The Unforgiving Kicks - Over The Ages Part II

Divine Kicker  

Thab Jamgor, who was a mate of Yang, dominated through the Suan Kularb period, fought four times without a single defeat. He was initially matched with Saleb (Bangkok), whom he dismissed as being unqualified. Yang Vanthongchai (Dhonburi), renowned boxing master nicknamed “Hanuman” backed out after a match-up was made. Then, in his first bout, Lopburi’s Janda Petchrad was kicked to submission in one round. Next, Chinese Hu Heng Pong (Hainan) lost to a first round high kick that cut his eyebrow. In his fourth outing, as the main attraction on the stupendous royal boxing program, October, 1921, he fought Bangkok’s most respected multi-style pugilist, a physical education instructor proficient in western boxing, Jujitsu, and Siamese boxing (being originally from Sakorn Nakorn) – Prasidh Boonyarom. It was complete destruction after the brave Bangkok combatant was pulverized by Thab’s blinding kicks, climaxing in a wicked elbow in ambush. Hence, all contemporaries avoided him like a plague.  

The boxing authority then contemplated to match Thab against Indra Sakdet (Muay Chaiya), the undefeated champion of the South, but regional politics at the time precluded the clash. In the event, Indra “Green Beast” was not able to fight in the capital until three years later, when in an epic battle, he was humbled by Bangkok hero Suwan Nivasawat, the Herculean Fighter.  

Most celebrated footwork 1925-40  

In January, 1925, during the 7-day Cool-Season festival held at Old Suan Chao Chet, in a much-anticipated match, Plong Liangprasert (Uttaradit), flattened Bua Wat-Im (Korat) with a high kick in the fourth round, for a prize of 120 bahts. This was a classic win by the legendary kicker from Tha Sao district, Uttaradit.

 

The Golden Mount Festival 1928 in Bangkok, saw a Cambodian boxer killed upon being destroyed by Pae Liangprasert ( right in the fighters photo). Below is the news paper dated November 1928, carrying the headline on the adoption of gloves in Muaythai.

Plong was one of the five brothers from the fabulous Liangprasert boxing clan. He was a sensation in the Lakmuang stadium period, 1928-29. His younger, 132-pound brother, Pae Liangprasert, one of the five main contenders in the first ever National Heavyweight Boxing Champion of Siam, 1929-29, made headlines when Chea Kegkhmer, 35 year- old Cambodian, died upon being brutalized by his murderous kicks and punches. Pae did not win the title, but a huge public furor erupted relative to safety in boxing culminated in the adoption of gloves in the Tha Chang period.   Later, gloves became a permanent feature in all contests at Suan Sanuk (now Lumpini Park) in conformity with rules provided by the National Sporting Club (NSC). The best kickers of the time included “Axe Shin” Naeb Chomsrimek (Bangkok) , “Old Huang Zhong” Bua Wat-Im (Korat), and Sari Chaimongkol, the Spurner of Uttaradit.

   

The great veteran Bua Wat-Im, star at Suan Sanuk period, 1930 - a classic headhunter.

Naeb had put many of his rivals to sleep with his legs, and Bua, who would become one of the most prolific boxing teachers in history, was at his best in the year 1930, toppling several elites with precision head-kicks, until his ring attainments upset one famous fighter / guru, Bang Saleb (camp Sornkuay ), who challenged him to a formal duel. That was headline news in December, 1930. The feud was however resolved in time, with their differences resolved by the intervention of the most revered Kru Kimseng Taweesidh.  

Famous boxing master Saleb Sornkuay as he looked in 1931. Nicknamed Malay Warrior, he was so agonized by the ring successes of kicker Bua Wat-Im (Korat), that a hate-match nearly occurred.

Another celebrity of wizardry with foot-sabre was Sari Chaimongkol (Uttaradit) whose specialty in the spurning deportment was unequaled, hence his epithet “The Spurner” (Nak Teep). He was the champion of the North, whose two clashes with the great Phol Phrapradaeng (top featherweight 1934-35 ), have been rated as lasting ring dramas of that age.   One of the kicks that found their place in the annals of the 30’s was first, recorded during the battle between Samarn Dilokvilas and Somphong Vejasidh (part III), in Pattani’s annual big fair, 1936. The two had met twice in the native style before, with Samarn winning the first encounter, for an unprecedented 10- round showdown, in the highlight of the Constitutional Celebrations, 1933. A rematch, seven weeks later, on 1 February, 1934, at Suan Sanuk, ended in a draw.  

Fight of the year 1936, Samarn (left) in pre-fight photo with Somphong (right) before their pro-boxing showdown for the national welterweight championship of Siam, the 4th in their series.

The third clash, for defense of the Champion of Siam title, was a bitter affair that, having expired five full rounds, required an extra round (6th) to determine the winner. In the fierce exchanges that ensued, hard-hitter Somphong was dropped by a high kick, thus losing the match. Another kick that made a difference was when rising. roly-poly “Beer Barrel” Chaluay Naruepai, rocked tenacious half-Burmese Tawee Jaimeebun, with a head kick, during a high-profile match at the Thai army’s Suan Chao Chet Stadium, 1940. It was one resounding kick that was likely to level a wall, but the latter surprised all, by withstanding the trauma to last the distance. That kick, however, was forceful enough to sway the judges’ decision in favor of Chaluay.

 

Chubby Chaluay, 64 kg. all round boxer, whose head kick won him the match against the fearless Tawee Jaimeebun
1940.

 

Rare photo of the die-hard brawler, Tawee Jaimeebun.