Boonlai Sor.Thanikul

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Boonlai Sor.Thanikul
BornChaichan Ramoon
(1970-11-16) November 16, 1970 (age 53)
Chachoengsao Province, Thailand
Other namesWangyu Sor.Ploenchit (1984-1986)
NicknameThe Iron Twin (Faet Lek)
NationalityThai
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Division115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st)
122 lb (55 kg; 8.7 st)
126 lb (57 kg; 9.0 st)
StyleMuay Thai
Muay Femur
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofBangkok, Thailand
TeamSitmabon (until 1984)
Sor.Ploenchit (1984-1986)
Sor.Thanikul (1986-1994)
Sor.Korpilap (founded 2010)
11th Infantry Military Base
TrainerPhairaj Lawiraj (Pueng Sor.Thanikul)
OccupationMuay Thai trainer
Notable relativesBoonlong Sor.Thanikul (twin brother)

Boonlai Sor.Thanikul (

Chachoengsao Province, Thailand), also anglicized as Boonlay Sor.Thanikun, is a former Thai Muay Thai
fighter. He is respected as one of the most skilled fighters of the Muay Thai golden era who fought a wide variety of opponents.

He won 2 Lumpinee Stadium titles against "The Wonder Boy" Karuhat Sor.Supawan and "Mr. Merciless Knee" Langsuan Panyuthaphum and defended them both against Oley Kiatoneway.[1]

Biography and career

Early life

Ramoon and his twin brother were born into a poor family living in

Sor.Ploenchit gym at 13-years-old. Ramoon then used the ring name of Wangyu Sor.Ploenchit. After 2 years of fighting out of the millionaire-owned elite gym, the twins were given to the mafia-owned Sor.Thanikul gym in 1986 as a way for their boss to clear a gambling debt. The twins would adopt the ring names Boonlai and Boonlong Sor.Thanikul and made the rest of their careers fighting out of their new gym.[1][2]

Despite the fact that the Sor.Thanikul gym was owned by notorious mafia godfather Klaew Thanikul, who was responsible for murder, drug trade, human trafficking, et cetera, Thanikul treated his gym's fighters well and gave them large sums of money.[3][4] The Sor.Thanikul gym was unusually large and had higher quality training equipment compared to most Thai gyms of the time. Like the other fighters in the gym, the twins trained everyday under headman Pueng Sor.Thanikul[5] in what was considered one of the best Muay Thai gyms in Thailand which produced a total of around 20 champions in the Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums.[6]

Elite career

Boonlai and Boonlong would go on to be the most famous fighters in the Sor.Thanikul gym's history. They would fight under the Onesongchai promotion. In 1989, Boonlai would defeat an elite fighter who the Thai audiences considered a superstar at the time, Karuhat Sor.Supawan. On the same card, Boonlong defeated the renowned pressure fighter Pongsiri "Rambo" Sor. Ruamrudee. Boonlai would face "The Top Master" Karuhat a total of 4 times with Boonlai defeating him in 3 bouts.[1] Karuhat would later cite Boonlai as his most difficult opponent, admitting Boonlai's technicality and height as the reasons why.[7] Oley Kiatoneway cited his first bout against Boonlai as his most painful fight, as Oley was winning on points until Boonlai darted forward with a right cross and knocked down Oley with a series of punches.[8] Oley suffered from a headache after the knockdown and had to be hospitalized.[9] Boonlai won the fight to successfully defend his 115 lbs Lumpinee title that he won for defeating "The Heartless Knee Striker" Langsuan Panyuthaphum.

