The Unforgiving Kicks Part V

The Demon Conquers Gentleman Samarn

Fight of the Year 1948
Gentleman Samarn Dilokvilas (left), former grand champion, lost on points to Sukh Prasarthinpimai, Muay Korat

Returning to the earlier RDN years, the biggest showdown, often depicted as the clash of the era, was the victory of the “Fluorescent Demon” Sukh Prasarthinpimai, over “Gentleman” Samarn Dilokvilas, former grand champion and legend, in the fight of the year 1948. Sukh, the fearsome looking Yaksa (demon), an ex. murder convict already 38 years old, yet his unrelenting all-out attacking style had blasted all his opponents to defeat, with the only exception in veteran Prasert S.S., where a draw ended. Against Samarn, the great expectation of a bitter battle, arisen from the huge publicity, was dispelled by the aura of a one-party show by Sukh, but without his insignia ferocity.

Then we saw the defeat of Surachai, the fascinating southpaw kicker, by his friend Chuchai Phrakanchai (Angel of the Arena) in two thrilling contests. The fights, especially the second one on 25 January, 1948, was such a bloody affair that left the entire audience in awe. The warrior and sportsmanship exhibited on the occasion was beyond anyone’s thought, as the two fighters, both adored for their cool looks, were known to be close mates.  

Hero's Left Kick

Upset of the Year 1949
Virasak's left kick (right photo) tells the story.

Islamic idol Usmarn Sorndaeng, red-hot for his unstoppable string of kayo victories, was halted by Virasak Luksurin’s fierce left kick, to the side of body. The dramatic sequence was short, with “The Prince” charging at his foe from the first gong, and in no time unloaded his potent right punch for a quick kill. But, the Surin hero met him head on, with two hard lefts to the ribs, and when the rusher stopped at the deadly impact, Virasak flexed his left leg, turned it into a sharp knee that drove hard onto Usmarn’s chin. The sequence promptly produced the biggest upset of 1949, albeit that defeat was avenged in the year-end rematch.

That left kick was the best one dealt out in the career of the “Great Hero” Virasak, and is definitely one for the history books.

Popularity of Usmarn, the Prince of Arabia, continued on his path of stardom and controversy, until he met veteran Thongbai “Rubber Tree” in the fight of the decade 1950.  

Usmarn vs. Thongbai, 1950

The clash was seen as the ultimate test of the great brawler of unequalled strength, against the classic old-style muaythai maestro.

RDN Stadium was fully-packed on the day, 6 August, 1950 as fans in the entire nation awaited anxiously for the ultimate showdown…

In the event, Thongbai (30) at 129.8 pounds, despite being downed twice, from vicious punches in the first round, held his ground against the younger Usmarn (22) scaling at 134.6, using deftly executed low-cutting kicks to floor his man, and sharp elbow pokes which hit his eyebrow, instantly drawing blood.

By Thongbai’s all-round boxing, the rusher was hence successfully kept at a distance, and his haymakers were nullified. The veteran’s well-timed left kicks, connecting on the latter’s knee joint, arms, and neck, forced him on the defense. By the last round, it was all Thongbai’s fight, as his left kick gave a masterful play, to earn the judges decision in the end.

Thongbai picked up a handsome 20,500 baht, whilst Usmarn, 15,500 baht. The gross gate revenue came to a record 117, 725 baht.

The fight has been voted by experts as one of the best classics in modern muaythai history.