Berkrerk Chartvanchai (; October 25, 1944 – March 7, 2022) was a Thai professional Muay Thai fighter and boxer. He was a WBA World Flyweight Champion, the third Thai in history to hold a version of the World Flyweight title (The first one is Pone Kingpetch, the second is Chartchai Chionoi).. In Muay Thai he was a two weight Lumpinee Stadium Champion.
Biography and career Early life and Muay Thai career Chartvanchai was born in Thai Chinese family on October 25, 1944 in Phra Nakhon District near Memorial Bridge, Bangkok, Thailand. His real name was Tinapong Sae-han (ติณพงษ์ แซ่ห่าน) or Tinapong Hantanasirisakul (ติณพงษ์ หาญตนศิริสกุล). He started learning Muay Thai at the age of 14 from the "Sornphajon" camp and competed under the ring name "Kachachai Kingpetch". In 1962, the Lukyodfah camp was formed near his home, he moved there and was given the name "Berikrit Lukyodfah" (เบิกฤกษ์ ลูกยอดฟ้า). Later, his benefactor, Suchart Thaisit, established the Chartwanchai boxing camp with Supachai Phinthuwattana (Sarakham) as trainer.
He won the Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight championship in 1964. He then won the Lumpinee Bantamweight championship in 1966 and defended it multiple times before relinquishing his belt to switch to boxing as he was running out of opponents in Muay Thai.
Boxing transition
Berkrerk transitioned to boxing under the guidance of promoter Boonsong Kitklamsawan (head of the Srisothorn camp). He began competitive professional boxing in early 1966, and in his first twenty-seven bouts through January 1970, he won twenty-four with the remaining three as draws. Nearly all of his early bouts took place in his native Bangkok. By June 1967, he was fighting better known opponents, winning his first bout with Bernabe Villacampo on May 6, 1969, in a ten round points decision.
Taking the WBA World Flyweight Title
Chartvanchai took the WBA World Flyweight Title on April 5, 1970 against Bernabe Villacampo in a fifteen round split decision at Charusathian Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand. In a close bout, the Associated Press had the scoring 73-70 for Chartvanchai."Berkrerk Fly King", Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, pg. 28, 7 April 1970 Chartvanchai used primarily body punches and solid defense to take the title. He made Villicampo miss repeatedly and scored frequently with blows to the torso. In the eighth he opened a cut above Villacampo's eye that bothered his opponent throughout the remainder of the bout."Thailander Captures Title", Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, pg. 29, 7 April 1970 One source noted "Villicampo...was the more aggressive but could not land telling blows." Many of Chartvanchai's best scoring punches were quick strikes to the torso after breaking out of clinches."Second Thai Claims Flyweight Throne", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 52, 7 April 1970
On July 25, 1970, in a non-title fight he lost to Filipino boxer Erbito Salavario in a non-title ten round fight in Manila. Salavario was Flyweight Champion of the Orient. Chartvantchai at 115, outweighed his opponent by two pounds."Flyweight Champion Falls in Ten Rounds", The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Corpus Christi, Texas, pg. 47, 26 July 1970
Losing the WBA World Flyweight Title
On October 22, 1970, he lost the WBA World Flyweight Title in a thirteenth round knockout against Masao Oba in a title bout at Nichidi Auditorium in Tokyo, Japan. According to one source, the bout was postponed from its initial date when Chartvanchai took ill with a high fever.Chartvanchi had high fever in "Tessman is Next on Foster's List", Asbury Park Press, Asbury, New Jersey, pg. 14, 6 April 1970Bout took place at Nichidi Auditorium in "Title Foes Tomorrow", The Post Standard, Syracuse, New York, pg.30, 21 October 1970 Chartvanchai was down three times in the third round before finally being called out for the full count at their bout at Nihon University. Enrique Jimenez refereed. Chartvanchai was finished off with a volley of punches to the head at 2:16 into the thirteenth round. He had trouble making the weight limit, even after doing light exercise and taking a steam bath, which may have weakened him for the bout. Oba gained a considerable lead in points throughout the match.Oba Kayos Chartvanchai for Flyweight Title", San Antonio Express, San Antonio, Texas, pg. 58, 23 October 1970
Retirement
After retiring he changed his real name to Berkrerk Chartvanchai. Chartvanchai studied at the Postal School, and worked as a postal employee of the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) until retirement in 2004. He later lived with his family at Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province. Chartvanchai died on March 7, 2022, at the age of 77.