As one of the most skilled rope-a-dope Muay Femur of the golden era, Boonlai excelled in all attacks, particularly in counter-striking, as can be seen in his fights. At the peak of his career Boonlai received purses as high as ฿200,000 (equivalent to ฿396,935 in 2020). Boonlai beat an unusually wide variety fighters of his era such as Langsuan Panyuthaphum, Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth, Jongsanan Fairtex, Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai, Jaroensap Kiatbanchong, and Somrak Khamsing.[10] Boonlai stated that his victory against "The Ring Genius" Namkabuan was his favorite memory in his fighting career as he was the most significant fighter of Boonlai's weight class at the time. Boonlai recalls both Somrak and Namkabuan as the most difficult opponents he has ever faced.[2][11]

Boonlai's final matchup was against Silapathai Jockygym. After it was observed that Boonlai was not performing to the best of his ability, Silapathai threw a question mark kick at his head followed it with a series of punches, knocking Boonlai out. Suspicion grew as Boonlai fell after receiving weak punches, and an investigation concluded that Boonlai faked the KO to intentionally lose the fight. Boonlai was supposedly banned from competition afterward.[12] Despite this, Boonlai is remembered as one of the most talented fighters of the 1990s.[11]

In Thailand, Boonlai is one of the few Muay Thai fighters who is said to have "fought everyone" as in he was matched up against an unusually wide array of elite fighters during his prime.[11]

Later years

After his Muay Thai career, Boonlai became a trainer in various camps in Bangkok as well as opening his own gym called Sor.Korpilap in 2010. His twin brother Boonlong passed away from a car accident.[2] Boonlai was also a Muay Thai coach for the 11th Infantry Military Base in Chachoengsao province.[11]

Titles and honours

  • Lumpinee Stadium
    • 1990 Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs Champion (defended once)
    • 1992 Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs Champion (defended once)

Fight record

Muay Thai Record
300 Wins, 95 Losses, 5 Draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
1994-09-28 Loss Thailand Silapathai Jockygym Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand KO (High kick + punches) 2
1994-08-08 Win Thailand Lamnamoon Sor.Sumalee Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand KO (Punches) 3
1994 Win Thailand Oley Kiatoneway Decision 5 3:00
1994-05-27 Loss Thailand Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1994-04-29 Win Thailand Chatchai Paiseetong
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1994-03-25 Win Thailand Lamnamoon Sor.Sumalee
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand KO (Uppercut + left hook) 2
1994-02-13 Loss Thailand Karuhat Sor.Supawan Chachoengsao, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
For the Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title.
1994-01-07 Win Thailand Pompetch Naratreekul
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1993-10-22 Loss
Rittichai Lookchaomaesaithong
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
KO (Right high kick) 2
1993-08-31 Loss Thailand Chatchai Paiseetong
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
Loses Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title.
1993-08-06 Loss Thailand Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1993-07-11 Loss Thailand Oley Kiatoneway OneSongchai
Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1993-05-07 Win Thailand Karuhat Sor.Supawan
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1993-04-06 Win Thailand Jaroensap Kiatbanchong
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1993-02-15 Draw Thailand Superlek Sorn E-Sarn Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1992-12-30 Win Thailand Chamuekpet Hapalang Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1992-11-20 Loss Thailand Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1992-10-13 Win Thailand Oley Kiatoneway OneSongchai,
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
Defends Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title.[13]
1992-09-11 Loss Thailand Nuathoranee Thongracha
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1992-07-21 Win Thailand Nungubon Sitlerchai
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1992-06-30 Win Thailand Oley Kiatoneway
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1992-05-29 Win Thailand Jongsanan Fairtex
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1992-04-24 Loss
Nuathroanee Thongracha
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1992-03-10 Win Thailand Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1992-01-31 Win Thailand Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
Wins Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title.
1991-12-27 Win Thailand Superlek Sorn E-Sarn
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-11-26 Win Thailand Tanooin Chor Chuchat
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-10-25 Loss Thailand Cherry Sor Wanich
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-09-24 Win Thailand Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-09-03 Draw Thailand Jongsanan Fairtex
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-07-30 Loss Thailand Jirasak Keatsamanwit
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-06-28 Win Thailand Samranthong Kiatbanchong
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-06-11 Loss Thailand Pimaranlek Sitaran
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-05-17 Draw Thailand Pimaranlek Sitaran
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-04-07 Win Thailand Wanghin Por Chaiwat Central Boxing Stadium
Samut Songkhram, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1991-03-22 Win Thailand Samranthong Kiatbanchong
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1991-01-20 Loss Thailand Panomrung Sit Sor Wor Por Pantip Plaza Boxing Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1990-12-26 Win Thailand Grandprixnoi Muangchaiyaphum
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1990-11-27 Win Thailand Karuhat Sor.Supawan
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1990-10-26 Loss Thailand Pimaranlek Sitaran
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1990-09-19 Win Thailand Boonam Chor Waikul Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1990-08-07 Win Thailand Pimaranlek Sitaran
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1990-06-08 Loss Thailand Oley Kiatoneway
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
Loses Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title.
1990-05-15 Loss Thailand Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1990-04-24 Win Thailand Oley Kiatoneway OneSongchai,
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
Defends Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title.[14]
1990-03-02 Loss Thailand Kangwannoi Or Seebualoi
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1990-02-06 Win Thailand Kangwannoi Or Seebualoi
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1990-01-19 Win Thailand Langsuan Panyuthaphum
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
Wins Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title.
1989-12-08 Draw Thailand Grandprixnnoi Muangchaiyapoom
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1989-11-07 Win Thailand Noppadet Sor Rewadee
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1989-10-20 Win Thailand Panphet Muangsurin Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1989-08-28 Win Thailand Karuhat Sor.Supawan
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1989-07-25 Win Thailand Seesot Sahakanohsot
Lumpinee Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand
Decision 5 3:00
1988- Win Thailand Daoden Sor.Sukkasem Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References

