More Muay Thai news from the land down under. It looks like it’s all but a done deal that Yodsaenklai Fairtex and John Wayne Parr will fight a third time. Yodsaenklai and John Wayne Parr faced off for the first time for the WBC Muay Thai world championship. The two would fight a second time as part of the finale for reality TV show Contender Asia. In both bouts Yodsaenklai defeated John Wayne Parr in progressively impressive fashion.
The third fight between the two should prove interesting as its at a slightly higher weight of 72.5 kg. Some speculation has been surrounding both competitors that they’ve lost a step: Yodsaenklai Fairtex for increasing weight gains and some laxness in his approach and John Wayne Parr for wear and tear from many fight and age. Both would then presumably have much to prove by a third meeting between the two. It will be incumbent upon John Wayne Parr a bit more to make the case for convincing win and a good performance.
Beyond this bout the rest of the card has yet to be announced. As details emerge about Payback Time 2 I will post updates.
In the meantime here is a snippet of their last match captured from fan footage.
More action from Channel 7. Kingstar Skindewgym (in red trunks) Vs. Superbang Or. Kwanmuang (in blue trunks) from the Sunday, March 8, 2009 fights from Channel 7 stadium.
Much speculation has been made about Nathan ‘Carnage’ Corbett joining the ranks of K-1. It had been reported than Corbett’s team had been in on again, off again negotiations with FEG to gain a spot on K-1’s roster. Corbett has spent some time in Japan in the past with the Shootboxing organization where he very decisively defeated Nilson Castro of Brazil by way of knockout. In the meantime Corbett has defeated some of the most recognized cruiser weight competition in international Muay Thai such as Kaoklai Kaenorssing, Clifton Brown, and Magomed Magomedov among others. Corbett was known for his punishing style with specific emphasis on the fight finishing elbow strikes that became a well known part of Corbett’s signature Muay Thai style. Corbett pretty clearly was the dominant force in the cruiser weight division of international Muay Thai though it must be noted the depth of competition among crusier weights in international Muay Thai could be best described as somewhat sparse. Whether or not Corbett still maintains interest in entering into K-1 is still not clear (according to Pure Adrenaline the talks have stopped for now). What is clear is Corbett is not done trying to make his mark.
Corbett is definitely on his way to making his presence known at heavy weight and it looks like he also may have more to prove in full rules Muay Thai. It was recently announced by Pure Adrenaline promotions that Corbett is scheduled to fight Ukrainian Pavel “Caiman” Zhuravlev. Zhuravlev defeated Gohkan Saki at the Soul 2009 K-1 event. Here is Zhuravlev’s statistical card from Pure Adrenaline’s site:
Pavel Zhuravlev
95 kg
1,87 m
27 years old
Team SAFARI . KHARKOV
Manager Alexander POPOV
Trainer Alexander VINNICHUK
Record : Finalist of BIGGERS BETTER 1
5 Time WMC and IFMA World champion Muay THAI
Champion of KING’S of THAILAND MUAY THAI CUP
European MUAY THAI Champion
6 Time MUAY THAI Ukrainian Champion
2010 Pavilion Nicosia heavyweight tournament runner up (boxing)
2009 W5 Grand Prix tournament champion
2009 WBKF European Heavyweight champion (-93 kg)
2008 WBKF World Super Heavyweight champion (+93 kg)
2008 WBKF European Super Heavyweight champion (+93 kg)
2007 WBKF European Heavyweight champion (-93 kg)
2006 SNG Thaiboxing Heavyweight (91 kg) title
2006 WBKF European Cruiserweight (86 kg) title
2005 SNG (WBKF) Kickboxing Heavyweight champion (-93 kg)
2004 King’s Cup participant, Bangkok, Thailand
This bout will be conducted under full rules Muay Thai for the WKN world heavy weight title. Specific date and times for the event are not cemented quite yet and the rest of the fight card is also unknown. But the event will be in September 2010 and occur under the bill of ‘Domination 5’ in Perth, Australia. Stay tuned for more details as I become aware of them.
This time some fight action from Channel 7 Stadium. In Red: Sakeddao Petpayatai – 130 Vs. in Blue: Chock Eminentair – 133 at Channel 7 stadium March 8, 2009.
Some details have emerged about the coming Thai Fight promotion organized for broadcast by Thailand for Thai TV channel 3. The following is from Phon Martee:
Schedule
August 29
Elimination from 16 to 8 fighters October 25
Elimination from 8 to 4 fighters December 6
Elimination from 4 to 2 fighters
& The Final.
The countries to be represented are Thailand, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, China, Brazil, the United States of America, Italy, Russia, France, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Iran, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The World 16 International Tournament “Thai Fight” Champion will recieve 2 Million Thai Baht, a one year modelling contract with a major sponsor of the event and starring role in a movie similar to Yamada that features Yodsaenklai, Buakaw and Anuwat.
Among the participants will be Kevin Ross from the United States. Kevin just completed a tough run at this year’s Toyota Cup 8-man tournament in which he fought reportedly very well making it into the semi-final. Since training at renown Muay Thai camp Sitsongpeenong Kevin has been very active fighting in Thailand and will be taking his fight to what promises to be an even bigger audience in Thai Fight.
Lumpinee Stadium brings another night of fights among the best. Yodsiam Meanburipolitechnic in blue vs Yodchingchai Sitikoon in red from Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday night, February 6, 2010.
