The Isuzu Cup, also known as the Isuzu Tournament, or the Isuzu Cup Tournament was traditionally an 8-man Muay Thai tournament which took place at Siam Omnoi Stadium in Samut Sakhon every year. It is now a 6-team tournament held by Thai Fight. The tournament is organized by the Tri-Petch Group, owned by Isuzu Motors Ltd., and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand. It is the most prestigious and longest-standing tournament still active in the sport of Muay Thai.
History The first Isuzu tournament started in late 1990 under the management of Damrong Puttan and Songchai Rattanasuban at Omnoi Stadium. The final took place in early 1991 where Rattananoi Tansarinkhan won a decision over Weesanusak Wor.Weerakul.
In 1991, the tournament was moved to Samrong Stadium in Samrong, Ubon Ratchathani, under the management of local promoter Anucha Wacharatangka, the manager of eventual tournament-runner-up Yodkhunpon Sittraiphum.
In 1992, the tournament was once again moved, this time to Rajadamnern Stadium and would be managed by Pol. Col. Sewak Pinsinchai, the owner of Pinsinchai Gym and Asawindam ("Black Knight") promotion, and manager of eventual tournament-runner-up Burklerk Pinsinchai.
In 1994, the Isuzu Cup tournament returned to its original location at Omnoi Stadium and would be under the management of Chain Muangchon (Wirat Praianan) - the main promoter of the stadium, - until 2023.
In 2011, as the Tri-Petch Group became a sponsor of the new Thai Fight promotion, which aims for higher-weight talent, the tournament weight was raised to over 135 lbs for the first time. The winner of the Isuzu Cup, Kem Sitsongpeenong was entered into the second edition of the Thai Fight Tournament, which he ultimately won against Fabio Pinca, the winner of the first Thai Fight Tournament in 2010.
From 2012 until 2024, the winner of the Isuzu Tournament would have to participate in the Isuzu Cup Super Fight in order to qualify for the Thai Fight Tournament.
No tournament was held in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, the tournament was moved away from Siam Omnoi Stadium for the first time since 1993, as it was entirely fought in a studio at BITEC Bangna in the Thai Fight promotion. The tournament format was overhauled in the following year.
Tournament progression The Isuzu Cup Tournament is divided into three stages, starting with the Group Stage, in which the eight participants are divided into two groups accordingly called Group A and B. Each fighters has to fight all of the other members in his group and accumulate points before being able to move onto the next stage. The point system:
0 points for a loss 1 point for a draw 2 points for a decision win 3 points for a (technical) knockout win or decision win with a big cut on the opponent
The two fighters with the most points in each group will move on to the second stage, the Semi-finals, with the following match-ups:
Group A winner vs Group B runner-up Group B winner vs Group A runner-up
The last stage is the tournament Final, which pits the winners of the Semi-finals against each other.
Format change (since 2024) In 2024, the format was changed. Each region of Thailand would put forward a team of three fighters, one for each contested weight: 143, 147, and 152 lbs. Six teams—Upper Isan, Lower Isan, North, Central, East, and South—were assembled, and the representatives of each team fought against representatives of rival teams to earn points:
0 points for a loss 1 point for a draw 2 points for a decision win 3 points for a (technical) knockout win The four teams with the most points will meet each other in the Semi-finals, and the winning teams will move onto the Final.
Prize As of 2020:
The Isuzu Cup champion is awarded ฿1,000,000 Thai baht, and an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck. Additionally, they will have to participate in the Isuzu Cup Super Fight. The runner-up is awarded ฿500,000 Thai baht. Third place is awarded ฿300,000 Thai baht, and fourth place is awarded ฿200,000 Thai baht.
