Kiat = Gym Moo Kao = Village #9
Back in the day we had no muaythai gym in the neighborhood
I really like it and when my 2 kids grow up till 10 years old
both began to fight
and they were the 1st generation of fighters here
- [What are their names?] - Chanapol Kiatmookao, my eldest son
and Jerdja Kiatmookao
- [Whom is the current head coach right?]
He's getting old now... almost 40 and started to fight since he was little
they were the first fighters of my gym
by the time the fight manager was Songchai
their purses were around US$ 650 but we broke up
they used to train here ... in this garage
only two of them
later when Singdam arrived we built the ring
We grew slowly, inch by inch
2 or 3 heavy bags...
- [Which gym did you start?]
- I started right here, my dad was the coach
just me and my elder brother
- [How old were you?] - Around 10 years, I was in 4th grade
- [How was it?] - We were just fighting out there, me and my brother
at first we were fighting countryside
when we started to get famous around we signed with OneSongchai [muaythai promoter and manager]
we did around 10 fights each but we had a problem
Here was a small gym
My father was the coach and the manager
at that time if you have problem, the promoters could take advantage of the smaller gyms
then we came back to fight countryside
until 22 years old I was still fighting
countryside fights but always as main event
and also helping my father to train other fighters
when Panomrunglek and Singdam grew up a bit
I stopped fight and became trainer full time
- [Did you use to fight before?] - Nnever, but I like it
If there's a fight I was always there
Sometimes I wanted to go to Bangkok to watch the fights, have to borrow to go...
It was always difficult, had to go by bus away, but I loved
I always go to watch the practice, as the foreigners do in Thailand
was looking how they train the fighters, how they manage the gym
I learned there and came to teach my children
[The first generations of fighters signed with Onesongchai]
Yes, but it was not a successful relationship
after that, Singdam and the 2nd generation, we signed with another manager, Petchyindee Promotions.
which is still famous nowadays
and today we have one fighter at Channel 7
Saksi Kiatmoo9, 105lb champion signed with Chun from Kiatpetch Promotions.
just for a change
get some fresh air
while we were with Petchyindee only fought against Petchyindee fighters
always fighting the fighters Sia Boat [son of Petchyindee founder ]
we've been with them for almost 20 years
For some gyms is complicated
but my gym is always very quiet
as sons and relatives
We never had problems with fighters with mischief or vandalism
Parents coming here to make a scandal... never happened
since the time of Singdam we never had problems with parents of boys
here it is always very quiet
usually they come here to encourage us
Back when the Singdam trained a lot of foreigners used to come around
now as he stays in Bangkok, foreigners are not coming anymore
They are looking for Singdam but there's no problem
I'm already satisfied
but it is better because there's the language barrier
there are only a few trainers
our fighters earn well, we stay quiet and live well
If it is to start to build a fighter from scratch, I can't do anymore
our trainers prefer to take care of bigger boys, they are old and getting lazy
we don't have beginers
and it's becoming harder to find kids in the neighborhood who want to be fighters
sometimes, little gyms around give us some fighters
when they start to get famous, the ones that have potential I accept
I used to hold the pads, clinch the fighters... everything
when I finished the pads with Singdam, put the pads aside, and go for clinch with him
[When Singdam arrived at the gym, who was his trainer?]
Here was his first gym and he's been here since very young
by that time he couldn't even kick the heavy bag
- [Did you ever imagined he could go that far?] - I never imagined ...
But I strive for all kids that have a good people and are dedicated to training
he trained hard, sometimes he cried during practice, but he never gave up
Singdam got everything and had a successful career
[How was your life before the gym 30 years ago? Did you work and train your fighters?]
Back in the day I was a farmer and was making the gym
over the years my fighters started to get famous
purses started to get higher
and I could only live from fights
and that's what I still doing nowadays, having an ease life
Singdam today is no longer here, yet when he fights he sends money to us
[Who was the first champion of Kiatmoo9?]
Singdam was the first and were many belts
then came Panomrunglek, he was
Isuzu Champion, Lumpinee Champion 112 and 115lb
he never had opponents in his weight class
he never defended the belts
Superlek got around 5 Lumpinee belts
Petchpanomrung wasn't Lumpinee champion, but he was Thai champion 4 or 5 times
and now we have Saksi [Lumpinee champion105lb] that I hope to earn several belts too
- [Do you usually gamble or bet in the fights?] - Yes, sometimes I do sidebets
If Superlek fights I usually bet.
