The Unforgiving Kicks Part 16

Return of the Greatest and Immortality

The Great Apidej in his prime, 1965 - when he was the King of kings.

In western boxing, the standard age-old formula to beat a southpaw (left-handed bastard) is “Move to his right (the blind side) and keep throwing your right hand.” That solution, transplanted to muaythai, works just as well. It is “Manoeuver to your left (his right) and keep your right kick flying, switch to right knee and/or elbow once in-close.” Apidej’s supreme triumph over Kongdej (1969) was an eternal testimony to the truth in that doctrine. It was his 99th (corrected) fight in the 13th year of his career. Looking back, he had his peak when defeating Adul in his 46th bout (1962), following by annihilation of Sompongs and Dejrit, both living legends (1963), then donning the Lord of Muaythai title at the epic battle 1964 (61st fight). After the disastrous events in 1966-67 (when all his credit was lost), he came back to redeem the YMT throne in January 1968 (88th fight), by the terrific defeat of Dejrit in gladiatorial fashion..

His apotheosis in becoming immortal lay not so much on the aura of invincibility in his first reign as Yodmuaythai, but more significantly, upon his fall from grace, and saw rebound twice (1968 and 1969) to unequalled greatness, forging through some of the hardest ring battles, resisting or outclassing the very best of the new generation, in the likes of Dejrit (who fought him 11 times in all) , Monsawan (who TKO’d Danchai), Pananand (will destroy Sawamura in Japan), Kongdej (4-time rival), Huasai (1-1 score), Dejthai (will beat Raymond Edler) and army idol Buriram…. As he declined, losing became more common, but the world knew he was no longer the same divine warrior he once was. Father time, with no exception, took over in the end.

The last chapter

Out of the ring, he tried his hands on trading and operated a plantation, but being short on luck and the negative forces of climate did not help him, he had to follow the lead of destiny...

Kid with the Golden Shin, Pudpadnoi, in his prime, 1976.

Fate had him lured back into the arena in 1975, when he had a series of seven fights, against some of the best up-coming talents, lasting till March 1977. Whilst these were no doubt memorable visions for fans, it meant 5 losses and two wins on his record. The most talked-about one was his fight against Pudpadnoi Worrawut (Best boxer 1975), the Kid with the Golden Shin, a superb kicker fighting mostly around 132, who admittedly had idolized Apidej since he was a boy. The match was sensational, with legends from two eras meeting to decide, who the superior kicker was, and who would prevail, youthful speed or experience and maturity, in the end. The unique match was to be a stepping stone for Apidej to meet Put Lorlek (Yodmuaythai since 1973), should he surpass the kicker.

Apidej lashing at Pudpardnoi in Battle of the Ages 1975.

It was a depressing scene to see the old master of kicking comfortably outkicked by his much smaller rival. Gone were the fluidity of movements, and strength in those blessed legs of his, as the confident “Kid” rocked him with left kicks and embarrassed him with toss-downs. Once he whipped a high right to the latter’s head, but was cut down, unreservedly, by a low kick. As the young kickboxer was hurting his idol, he was at times unconsciously making hand gestures of pardon at his foe. He was simply too fast, and his dynamo too strong for the 34 year-old. The closing, which was rather touching, saw the victor kneeling before the vanquished, to tender apology. For the fiction-like sporting show, the old ring terror was paid 90,000 baht, in return for humiliation by his admirer.

The Put-Apidej showdown hence died an unspoken death.

In 1978, Apidej tried his hands again in a rural bout in Rajaburi, against freshman Chalemchai Thongpichai, but lost in round 3, via TKO on exhaustion.

Suda blasted out of the ring in round 1.

Then, he had the last fight of his career, 10 July 1983, in Hong Kong. Already aged 42, the old legend came out of retirement the 3rd and last time, to face Japan’s champion “One Samurai” Yashunori Suda (28), in answer partly to fans’ expectation, and partly to financial pressure (his ailing mother needed a surgical operation). 

Action in Apidej-Suda, round 1. It was almost one-sided at that stage. Author in the background.

Though completely dominant in the first round, when fans were strung by the sight of their idol and his legendary left kick in action, he suffered a totally unexpected TKO in the second, after being hit by a volley of punches. The author had the heart-breaking role as referee on that epical conflict.

Last fight of the Great Kicker, Hong Kong, 1983. Author rushing to his rescue, round 2.

It was one most sensational event in Hong Kong, and it was, finally, curtains down for the greatest Muaythai fighter in modern history.

His final career record, pursuant to a most thorough forensic computation by the author is : 116 fights, 87 win, 28 loss and 1 draw ( inclusive of 18 pro boxing bouts).

Trophy presented by author's (late) lady wife to Suda after the epic battle with Apidej.

His legend still rolls on when he became the staff coach in the fabulous Fairtex Gym of Mr. Philip Wong ( Banchong – author’s old schoolmate in La Salle College), the nation’s number one posh muaythai facility, noted for its elaborate marketing structure and luxury settings. He help trained many of the world’s big names in sports and entertainment. Worthy of special mention was one American Harvard student, Sam Sheridan (26), who, trained by Apidej, kayoed Japanese karate champion Jinoji (38) in the first round, Samrong Stadium, on 14 July, 2002. His story was covered in a National Geographic Magazine article, titled “A Fighting Chance”. The scholarly warrior has since written several books on the fighter’s mindset.

Sam Sheridan, American Harvard student who had trained under Apidej, 2002.

Apidej became the icon and permanent feature of the diamond-grade fight/health-sporting camp and that lasted until his death on 4 April, 2013, aged 72.