Namphon Nongkee Pahuyuth

Namphon Nongkee Pahuyuth (Thai: นำพล หนองกี่พาหุยุทธ; May 19, 1969 – September 19, 2016) was a former Thai Muay Thai kickboxer. He fought and was very famous in the 80s. In addition, he is also elder brother of another famous Muay Thai kickboxer Namkabuan Nongkeeprawayuth.

Biography & career

Namphon (nickname: Khaek; แขก) was born on May 19, 1969 in Tambon Jan Tuek, Amphoe Nong Ki, Buriram province. He has been Muay Thai since childhood from the training and support by Pramote Hoymook, local physical education teacher who is the owner of Muay Thai gym "Nongkee Pahuyuth". He became successful and famous in Surin and Nakhon Ratchasima before going to fight in Bangkok until become a Muay Thai superstar during 1988–91.^[3]

He fought with many famous Muay Thai kickboxers at that time, such as Samart Payakaroon, Cherry S. Wanich, Saengtiennoi Sor. Rungrot, Petdum Look Borai, Panomtoanlek Sor. Sirinan, Neutharonee Tongraja, Superlek Sorn E-Sarn, Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong, Samranthong Kiatbanchong, Pompetch Naratreekul, Orono Por Muang Ubon etc, especially with Cherry S. Wanich is considered his main rival and Samart Payakaroon he has been fighting five times which he only beat once.

He won three-weight championships of the Lumpinee Stadium including Light flyweight (108 lbs), Flyweight (112 lbs), and Featherweight (126 lbs). He often fights as a main event in the title "Suek Onesongchai" by Songchai Rattanasuban as promoter his highest salary is 240,000–260,000 baht. Namphon was a favourite with Muay Thai fans due to his fighting style especially his fierce weapon is a knee strike until he was given the nickname "Decayed face Knees" because he often has bloody wounds after the fight, especially on the face or eyebrows. Throughout his career life it was recorded that he had been 268 stitches and the only time most is 72 stitches.^[3][1]

In 1990 he fought against Ramon Dekkers of the Netherlands twice. In the first, he was defeated by unanimous decision in Amsterdam, Netherlands but the second fight he was wins at Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok.

Retirement & death

In 1993, he suffered a car accident, to consist the highest point in the life of a kickboxer. He retired only 24 years old.^[2]

After retirement, he opened a Mu kratha restaurant in the Nakhon Ratchasima for a while^[4] , it's closed down. Later, he returned to live in his native, Buriram by living a simple life and trained the children to practice Muay Thai in his old gym in sometime.

In 2013, he became ill with pneumonitis from too much drinking and smoking for many years^[2], until his body became very thin. He died at Nang Rong Hospital at 5:00 pm on 19th September 2016, tote 47 years old.^{[1] [3]}

Titles

Three different weights:

• Lumpinee Stadium Light flyweight (108 lbs)
• Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight (112 lbs)
• Lumpinee Stadium Featherweight (126 lbs)

References