Against Saengmanee we do sidebets since they were really young
Superlek and Saengmanee have fought 8 times
from 8 fights Superlek
lost 2 and won 6
we bet against Saengmanee gym since they were little kids
they weight around 25kg and each gym put US$ 30.000
[28 kg and 30.000 dolars?]
26Kg and US$ 30.000
that fight we won
since they were really small
the first time each side bet US$ 3.000
Superlek won
Saengmanee began fighting on Channel 9, Asswindam
He started to get famous and asked to fight again
26kg, US$ 30.000 on each side in Ubon [neighbor state]
We won again
another fight in Nakorn Rachasima [neighbor state]
US$ 6.000 and we won again
The two became very famous in Bangkok and Saengmanee asked to fight Superlek again
another US$ 30.000 on each side, check out the photos over there
that time fought at Lumpinee and Superlek won again
that's been a while that they don't fight, but were many fights for several years
Superlek also won...
Tanonchai Thanakorngym 2 times
Saengmanee won Tanonchai too and came again
to fight Superlek... and lost again
some fight styles didn't match
[Is Superlek the biggest sidebets winner?]
Yes, it was him
but countryside was Panomrunglek
Panomrunglek was Singdam partner here
- [They arrived at the same time?] - Yes, same time as Singdam
When Panomrunglek was around 6 fights
He could face fighters with over 100 fights and win easily
he was very intelligent
- [6 fights?]
His 6th fight was against an opponent with over 100 fights
We were underdogs and were paying 3-4x more if we win
but when the fight began he won easily
nobody could understand how a boy with only 6 fights could be that good?
after that we started making sidebets and win around the village
if we could match an opponent was another sidebet win
until he was champion Isuzu
honestly speaking, at his time he was as good as Saenchai
He never cut weight, always fight at his natural weight
at the time he used to fight around 50kg his weight was around 46kg
even fighting underweight he manage to win the Isuzu Tournament. I still can't believe
- [who did he beat at Isuzu finals?]
Wanviset Lukbaanyai
Fight was a draw! Isuzu tournament final didn't have a winner.
another fight was schedulled and they fought again [Panomrunglek won]
After Isuzu Tournament he kept fighting at his natural weight
one of his fights was against Tongchai. He was good and was returning
Thongchai Tor Silachai, Fighter of the Year 2001 [only man to win Saenchai by KO]
Panomrunglek reversed the fight
normal weight was 53kg and the fight was 54kg
no big deal, he ate, weigh in, went to fight and won Thongchai
but he was a light fighter, so he was not famous as the others
but very skilled. When clinch fighters came walking forward aggressive...
he swept them in a very shameful way, he was really good on it
then he have no more opponents and he went up again to fight 54,5Kg
against Petcheke Kiatyongyut but he lost. when he came back he said, "I can't do this anymore."
"As I have no opponents they will keep giving me bigger fighter. I'll try to fight boxing."
He want to put at his profile that he was world boxing champion
but we know it is not an easy task to be world champion, it is very difficult
he got a WBA world title shot and fight well
[Against Koki Kameda, 2013], but they did not give him the victory in Japan
[When he started training boxing he practiced here?]
He trained a bit here, a little in Bangkok
It was the first 10 days here, preparing the body, and would go to practice with Petchyindee boxers
their specialty is boxing, our here is only muaythai
We could only help with his fitness
He waited too long for the opportunity but didn't succeed
then he lost again in Japan two months ago
he is now back fighting muaythai
as he didn't survive, he should continue
if they stop inviting he will stop fighting
Petchpanomrung [Panomrunglek little brother]
after 3 fights at Glory he got a title shot
and he could not lose
It was a 4 man tournament but if he lose in the semifinals was out
2 fights of 3 rounds in the same day
was a lot of pressure
We could use another technics, show ability, but we were afraid to lose
today we know that kickboxing needs the show
we know that every fight is different, but there was extra pressure
We needed to win those two fights for title shot
Then the boy was tense, just wanted to play with the rules to win
we saw the foreigners a way more relaxed, making teeps jumping, flying knees
they were having fun, we were just stiffed trying to win
[Do you believe Petchpanomrung has a chance to emerge on the international scene?]
