The Unforgiving Kicks Part 27 - World at War 1990’s

From Spider Man to King of the Ring

The best of the kicker stories of the 1990’s were told by the feats of Changphuak (Super Elephant), Jomhod (King of the ring), Sakmongkol, the Jade-faced (Thai) Kicker, Pairoj Left Asura (Sai Ah-sun), and Woodchop Kicker Yoddecha…… Three of these have now become most celebrated trainers on the international circuit. Jomhod pioneered the Finland and Scandinavian MT market, Sakmongkol, taught for years in the United States before reverting back to Thailand working, and still competing, in combat Karate, in association with the fabulous (albeit somewhat unconventional) Sifu Robert MacKinnes, in his classy outfit based in Pattaya.

Jomhod Kiatadisak, born 3 July, 1970, was a native of Takuapa, Pang Nga Province, southern Thailand. Trained by a muslim teacher Bang Leb, he had fought extensively in the southern region before fighting in the capital.

In November, 1989, he was among the first Thai fighters to campaign in the United States (in the wake of the controversial performances of Prasert and Sakad). After his KO debut over Michael Uberg of Holland, he suffered a stunning TKO in 3, in Phoenix, Arizona, 26 May, 1990. The fight, televised in Thailand, shocked the fans. He was only 19 at the time.

Yet the robust 152-pounder’s warrior heart was unstoppable, coming back since to defeat Bayram Colak (Netherlands), Anthony Anderson (USA), Renaldo Morris (Netherlands), Gerald Zwaane  (Netherlands), Abdullah Berrando (France), Tim Izli (England), Kash Gill (England), IVan Hippolyte (Netherlands), Orlando Wiet (Netherlands), Andre Masseur (Netherlands), Robbi Nelson (Netherlands), Ramon Dekkers (Netherlands) and Djebli Mourad (France)... Very impressive indeed.

The kayo of American Taekwondo fighter Tony Anderson in Oklahoma, with one single high kick, was a signature act in outlook, but winning the decision in the encore with Hippolyte, 1 March, 1992, in Amsterdam, was sweet revenge. But the most resounding was the demolition of the highly-rated ‘Hurricane” Paul Briggs, in Brisbane, 16 March, 1994, with unrelenting leg kicking, that left the Australian paralyzed in the ring. Following the defeat, the latter became the student of Jomhod to train until he won the WKA world championship.

Jomhod’s style, initially, was workman-like aggression blasting his man with kicks, knees and punches, until the victim was softened up, for a high kick to register the finisher. But as he matured with age, he became a prolific showman and offered much better entertainment to the audience, but always humiliation to the victim.

He had won the LPN 140 pound and the RDN 147 titles at home, but his path to Yodmuaythai was blocked on losing to Charndej S. Pantalay. Maybe he was destined for greater heights away from home. Self-stylized Spider Man, the Southern killer-kicker hence found his fame in Finland.

Until year 2000, was the most widely-travelled Thai fighter ever, having fought in Malaysia, Finland, Holland, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, United States... And the Thai and world titles he had collected, on last count, was fifteen, inclusive of the RDN & LPN (4), IMF, WMTA, IKBF, WMC, WKA, WMTL, ISKA... which basically covered all the major world sanctioning bodies except K-1, and Glory. He was practically invincible outside Thailand from 1990 till 2006, when he met the red-hot Buakaw Por Pramuk in The Fight – WMC Explosion III.

Jomhod was then, known internationally, as King of the Ring, while Buakaw, the Black Prince of Muaythai, twice K-1 Max winner, nicknamed White Lotus.