Nattawut Jantaweemol (, born 11 November 1968), later Muangchai Jantaweemol (), known professionally as Muangchai Kittikasem (), is a Thai former professional boxer who competed between 1988 and 1999. He is the first Thai to be a world champion in two weight classes, having held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title from 1989 to 1990 and the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title from 1991 to 1992.
Muay Thai career His experience with Muay Thai began when he was just a boy. He and his friends had gone to a temple fair held some distance from their hometown, where a small prize was offered: 150 baht for the winner, 100 for the loser. Drawn in by the chance to earn a bit of money, they signed up for the bouts—despite having no training or prior experience.
Amazingly, he managed to defeat an opponent who had already fought around 10 times. He returned home the next morning and handed the 150 baht prize to his mother. When his father heard the story, he began training the boys in an empty space behind their house—even though he himself had no experience or background as a trainer.
Incredibly, when the boy stepped into the ring again, he went on to win nine fights in a row.
Kittikasem reportedly fought in around 100 Muay Thai matches, using a series of ring names — Jinjok Sithphorum (), Jingjok Uvichaiyont (), and Muangchai Singnonsuan (), respectively. His career took him through both rural and Bangkok arenas, though he never secured a championship title.
He changed to boxing when a promoter needed a short-term replacement on one of his cards. In professional boxing, he has had three managers in total: Kitti Akkraseranee, Song Karnchanachoosak and Songchai Rattanasuban.
Professional boxing career The relentless pressure fighter Kittikasem started to fight professionally in 1988. In only his 7th bout 1989 he won the IBF junior-flyweight title on points against Filipino Tacy Macalos and defended it against the same fighter by KO. After two defenses, he went to the United States to defend the crown against undefeated amateur star Michael Carbajal in 1990. In the bout, he was knocked down four times by the American and injured his chin during the 7th round. His chin became his major weakness since then.
He went up in weight and won the WBC and lineal flyweight title by KO in a 6-round fight against his countryman Sot Chitalada the very next year. Kittikasem KOd Jung Koo Chang and stopped Chitalada once again in the rematch.
He lost another title to another amateur world champion, Russian Yuri Arbachakov, in 1992. The fight took place in Japan, and ended in an explosive KO when Kittikasem ran right in a counter. In 1993, he was KO'd one more time by Arbachakov, this time in Thailand.
He had a couple more fights but never contended again.
Retirement After retiring permanently from boxing, he worked as a used car dealer in Thawi Watthana district, a western suburb of Bangkok, up until the major flood of 2011. He was also active in local politics as a member of the Pheu Thai Party and was considered a close associate of Wan Yubamrung, son of Chalerm Yubamrung. He ran three times for a seat on the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) in the Bang Bon district, but was unsuccessful each time.
In addition, he had some involvement in the showbiz, appearing in supporting roles in several television dramas and films — such as The Legend of Suriyothai in 2001, Sin Sisters in 2002.
Personal life He is divorced and has two children. Kittikasem hailed Carbajal as the best opponent he had ever faced.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes29Loss25–4Shigeru NakazatoRTD4 (10)22 Feb 199928Win25–3Joey Boy GaabonKO3 (10)11 May 199627Win24–3Jun LansaderasKO1 (?)10 Jun 199526Win23–3Rocky MarcialKO3 (?)6 Apr 199525Loss22–3Yuri ArbachakovTKO9 (12), 20 Mar 199324Win22–2Park Chan-woo TKO3 (?)17 Dec 199223Win21–2Kim Ki-jung KO6 (?)4 Oct 199222Loss20–2Yuri ArbachakovKO8 (12), 23 Jun 199221Win20–1Tarman GarzimPTS1027 May 199220Win19–1Eddy PermasugiPTS104 Apr 199219Win18–1Sot ChitaladaTKO9 (12), 28 Feb 199218Win17–1Alberto JimenezMD1225 Oct 199117Win16–1Lito GonzagaPTS106 Aug 199116Win15–1Chang Jung-kooTKO12 (12), 18 May 199115Win14–1Sot ChitaladaTKO6 (12), 15 Feb 199114Win13–1Welgie LeonoraKO3 (10)4 Jan 199113Win12–1Vic GalmeKO1 (10)25 Sep 199012Loss11–1Michael CarbajalTKO7 (12), 29 Jul 199011Win11–0Abdi PohanUD1210 Apr 199010Win10–0Jeung-Jae LeeTKO3 (12), 19 Jan 19909Win9–0Ippo GalaUD1028 Nov 19898Win8–0Tacy MacalosTKO7 (12), 6 Oct 19897Win7–0Tacy MacalosSD122 May 19896Win6–0Nongberd NaphatayaTKO5 (?)8 Apr 19895Win5–0Eddie BagunavaKO4 (?)3 Feb 19894Win4–0Kwanjai SorpengpitTKO5 (?)27 Dec 1988 3Win3–0Seung Yub KangTKO3 (?)18 Nov 1988 2Win2–0Hisao NayukiKO1 (10)6 Sep 1988 1Win1–0Udin BaharudinPTS1010 Jun 1988
Muay Thai record
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-04-29|| Win||align=left| Seesod Sahakarnosot || || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 2 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-04-12|| Win||align=left| Eddie Sitwatsiripong || || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 2 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-02-05|| Win||align=left| Sittichai Monsongkram || || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 2 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-01-05|| Win||align=left| Wanthongchai Sitdaothong || || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1987-10-06|| Win||align=left| Yodsuwan Sityodtong || || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1987-09-08|| Win||align=left| Sittichok Monsongkhram || || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 3 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1987-07-17|| Loss||align=left| Kawnar Bualuangprakanphay|| || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1987-05-15|| Win||align=left| Sittichok Monsongkhram || || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 3 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1987-03-21|| Loss ||align=left| Khunpon Sor.Wattana || || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision|| 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1987-01-06|| Win||align=left| Superlek Chor.Sawat || || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 2 || |- | colspan=9 | Legend:
See also Lineal championship List of world light-flyweight boxing champions List of world flyweight boxing champions
References
External links
Muangchai Kittikasem - CBZ Profile