Yes, he have chance. Today we have the strategies, sometimes you need to walk forward and be aggressive
Sometimes you need to walk backwards and be more defensive
but if you only walk backwards foreigners doesn't like it
Some fighters who are only aggressive can win
there's many cases
We had a Chinese against a foreigner
I saw the Chinese winning
but the foreigner was more aggressive and won the fight
just walk forward, even without hit that much, and you can win
[The score system is quite different.]
Very different and difficult, I am still learning how does it work
The rules are also different
It is forbidden to sweep, forbidden hold the kicks
They create a rule system where a foreigner with only 10-20 fights can fight us
we have over 200 fights and doesn't seem that we are in advantage
elbows, clinch, projections ... all banned
[How is the training for kickboxing, is it the same as muaythai?]
Yes, the same way
- [run in the morning, afternoon, clinch, all the same?] - Yes, the same.
But now Petchpanomrung is learning how the international style works
doing fitness, training footwork, how to be faster, punch combinations ...
[Do you have a coach who comes here?]
No, he goes to study and train at Sitsongpeenong gym
they have more experience and Petchpanomrung can stay and learn with Sittichai
he goes there for a month and then come back here
We want them to get more experience as it is getting more difficult to find opponents
it's better if they train somewhere else
fights overseas are better because the purses are higher
Petchpanomrung when fights in Thailand do not earn more than US$ 3.000
When he started at Glory he got US$ 10.000 in his 1st fight
US$ 15.000 in the 2nd fight
in the 3rd fight another US$ 15.000
if he win his next fight is expected to reach US$ 22.000
winning this US$ 22.000 he will fight for the belt
and going to be over US$ 30.000 like Sittichai Sitsongpeenong
I want my fighters to follow this path
and I think he stand a chance
Sittichai when was fighting in Bangkok his purse was around US$ 700-1.000
Petchpanomrung is already one of the best technical fighters in Thailand
it's just a matter of will, dedication and fitness
Superlek let's wait another year, but when he get that chance he should go
I believe Superlek can do better than Petchpanomrung because of his power
He just fought in England, gave his opponent 8 cuts
It is better to fight overseas, purses are too low here
the boys sometimes have to wait 2-3 months for a fight, money is not enough
A fighter like Petchpanomrung make around US$ 2.500 in Thailand
the fight that he got kicked in the ground he got US$ 3.000
it's going to decrease
so now let's leave Petchpanomrung only fighting outside Thailand
since he had the opportunity [What about Superlek?]
He fought overseas twice but his name is still marketable in Thailand
Also in consideration to the promoters whom always helped us
They gave us the opportunity and they also need to work
let's wait another 1 or 2 years
[How is the trip to fight in Bangkok?]
There is no secret ...
They cut the weight here
if the fight is in the next day, we leave here around18h
and we sleep in the van
most of the times we sleep in the van
If we leave 1 or 2 days before the fighters will get tired anyway
then it is easier to make the weight at home and sleep the last night in the van
in the AC. wake up early for weigh in
then we go to the hotel, when the fight is over we come back home.
We do like that for almost 30 years and we never got booed by the gamblers
never send unfit fighters, gamblers trust our gym
- [Never?] - We nevergot booed
not in Bangkok, neither countryside
fighters from other gyms, gamblers wait untill 3rd or 4th round for start their bets
if it's from Kiatmookao, when our fighter goes to the ring they start to bet
they trust us
Another important thing is to know how take care of themselves
even if you train well, but don't take good care you will get tired in the fight
need to know how to rest, these things ...
[The gym provides supplements and food for the fighters?]
We give everything: milk, food, supplements ...
[Do the fighters sleep in the gym?]
Some...
Wanchai and Rungnarai stays here
they live nearby, 5 or 6km
Petchpanomrung and Superlek return home
Singdam also goes back home [lives across the street]
I do not know how, but Singdam finish practice returns home and stay with his wife.
