Saman Sorjaturong (born Saman Sriprated on 2 August 1968 in Amphoe Khlong Lan, Kamphaeng Phet province) is a Thai former world boxing champion.

Early life He was born into a poor farming family in Kamphaeng Phet province, located in the upper central of Thailand. He was one of four siblings. Due to the family's poverty, he did not grow up with his parents, who had to move to another village in search of better opportunities. As a child, he was ordained as a novice monk and went to live at a temple with his grandfather, who was also a monk. He remained there until he completed his primary education, finishing grade six.

Later, he continued his Buddhist studies at Wat Pho in Bangkok, where he spent five years in monastic education. During that time, he successfully completed the third level of the Pāli studies examination, earning the title Maha, a respectful prefix granted to monks who reach this academic level.

Boxing career Saman turned pro at the age of 21, which was considered quite old for a boxer. Motivated by his passion for professional boxing, he had written a letter seeking help from M.R. Naris Kridakorn, the editor of World Boxing Magazine. In response, M.R. Naris recommended that he go to "Sorjaturong Boxing Gym" that run by Suchart Theerawuttichuwong, who was both the owner and the head trainer at the time.

Saman won the WBC, IBF and lineal junior flyweight titles during his career. He would later go on to make history as the third Thai boxer to win a world championship title without ever having competed in Muay Thai. (the first being Pone Kingpetch, and the second being Chartchai Chionoi).

He became the first Thai and Asian boxer to hold world titles from two major sanctioning bodies simultaneously, a record he still holds today. Before that achievement, he had been seen merely as an ordinary fighter, lacking the potential to become a world champion. In 1993, he challenged the undefeated Mexican champion Ricardo López for the WBC strawweight title. However, the bout ended in disappointment, as he was defeated in just the second round.

He defeated reigning champion Humberto González in a thrilling fight that was named Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year in 1995 to win the IBF and WBC titles. Both fighters were knocked down twice during the fight. He defended his IBF and WBC titles simultaneously only once, during his first title defense, before immediately relinquishing the IBF belt as a gesture of loyalty to the WBC, in line with his manager’s intentions. He went on to successfully defend the WBC portion ten consecutive times, before eventually losing to Yo Sam Choi of South Korea in 1999 via a unanimous decision. Their rematch was postponed seven times before it finally took place in 2001, when he was knocked out in the seventh round. He retired from boxing in 2005 after being knocked out in the first round by a Japanese Kōki Kameda.

Life after boxing After retirement, he opened a Khao man kai (Thai version of Hainanese chicken rice) and Khao mu daeng (rice with red pork) restaurant, a family business that had been passed down long before his boxing career, in Ban Fah Lagoon Village, Rangsit, Pathumthani, where he still resides today.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes55LossKōki KamedaKO1(10)Jun 20, 200554Loss45–7–2Rodel QuilatonUD6Apr 16, 200553Loss45–6–2Pitakpong ThammaTKO4(12)Feb 22, 200552Loss45–5–2Wyndel JaniolaUD10Apr 11, 200251Win45–4–2Koki TanakaTKO3(10)Feb 2, 200250Loss44–4–2Choi Yo-samKO7(12)Jan 30, 200149Win44–3–2Alvin FelicildaUD10Jul 19, 200048Win43–3–2Ramil AnitoKO6(10)Mar 11, 200047Win42–3–2Alfren BulalaKO4(8)Mar 11, 200046Win41–3–2Rogelio Lapi-anKO3(8)Feb 11, 200045Loss40–3–2Choi Yo-samUD12Occt 17, 199944Draw40–2–2Texas GomezTD5(12)May 19, 199943Win40–2–1Ladislao VazquezUD12Nov 26, 199842Win39–2–1Ramil GeveroPTS10Aug 19, 199841Win38–2–1Shiro YahiroTKO4(12)Mar 8, 199840Win37–2–1Ernesto RubillarTKO7(10)Dec 17, 199739Win36–2–1Mzukisi MaraliTKO4(12)May 31, 199738Win35–2–1Julio CoronelTKO7(12)Apr 13, 199737Win34–2–1Manuel Jesus HerreraUD12Dec 15, 199636Win33–2–1Alli GalvezTKO2(12)Sep 19, 199635Win32–2–1Shiro YahiroTKO9(12)Aug 10, 199634Win31–2–1Bonifacio TeradoPTS6Jun 7, 199633Win30–2–1Joma GamboaTKO7(12)Apr 27, 199632Win29–2–1Antonio PérezTKO4(12)Feb 24, 199631Win28–2–1Yuichi HosonoKO4(12)Nov 12, 199530Win27–2–1Humberto GonzálezTKO7(12)Jul 15, 199529Win26–2–1David FrancoKO6(10)May 18, 199528Win25–2–1Alexis JaniolaKO4(10)Mar 15, 199527Win24–2–1Al TarazonaUD10Feb 15, 199526Win23–2–1Edwin TalitaPTS10Dec 21, 199425Win22–2–1Rico MacaubosKO3(?)Oct 12, 199424Win21–2–1David FrancoPTS10Aug 14, 199423Win20–2–1Alpong NavajaKO4(?)Jun 15, 199422Win19–2–1Jaime AliguinKO3(?)Apr 20, 199421Win18–2–1Sammy Tyson PagadanKO5(?)Feb 16, 199420Win17–2–1John MedinaKO4(?)Dec 15, 199319Win16–2–1Bernardo BelamuchoKO4(?)Sep 15, 199318Loss15–2–1Ricardo LópezKO2(12)Jul 3, 199317Win15–1–1Aswin SithlakmuangKO8(?)Jan 17, 199316Loss14–1–1Aswin SithlakmuangPTS6Aug 25, 199215Draw14–0–1Roberto PadillaPTS10Jul 10, 199214Win14–0Suk Hang JaeKO3(?)Apr 3, 199213Win13–0Nilo AnosaKO2(?)Dec 14, 199112Win12–0Aswin SingnakloeaKO1(?)Oct 5, 199111Win11–0Darwin MKO7(?)Jul 14, 199110Win10–0Pepe SitharanKO1(?)Jun 11, 19919Win9–0Putlek OhyuthanakornKO3(?)May 14, 19918Win8–0Tutachai LukpintornKO1(?)Mar 8, 19917Win7–0Bangpleenoi PoryontrakitKO2(?)Feb 23, 19916Win6–0Rome ChaalortonPTS4Nov 18, 19905Win5–0Bunlert SorkettalingcheKO4(?)Aug 22, 19904Win4–0Lui SingsuannamKO5(?)Jul 23, 19903Win3–0Panom ChorungsakKO1(?)Jun 17, 19902Win2–0Kongkwan LukmaoklongPTS4Apr 8, 19901Win1–0Ekawit SingkrungthonKO4Des 24, 1989

See also List of light flyweight boxing champions List of WBC world champions List of IBF world champions

References

External links

Saman Sorjaturong - CBZ Profile - Saman Sorjaturong http://www.sportenote.com/vedi_dettagli.asp?id=47289