Tournament winners
+N°YearWinnerRunner-upWeightNotes11990 Rattananoi Tansaringkhan Weesanusak Wor.WeerakulN/A21991 Robert Kaennorasing Yodkhunpon Sittraiphum116 lbsHeld at Samrong Stadium in Ubon Ratchathani.31992 Lakhin Wassantasit Burklerk Pinsinchai115 lbsHeld at Rajadamnern Stadium.41994 Malaitong Saktewan Jaruad ManwootN/AThe tournament was moved back to Omnoi Stadium.51995 MuayEk Kiatchaiyong Morakot Sor.ThamarangsiN/A61996 Suwitlek Sor.Kaokarat Chanchai Sor.Thammrangsri135 lbs71997 Anantasak Panyuthaphum Singdam Or.Ukrit126 lbs81998 Samingdet Chor.Watcharin Petchawang AboriginN/A91999 Manja Kiatnapachai Detpanom LukprabahtN/A102000 Saengmorakot Sor.Ploenchit Ittidet Sor.BoonyaN/A112001 Saenchernglek Jirakriangkrai Pokaew Sitchafuang115 lbs122002 Pinsiam Sor.Amnuaysirichok Wansongkram Or.Phanatnikhom118 lbs132003 Panomrunglek Kiatmuu9 Wanwiset Lukbanyai108 lbsDue to a draw in the initial Final, the two had to fight again to decide the tournament winner.142004 Anuwat Kaewsamrit Duwao Kongudom122 lbsAnuwat won the Sports Authority and Sports Writers Fighter of the Year Award in that year.152005 Surasing Nongkeepahuyuth Sittisak Sit-Or118 lbs162006 Rakkiat Kiatprapat Rittichak Kaewsamrit118 lbs172007 Phet-Ek Sitjaopho Longern Pitakruchaidan125 lbs182008 Rungruanglek Lukprabat Manasak Narupai118 lbs192009 Yodtuanthong Wiramanokul Parnpet Chor Na Phatthalung130 lbs202010 Petchmankong Phetfergus Saenchainoi Phumpanmuang135 lbs212011 Kem Sitsongpeenong Nopparat Keatkhamtorn148 lbsFirst year of Thai Fight partnership, hence the tournament weight increase for following years.222012 Singmanee Kaewsamrit Superbon Lukjaomaesaivaree145 lbs232013 Fahmongkol Sor.Jor.Danrayong Sinmanut Sor.Sarinya140 lbs242014 Chanajon P.K.Saenchaigym Ekchanachai Kaewsamrit159 lbs252015 Rungrawee P.K.SaenchaiMuaythaiGym Detrit Poptheratham154 lbs262016 PTT Phetrungruang Diesellek Pangkongprab154 lbs272017 Aroondet Phetsupaphan Duangsompong Nayok-A-Thasala147 lbs282018 Satanfah Puicharleefresh Chalampet Tor.Laksong147 lbs292019 Petchmahachon Jitmuangnon Ploywitthaya Petsimuen138 lbs302020 Kongklai EnnyMuayThai Prabsuk Si-Opal140 lbsKongklai went on to win the SAT Fighter of the Year Award by unanimous vote.312021 Petchthongchai T.B.M.Gym Hercules Phetsimean138 lbsThe final was delayed for nine months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.322023 Suksawat Sangmorakot Thongchai Petruangrueng143 lbsThe tournament was fought in Thai Fight studio in BITEC Bangna.332024 Klasuek Arwutfightgear (North Team) Petchpakmai Chor.Chanamuaythai (Central Team)143 lbsThe North Team defeated the Central Team 3–0, earning a unanimous victory. The tournament finals were held outdoors under heavy rain due to a monsoon in Thailand. Samurai Si-Opal (North Team) Yodthewin Mor.Rajabhatchombueng (Central Team)147 lbs Worachaklek Kiatchatchai (North Team) Chanachai Chor.Chanamuaythai (Central Team)152 lbs
Rules The tournament is conducted in Sports Authority of Thailand Muay Thai rules:
Each fight consists of 5 rounds of 3 minutes with 2-minute breaks between each round. Fights can be won by decision, knockout, or technical knockout. Fights are conducted with 8 oz boxing gloves.
Since 2024 The tournament is conducted under Thai Fight Kard Chuek rules:
Each fight consists of 3 rounds of 3 minutes with 2-minute breaks between each round and the possibility of an extra round in case of a draw. Fights can be won by decision, knockout, or technical knockout. Fights are conducted with Kard Chuek rope wraps.
References