by Kittisakchokchai.

Training was in full swing when the Lookbanyai Camp got word Kittisakchokchai had suffered a most unusual injury. While sparring, he was accidentally headbutted – to the shoulder. Just like that, the date for the bout was pushed back to April 6.

So in the interim, Lookbanyai bides his time, eager to get the fight over with and move on to bigger and better things.

”I’ve gotten better and better with each fight and will defeat Napapol,” said Lookbanyai.

“I’m not looking past him but after I beat him I want to challenge Israel Vasquez,” he continued.

”He’s probably the best fighter in the division and I’m eager to test my skills against him.”

Lookbanyai is ranked second by the WBC, Kittisakchokchai first. While many debate the pair’s lofty ranking; few question the competitiveness of the bout. Saenghiran is known for his heart and technique; the same cannot be said for Kittisakchokchai. He’s known for his knockout power and has been criticized for lacking a champion’s heart. He knows this may be his last run at a title.

Although unbeaten for over 3 years, Kittisakchokchai remains haunted by his two knockout losses: first to Filipino journeyman Rey Llagas at the start of his career and his last loss, a 10th round KO at the hands of former champion Oscar Larios.

The Saenghiran Lookbanyai – Napapol Kittisakchokchai bout had originally been scheduled to be for the WBC interim super bantamweight championship but for whatever reason, it’s now been downgraded to a title eliminator.

Whatever happens, Lookbanyai plans on taking it all in stride, “Obviously I’d like to fight Napapol right now, but whatever happens, I’ll just keep fighting.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles5 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles5 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 week ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Paro
Featured Articles2 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles15 hours ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles2 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles5 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles5 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 week ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending