Suphachai Saepong (; born July 30, 1980), known professionally as Saenchai (), is a Thai professional Muay Thai fighter and former professional boxer. He is a former six-time Lumpinee Stadium champion across four divisions as well as the 1999 and 2008 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year. Nicknamed the "Ultimate Boxer from Sarakham", he is often regarded as one of the greatest and most talented fighters in the history of Muay Thai.
Saenchai would often give up weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand, and from 2003 to 2014 only lost two times in Thailand when the weights were equal, with all other losses happening when he was forced to have a weight disadvantage to make the fights more equal. Since 2010 he has fought 88 times in 15 countries and is perhaps the most active international fighter. He is known for his excellent head movement, defensive footwork, unconventional kicks, and jumping attacks. His speed, athleticism, and the large variety in his unorthodox arsenal made him an exceptionally difficult opponent to prepare for. Incorporating Muay Boran style kicks and manoeuvres, he is known as a showman. He retired from serious competition in Thailand in 2014 and now solely competes in showcase fights around the world against foreign, usually bigger opponents. Upon retiring from competition on the Thai circuit he was still able to make 130 pounds, with his final fight being forced to make 129 pounds.
Since 2014, Saenchai has frequently competed at the Thai Fight promotion, a Thailand-based promotion. He has often been the headliner at more recent Thai Fight events and has won five King's Cup titles with the promotion at 67 kg and 70 kg. He holds the promotion's records for most titles with 5 and all-time wins with 52. As a professional boxer, he fought in the Featherweight division and retired with an undefeated record. Outside his competitive fighting career, Saenchai has appeared in films and documentaries such as Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya (2010) and Lumpinee (2018).https://jpfmovies.com/tag/saenchai-sor-kingstar/https://www.onefc.com/lifestyle/5-one-championship-superstars-who-appeared-in-movies/https://mubi.com/en/gb/films/lumpinee-2018
Biography
Early career
Saenchai started learning Muay Thai when he was 8 years old. He decided to start learning Muay Thai in Jocky gym when his friend's elder brother received a prize after a bout. He debuted after training for only a week, and he won his first bout by decision receiving 30 Baht (≒$1).
He started fighting in Bangkok when he was 14 years old, then transferred to Kamsing gym owned by Somluck Kamsing. Kamsing paid 300,000 Baht as a transfer fee. This is the reason Saenchai's ring name was Saenchai Sor.Khamsing (แสนชัย ส.คำสิงห์).
In 1997, at age 16, Saenchai won the title of Lumpinee stadium championship at super flyweight. When he was 18, he won the title of Lumpinee stadium championship at bantamweight.
Turning to boxing
In 2002, Saenchai turned to boxing. He debuted as "Suphachai Saenpong" at featherweight. He fought against Rud 4K Kevkatchewon from Philippines to challenge for the vacant interim title of PABA on November 27, 2003, and he won the title by unanimous decision. In January 2004, he retained his PABA title against Rud.
In 2004, he decided to go back to Muay Thai again.
Discord with Khamsing
Saenchai traveled to Japan on two occasions for competitions, with the consent of Khamsing each time. A disagreement arose during plans for a third visit, which Khamsing opposed. Despite this, Saenchai went to Japan with fighters from another gym. As a result, their professional relationship deteriorated, leading Saenchai to join Kingstar gym. Following the move, Kingstar gym compensated Khamsing with a transfer fee of 300,000 Baht.
On July 3, 2006, Saenchai fought against Sang-Soo Lim from Korea in Japan. Saenchai was going to fight against Shinya Ishige but he was replaced two weeks earlier as he had been injured during training. Lim was 21 cm taller and 10 kg heavier than Saenchai but Saenchai knocked out Lim in 2R with a right hook.
On July 3, 2009, Saenchai fought against two Muay Thai fighters in the single bout at Lumpinee stadium. During 1 to 3 round, he fought against Petchboonchu FA Group. Petchboonchu tried to attack aggressively at 1R, but Saenchai carried throughout his stamina-saving style and broke Petchboonchu's balance several times. During 4 to 5 round, Saenchai fought against Sagetdao Petpayathai. Saenchai controlled his critical distance with front-kicks and middle-kicks and he threw telling blows more than Sakeddaow did. The referee announced Saenchai's victory with unanimous decision after 5R.