  1. ^ a b c Trefeu, Serge (2020-11-16). "BOONLAY SOR THANIKUL (Career 1980-1990)". SIAM FIGHT MAG. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  2. ^ a b c Trefeu, Serge (2015-05-10). "BOONLAY SOR THANIKUL". SIAM FIGHT MAG. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  3. ^ Yindeeman's Talk | EP.18 Part 1 l เบื้องหลังที่ไม่มีใครรู้ของ 'แคล้ว ธนิกุล' (ENG CC) (in Thai), January 14, 2022, retrieved 2023-12-18
  4. ^ Reynolds, Alexander (2017-04-22). "The Rise and Fall of Klaew Thanikul: The Mafia Godfather of Muay Thai". Vice. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  5. ^ "ค่าย ส. ธนิกุล" [Sor.Thanikul Gym], Yod Muay Ek (in Thai), retrieved 2023-12-18
  6. ^ Trefeu, Serge (2014-09-22). "SOR THANIKUL GYM". SIAM FIGHT MAG. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  7. ^ Trefeu, Serge (2014-02-08). "KARUHAT SOR SUPAWAN". SIAM FIGHT MAG. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  8. ^ "บุญหลาย ส.ธนิกุล VS โอเล่ห์ เกียรติวันเวย์" [Boonlai Sor.Thanikul vs Oley Kiatoneway], ศึกยอดมวยไทย ศึกวันทรงชัย [The Best of Onesongchai Promotion] (in Thai), vol. 21, retrieved 2023-12-18
  9. ^ เรื่องเล่าจากยอดมวยไทยในอดีต "โอเล่ห์ เกียรติวันเวย์" กับปัจจุบันหน้าที่ในค่าย "พรัญชัย" (in Thai), Muaysod.com, August 10, 2023, retrieved 2023-12-18
  10. ^ "The fights of Anthology of Golde Era Muay Tai Chapter I". siamfightmag.com.
  11. ^ a b c d von Duuglas-Ittu, Sylvie (March 4, 2019). "#57 Boonlai Sor. Thanikul - Kicking Excellence (66 min)". Patreon.
  12. ^ "Silapathai Jockygym vs Boonlai Sor Thanikul", Yod Muay Ek (in Thai), Channel 7 (Thailand), 1994, retrieved 2023-12-18
  13. ^ "บุญหลาย ส.ธนิกุล ชนะคะแนน โอเล่ห์ เกียรติวันเวย์ 13 ต.ค. 2535". facebook.com.
  14. ^ "บุญหลาย ส.ธนิกุล อัดแข้งขวาเนื้อๆเข้าลำตัว โอเล่ห์ เกียรติวันเวย์ ครบห้ายกบุญหลายชนะคะแนนขาดลอย นแชมป์รุ่นจูเนียร์แบนตั้มเวทลุมพินีไว้ได้/ศึกวันทรงชัยอังคารที่24เม.ย.2533". facebook.com.