Saenchai

Early career

Saenchai started learning Muay Thai when he was 8 years old. He decided to start learning Muay Thai in Jockey 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.Kamsing".

In 1997 at age 16^[4] 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 "Sangpetch Patanakan Gym" 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 visited Japan twice to fight and Khamsing agreed at those times, but Khamsing disagreed the third time. Although Khamsing tried to stop Saenchai from going to Japan, he went there with some Muay Thai fighters from another gym. Because of this incident, Khamsing broke off relations with Saenchai, and Saenchai moved to Kingstar gym. At this time, Khamsing received 300,000 Baht from Kingstar gym as a transfer fee. ^[5] 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 at 2R with a right hook.^[6]

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 F.A. 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 Sakeddaow Petchpayathai. 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

Saenchai vs Tetsuya Yamato on March 2010.

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

On January 21, 2012 Saenchai 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.^[7]

He beat Pakorn Sakyothin by decision at Super Showdown 4 in Glasgow, Scotland on November 10, 2012^[8][9] and then took a points victory over Damian Alamos twelve days later at Best of Siam 2 in Paris, France.^[10][11] 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.^[12]

He outpointed the bowl cut Diesellek Aoodonmuang at Yokkao Extreme 2013 on January 26, 2013 in Milan, Italy.^{[13][14][15][16]}

On March 9, 2013, Saenchai outpointed Houcine Bennoui at Siam Warriors in Cork, Ireland.^[17][18]

He lost to 17-year-old phenom Yodwicha Por Boonsit on points at Lumpinee on May 10, 2013.^[19][20] The pair were set to rematch on June 7, 2013 but a lingering neck injury forced Saenchai out of the bout.^[21][22]

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.^{[23][24][25][26]}

He beat Raphael Bohic by unanimous decision at Muay Thai Warriors: Dabble in Chiang Mai on June 28, 2013 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.^[27][28]

Saenchai ran through a field of overmatched farangs to win the Toyota Vigo Marathon Tournament on July 24, 2013 in Phitsanulok.^[29][30]

Saenchai beat Kongsak Sitboonmee by decision in a rematch at Rajadamnern on August 8, 2013.^[31][32][33]

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.^[34] However, he denied ever being on the card.^[35]

He fought Andrei Kulebin at Combat Renaissance in China on September 17, 2013.^[36]

He beat Singdam Kiatmuu9 by decision at Yokkao 5 in Pattaya, Thailand on November 15, 2013.^[37][38]

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.^[39][40]

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.^[41][42][43]

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.^[44]

Saenchai beat Nong-O on points in a three-rounder at the grand opening of the new Lumpinee Stadium on February 28, 2014.^[45]

Saenchai defeated Shota Sato via unanimous decision at Hoost Cup: Legend in Nagoya, Japan on March 23, 2014.^[46][47]

He beat Kamen Picken via UD at Combat Banchamek in Surin, Thailand on April 14, 2014.^[48]

He defeated Bertrand Lambert via decision at Muay Thai in Macau on June 6, 2014.^[49]

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.^[50]

Saenchai PkMuayThai made his debut in Thai Fight’s ring, defeating the strong Scottish Craig Dickson (Sumalee) (Kard Chuek fight).

2017

Saenchai defeated Shan Cangelosi of Italy by decision in the main event at Thai Fight Turin on May 27, 2017 in Turin, Italy.^[51] Saenchai took a unanimous decision against Spanish Jonathan Fabian at Yokkao 26 on September 11, 2017 in Hong Kong.^[52] Saenchai defeated Juan Salmeron by decision on September 30, 2017 at Thai Fight Barcelona. ^[53]

Saenchai fought and defeated American Arthur Sorsor by decision at Khmer - Thai Fight held on November 25, 2017 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.^[54]