Winning world title
On March 14, 2010, Saenchai fought against Tetsuya Yamato from Japan to challenge the vacant world lightweight title sanctioned by Muay Thai Association of America (MTAA) in Los Angeles. Saenchai knocked out Yamato with left high kick at 1R, and won the MTAA title.
Career highlights
In 2011, Saenchai was signed by Yokkao founder, Philip Villa as a sponsored fighter of the Yokkao Fight Team. In the same year, Saenchai led the Muay Thai Combat Fan Expo in Rimini, Italy with Buakaw Banchamek, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, Dzhabar Askerov and many others.
On January 21, 2012, Saenchai fought at Yokkao Extreme 2012 in front of 12,000 attendees. He lost for the first time against a European in Muay Thai rules. The fight took place in Milan Italy against the foreign Thai boxer, Fabio Pinca. Saenchai had beaten Pinca years earlier. Despite the 12 kg weight difference, Saenchai put up a good fight. However, by the third round the size difference was starting to pay off for Pinca. He used his strength to tie Saenchai up and win a close but controversial decision. A headbutt by Pinca on Saenchai went unpunished as well as Saenchai's streak of 20 or more straight wins against foreign fighters was snapped.
He rematched Singdam Kiatmoo9 on October 4, 2012, at Rajadamnern, and won by decision.
He beat Pakorn Sakyothin by decision at Super Showdown 4 in Glasgow, Scotland on November 10, 2012, and then took a points victory over Damian Alamos twelve days later at Best of Siam 2 in Paris, France. Saenchai then defeated Liam Harrison for the third time at Muay Thai Warriors in Macau on December 9, 2012, taking a clear-cut unanimous decision.
He outpointed the bowl cut Diesellek Aoodonmuang at Yokkao Extreme 2013 on January 26, 2013, in Milan, Italy.
On March 9, 2013, Saenchai outpointed Houcine Bennoui at Siam Warriors in Cork, Ireland.
He lost to 17-year-old phenom Yodwicha Por Boonsit on points at Lumpinee on May 10, 2013.Saenchai vs Yodwicha Lumpinee Supershow Full Card The pair were set to rematch on June 7, 2013, but a lingering neck injury forced Saenchai out of the bout.
He debuted under Oriental kickboxing rules at Hoost Cup: Kings in Nagoya, Japan on June 16, 2013, and beat Yosuke Mizuochi by unanimous decision in a three-round fight.
He beat Rafi Bohic by unanimous decision at Muay Thai Warriors: Dabble in Chiang Mai on June 28, 2013, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Saenchai ran through a field of overmatched farangs to win the Toyota Vigo Marathon Tournament on July 24, 2013, in Phitsanulok.
Saenchai beat Kongsak Sitboonmee by decision in a rematch at Rajadamnern on August 8, 2013. Fights Set for Rajadamnern Saenchai vs Kongsak Yodwicha vs Singdam
It was reported that he would fight Mickaël Piscitello at the WBC World Muay Thai Millennium Championship in Saint-Pierre, Réunion on September 7, 2013. However, he denied ever being on the card.
He fought Andrei Kulebin at Combat Renaissance in China on September 17, 2013.
He beat Singdam Kiatmuu9 by decision at Yokkao 5 in Pattaya, Thailand on November 15, 2013.
He lost an extension round decision to Kong Hong Xing at the K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Quarter Finals - Part 1 in Foshan, China on December 28, 2013.
2014
He lost to Petchboonchu FA Group on points at the last ever show held at the old Lumpinee Stadium on February 7, 2014.
Saenchai defeated Victor Nagbe by decision in a -65 kg match at Yokkao 7 in Pattaya, Thailand on February 19, 2014.