The broadcast schedule for Enfusion was recently announced and the wait is not going to be long. Enfusion, the reality program features Thai Boxers training in Koh Samui in a tournament for $ 40,000. Thus far broadcasts will begin from September on RTL 7 in Europe with more broadcast venues expected to be announced. Enfusion will consist of thirteen episodes with a final held in Portugal.
The boxers spent two weeks at Muay Thai camp Superpro Samui home to four teams with Thai Boxers and coaches. The cast and competitors were revealed in an earlier post here. Some spoilers ahead as events have been held towards the final of Enfusion but it looks like it will be an altogether entertaining show with decent matchups.
The finalists are Pajonsuk, Drago, Barnhill and Petrosyan. The line up for July 9, 2010 final is as follows:
1) Titiana Van Polanen vs Valerio
2) Eva Berben vs Benise Alldis
3) Gago Drago vs Ric Barnhill
4) Armen Petrosyan vs Pajonsuk
5) Women final
6) Mens Final
Ticket information and any future broadcast venues can be found at the official Enfusion site. It looks like challenges are in this season though I kind of miss the old format of fights and training and nothing but that the It’s Showtime Reality had as its format.
More action from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Petsitong Sor. Sawanggym (in red trunks)Vs Thirapon Sor. Thirapon (in blue trunks) from Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday night, February 6, 2010. Ths fight was contested at 121 lbs.
WCK Muay Thai has just announced their coming card of August 28, 2010 and it looks pretty wild with the addition of super heavy weights. What is a super heavy weight in Muay Thai one may ask? In this scenario two competitors exceeding 250lbs. With this match the big man door has been thrown open wide.
WBC Muaythai United States Super Heavyweight Title 5rds.
Rick Cheek vs Stephen Banks. Cheek has been a participant in some K-1 events as well as international Muay Thai fights. Banks has had tutelage under former champion Maurice Travis for Muay Thai. Both Cheek and Banks have had developing MMA careers but will be meeting in Muay Thai rules for this bout. With a combined weight of over 500 lbs I just hope the ring can hold up to both men.
WBC Muaythai Female International Bantamweight Title 5rds.
Jeri Sitzes vs Lim Su Jeong (Korea). Lim has pretty much graced every random post when women’s Muay Thai is even mentioned. Guys like looking at her apparently.
Lim is best known for capturing gold for South Korea in the Asian Games in Tae Kwon Do. The first of which Lim won at the ripe old age of 16. And eventually won Olympic gold in 2008. Apparently in South Korea there isn’t quite the stigma of learning Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai at the same time as there is in the west. It’ll be interesting to see if her classical martial arts background translates into any tactical difference in the ring though Lim has been training Muay Thai for quite some time now.
The last memory I had of Jeri Sitzes was competing MMA for Strikeforce Challengers where she TKOed her opponent in a convincing fashion before the close of the third round in Oklahoma.
IKKC Muaythai International Light Heavyweight Title 5rds.
Shawn Yarborough (champion) vs Mawande Vapi (South Africa). Shawn has been steadily building up wins with an especially memorable victory (for me) in China at Wu Lin Feng. Mawande Vapi is a South African Champion. This one looks like this could be the most interesting match of the night due to a somewhat similar style of offense from both fighters.
WBC Muaythai Super Welterweight Title Elimination Bout 5rds.
Raul Rodriguez vs William Sriyapai. I am assuming here the winner gets a shot at Baxter Humby for his newly won Super Welterweight title. Both Raul and William have been mainstays of the USA Muay Thai scene for some time.
WBC Middleweight International Prestige Bout 5rds.
Chaz Mulkey vs Remy Bonnel. Chaz Mulkey has fought for the Heroes promotion against ex-K-1 competitor Marifio Canoletti and will be looking to make his mark against Bonnel. Remy Bonnel stacked up some wins in Shin Do Kumate held in Tampa. Remy is a very lanky middleweight with a big reach.
IKKC Muaythai United States Welterweight Title 5rds.
Scott Leffler (champion) vs Justin Greskiewicz. Scott Leffler will be making his first title defense since TKOing James Martinez in the 2nd round. Justin Greskiewicz is a USKBA titlist from the Pennsylvania.
IKKC Muaythai Super Middleweight Bout 4rds.
Jack Thames vs Mike Ryan. Jack Thames is coming off a close fight with WBC National Champion Craig Buchanan. Mike Ryan is known for his slick and elusive style.
IKKC Muaythai Super Welterweight Bout 4rds.
Shawn Yacoubian vs Joe Davidson. Shawn Yacoubian has a pretty slick style that is always fun to watch while Joe Davidson has been steadily building his record with a growing win ratio.
IKKC Muaythai Welterweight Bout 4rds.
Artem Sharoshkin vs Titus Holmes. This will be Artem Sharoshkin’s professional debut after an exciting bout with Ozzy Venegas.
And now the clip promoting the event.
I am going to do my best to be there and to give a first person account of this event. Should prove interesting since I think its literally been a decade since I’ve seen competitors as big as the super heavy weights on this card fighting live. But in any scenario I’ll do my best to see it and give my views on the latest WCK event.
WCK is usually pretty good about landing some promo codes for accommodations to give attending fans a break on price at the hotels. So I am keeping my eyes peeled for those too. For ticket information call 877-466-7962 or head over to the official WCK site.
More action from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. This time Malainguen Sit Or. Thor (Red Trunks) Vs. Pepsi Petsirigym (Blue Trunks) at 109lbs. This bout is from the fights from Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday night, January 23, 2010.
The Science of 8 Limbs 