Titles and accomplishments
Muay Thai
Lumpinee Stadium 1964 Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight (112 lbs) Champion 1966 Lumpinee Stadium Bantamweight (118 lbs) title Two successful title defenses
Boxing World Boxing Association 1970 WBA Flyweight Champion
Muay Thai record
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1973-01-15 || Win||align=left| Chalermsak Ploenjit || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1971-10-15 || Win||align=left| Sornnarai Lukmahlok|| Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1968-02-26 || Win||align=left| Sukhum Khemchart || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1967-11-04 || Win||align=left| Weerachon Lukngamsiri || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1967-03-28 || Win||align=left| Weerachon Lukngamsiri || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1967-02-21 || Win||align=left| Sathandet Muangpathum|| Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || TKO || 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1967-01-25 || Win||align=left| Udomchai Luksuandok|| || Phitsanulok province, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1966-12-30 || Win||align=left| Weerachon Lukngamsiri || WBA Chionoi vs McGowan, Kittikhachorn Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1966-10-18 || Win||align=left| Lakchai Lukmatuli || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1966-07-05 || Win||align=left| Sathandet Muangpathum || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1966-06-16 || Win||align=left| Wiangchai Lukchaopaya || Chaopitak, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO || 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1965-06-04 || Win||align=left| Sinchainoi Laemfapha || Jompichit, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" |1965-04-13 || Loss ||align=left| Sornnarai Lukmahlok|| Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Knee to the body)|| 2 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;" |1965- || Loss ||align=left| Baiyok Laemfapha|| Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1965-01-26 || Win||align=left| Kaikaew Yontrakit || Singha Asanee, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1964-11-03 || Win||align=left| Phaedcha Srichantopas || Yod Muay Thai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1964-09-01 || Win||align=left| Sanguansak Ittianuchit || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Elbow)|| 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1964-08-04 || Win||align=left| Kingthong Ariphai || Chom Muay Thai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1964-06-23 || Win||align=left| Kaikaew Yontrakit || Singha Suradej, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" |1964-05-19 || Win||align=left| Chanchai Samranrat || Phruksasingh, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- | colspan=9 | Legend:
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes24Loss16–8Fernando CabanelaKO5 (10)17 Dec 197323Loss16–7 Hong Soo-hwanPTS107 Oct 197322Loss16–6Thanomchit SukhothaiKO10 (10)31 Jul 197321Loss16–5Zensuke UtagawaPTS107 Aug 197220Win16–5Francisco CruzPTS1026 Jan 197219Loss15–4 Chartchai ChionoiPTS1015 Nov 1971 WBA flyweight title eliminator18Win15–4Yoshiaki MatsumotoPTS1020 Sep 197117Win14–4Takeo SukegawaTKO8 (10)2 Aug 197116Win13–3Pedro CerioPTS1031 May 197115Loss12–3Kazuyoshi KanazawaKO4 (10)1 Feb 197114Loss12–2 Masao OhbaKO13 (15), 22 Oct 197013Loss12–1 Erbito SalavarriaUD1025 Jul 197012Win12–0Bernabe VillacampoSD155 Apr 197011Win11–0Vil TumulakPTS1026 Jan 197010Win10–0Felipe GonzalezPTS1013 Oct 19699Win9–0Willy Del PradoPTS108 Aug 19698Win8–0Kriengkrai YingsakPTS107 Jul 19697Win7–0Bernabe VillacampoPTS106 May 19696Win6–0Wittayanoi SinghyodfahKO4 (10)27 Mar 19695Win5–0Ric MagramoPTS1022 Jan 19694Win4–0Jaime PitalboPTS1013 Sep 1968 3Win3–0Thawatchai Lukkarat YothinKO511 Aug 1968 2Win2–0Saknoi Sor.KosumbPTS83 Jul 1968 1Win1–0Somruk Ror.Sor.PorKO819 Dec 1967
References
External links
Achievements