He was scheduled for a March 8, 2014, meeting with Irishman Stephen Hodgers at Origins IV at Welterweight (-64.00 kg/141 lb) in Perth, Western Australia. Saenchai was unable to compete, however, as he did not meet certain criteria demanded by the Western Australia Combat Sports Commission and was replaced by Komkit Chanawong.
Saenchai beat Nong-O on points in a three-rounder at the grand opening of the new Lumpinee Stadium on February 28, 2014.
Saenchai defeated Shota Sato via unanimous decision at Hoost Cup: Legend in Nagoya, Japan on March 23, 2014.
He beat Kamen Picken via UD at Combat Banchamek in Surin, Thailand on April 14, 2014.
He defeated Bertrand Lambert via decision at Muay Thai in Macau on June 6, 2014.
He will rematch Yetkin Özkul in a fight for the WMC World Lightweight (-61.2 kg/135 lb) Championship at Monte Carlo Fighting Masters 2014 in Monte Carlo, Monaco on June 14, 2014.
On September 24, 2014, Saenchai P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym made his debut on the Thai Fight stage, defeating the strong Scotsman Craig Dickson (Sumalee) under Kard Chuek rules (with rope bindings taking the place of gloves).
2017
Saenchai defeated Shan Cangelosi of Italy by decision in the main event at THAI FIGHT Turin on May 27, 2017, in Turin, Italy. Saenchai took a unanimous decision against Spanish Jonathan Fabian at Yokkao 26 on September 11, 2017, in Hong Kong. Saenchai defeated Juan Salmeron by decision on September 30, 2017, at Thai Fight Barcelona.
Saenchai fought and defeated American Arthur Sorsor by decision at KHMER - THAI FIGHT on November 25, 2017, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
2018
Saenchai went the entirety of 2018 undefeated in Muay Thai competition. He spent the whole year fighting in the THAI FIGHT circuit, going a perfect 9–0.
On January 27, 2018, he defeated Henrique Muller of Brazil by KO in the 3rd round at THAI FIGHT Bangkok 2017 to win the 2017 THAI FIGHT 67 kg King's Cup title, his second THAI FIGHT championship.
Saenchai then stopped Iran's Ramin Moazzami by 1st-round KO on March 24, 2018, at THAI FIGHT Mueang Khon 2018.
On April 21, 2018, he defeated Italy's Luca Roma THAI FIGHT Italy 2018 by unanimous decision.
On May 12, 2018, he defeated another Italian, Andrea Serra, by unanimous decision at THAI FIGHT Samui 2018.
On July 7, 2018, Saenchai defeated Amir Naseri of Iran at THAI FIGHT Hat Yai 2018.
On August 25, 2018, he defeated Russia's Nikita Surovezhkin by unanimous decision at THAI FIGHT Rayong 2018.
On October 27, 2018, Saenchai took a unanimous decision victory over Isaac Santos of Brazil at THAI FIGHT Chiang Rai 2018.
On November 24, 2018, he defeated Sif El Islam Djebaili by 1st-round KO at THAI FIGHT Saraburi 2018.
To close out the year, Saenchai faced Jamal Madani for the 2018 THAI FIGHT 67 kg title at THAI FIGHT Nakhon Ratchasima 2018 on December 22, 2018. After three rounds, Saenchai was awarded the unanimous decision victory and was crowned the 2018 THAI FIGHT 67 kg King's Cup Champion, claiming his third consecutive promotional title.
2019
Saenchai began the year fighting at Yokkao 36 in Italy on January 26, 2019, where he defeated Cristian Faustino by unanimous decision.
He returned to the THAI FIGHT stage in time for the first event of the year, where he faced Firdavs Boynazarov at THAI FIGHT Phuket 2019. Saenchai went on to defeat Boynazarov by unanimous decision.
On March 8, 2019, Saenchai headed out for the UAE to compete at Fight Night Dubai to battle Valerii Abramenko of Ukraine, whom he defeated by unanimous decision.
Saenchai returned to THAI FIGHT once again on March 30, 2019. At THAI FIGHT Mueang Khon 2019, he knocked out Javad Bigdeli of Iran in the 2nd round after a series of knees to the body.