Panomrunglek too. Just finins and stay with his wife
it's over 10 years ...
and we never had problems. If you want to win you need to take care of yourself
fighter needs to know that if they win, prizes go up, if they lose it's going to decrease
everything will depend on it
[What was the fight that you were more confident that you would win?]
When Superlek faced Seksan
- [Why?] - Because we were not scared, we like it
We already knew that he will attack non stop
We can't go directly to the exchange
if he gives five blows, it's not about to give the same 5 back. We only need one clean blow
That's how we show to the judges
Not going to brawl. Absorb and answer it clean and strong
Our saddest moment was when Singdam
got knockedout by Anuwat
Singdam was elected Fighter of the Year 2002
if in 2003 we didn't fight Anuwat, we could have taken the award again
we didn't need to accept the fight, Singdam already had his hand on the prize
The following year our manager, Petchyindee, organized the fight for us
to decide who would be fighter of the year for the 2nd time
the title was at our hands and we were knockedout again by Anuwat
so we have to give up the award... That was our saddest fight
This fight I was sure we could win
I've never imagined this could happen
but happened. We were devastated, and lost the chance to be 2 times the best of Thailand
[I remember that fight, Singdam was winning against Anuwat]
Yes, they were paying 10x the amount if Anuwat revert the fight
his a rms were bruised due the kicks
but Singdam missed one kick and got one punch by Anuwat
Anuwat was stubborn, tough, was walking forward trying to land only one punch...
he was a poweful puncher, if he touch you was over
Singdam missed the kick and he landed a clean punch
and he slept
We were the best in 2001. In 2002 we would take it again but we lost to Anuwat
In 2003 we made another perfect year, we had everything to win again
Anuwat knocked us out by the 2nd time. Two years in a row
he was a fighter that gave us a lot of headache
We won more than 10 straight fights and lost to the same Anuwat
Our hardest fight ...
I think it was against Petchboonchu
he was a fighter that did not hurt, but know how to play with odds
Singdam kicked him hard but was still winning the fight
he proved to be a strong fighter, but no skills
Singdam kicked, kicked, Petchboonchu continued walking forward making those little knees
he kept his neck high, show power and win the fights
was one of our hardest opponents, what should we do to beat him?
If we kicked and he kept walking
We have lost some, won others, but it was always d ifficult
And the other one is the Saenchai, the best fighter
this one I have to accept
sometimes we have lost because of the odds and gamblers
but Seanchaí I have to admit
he can change his strategy in the ring
the first fight we lost ...
Singdam kicked, Saenchai hold the leg and sweap the base leg
Singdam felt too much, we lost because of this technique
then we change strategy
bend the leg in the kick, put a lot of Vaseline on his shin
When he tried to hold the leg he couldn't, we think this time we would win
then he began to make projections and put us down
Here in Buriram the first famous gym was Nongkeephayut
then Sit Or, our
and now Sitboonmee
Those were the most famous gyms in Buriram
I think we have over 30 belts
from these 4-5 fighters
usually when you win 1 or 2 belts is enough
if we count the stadiums titles and tournaments it's over 30 belts
Many years ago Singdam
was Fighter of the Year 2001 ...
Panomrunglek was Isuzu champion
and after that the gym started to get more famous
We won Gym the year
in 2003 since
then in 2012 ...
best gym in Thailand
another award from the Association of Sports Reporters
We won many awards
I'm a guy who does not like news
if my boys win I don't stay to take pictures
I will go outside to drink a juice or a beer
I'm already happy, satisfied and proud
my fighter won
I never wait for reporters
Pele Sitboonmee and his academy succeeded because they know how to talk to the press
they have many influential friends
but when the fight ends I get back
I never stay to talk to anyone
Im countryside man, when the fight ended I just stay in the back
I'm not explaining how was the fight, what's next opponent ...
I'm always on my own, but who know how to speak normally earn awards
[Why don't you talk to the press?]
Because I don't know how to talk
My fighter won it already makes me happy and proud
[Do you think about retirement?]
I'm keep going...
It will depend on my health
but the truth is I'm glad... it's been 30 years
Im fully satisfied ... I don't need more
satisfied like after a big dinner when you cannot eat
and just wait to digest
now I want to be home, rest
stay up late, watch TV, see my fights ...
and still there's a way to be happy
better than getting nervous and angry all the time
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