Can You Fight At 52?
(In this Photo: BGL6- White Gloves)
According to New Zealand pro fighter Andrew Peck, you can. The 52 year old was first introduced to Fairtex in 2005. His friend brought him to the gym and he fell in love.
“I’ve learned a lot,” he said. “You learn something different from each trainer.”
Peck spent his fight camp in Pattaya. Then in early November, he went to his home country. He fought for the New Zealand Heavyweight K1 Championship and he won.
“I’m the first person in New Zealand to win a professional title over 50 years old,” Peck said.
Fresh off a win in Auckland his next stop is Japan. He’s fighting again. He’s built momentum and he’s taking advantage of it.
A Thai And A Farang
(In this Photo: Fairtex Muay Thai Shorts)
Thailand’s fruits are many. There is pineapple, rambutan, durian, mangosteen, and guava or farang.
Farang is also the word for foreigner in Thailand, specifically white foreigners. Guava is named farang because it was introduced by traders from Portugal. Also, its fleshy inside is white like the skin of a Caucasian foreigner.
After training Ferrari, from the south of Thailand, bites into some farang. The post training treat is part of the daily diet for the athletes. Mr. Wong makes sure the boxers have balanced meals.
Former Enemies And Now Friends
(In this Photo: Fairtex HW2- Yellow)
Jihin was rising in the ranks. She beat Itsuki Hirata by a split decision. Then she took on Stamp Fairtex in 2022.
The Muay Thai fighter turned MMA athlete, landed a massive elbow on Radzuan. The Malaysian boxer fell to the ground. The two scrambled.
In the end, the judges gave it to Stamp by unanimous decision. Time passed. Radzuan fought and lost.
She made the move to Fairtex. Her life is in Thailand now. So are her friends, like Stamp. The two are regular training partners. They wrestle together, spar, and laugh.
This is the sport. A game where you can go from enemies to friends.
How Do You Know Who Is Fighting
Fairtex’s fight team is over 40 athletes deep. There are 30 trainers. And there are walk in students.
So how does Mr. Wong and the team keep track of who is fighting when, where, and at what weight?
Simple, a whiteboard. The board is made up of fighters’ names, who they are fighting, where, the date, and the weight.
Ferrari’s are categorized according to purse size. The athletes at the top left are the ones with the biggest fights. They are the most high profile and make the most money.
Inevitably they are also under the most scrutiny from Mr. Wong on their training. Their workouts are given priority.
Then the list goes down. It’s easy to see the hierarchy. There is ONE Championship, then ONE Lumpinee, LWC Super Champ, Fairtex Fight, and then other promotions.
Head trainer Champ makes sure the board is updated. That way the fighters know. That way the trainers know.
But how does Mr. Wong know?
Well he keeps a list right next to his desk at all times.
On The Orange Stuff
Drinking is important. Thailand’s temperature is three degrees. It is hot, hotter, and really hot.
So athletes of all levels sweat. Water comes out of the skin fast and furious.
“I drink Royal D,” Douglas Malagon said. The 34 year old is a professional Muay Thai fighter. He keeps his body in great shape. “It’s only 5 baht and really good.”
The electrolyte is available at 7-11 and other small stores. You rip open the package and dump it into your water. It helps with hydration.
Because when you’re training this hard you need to be on the orange stuff.
Otopp Thoughts
(In this Photo: Fairtex HW2- Olive Green)
Otopp Or Kwanmuang is a new face at Fairtex. The 18 year old is not new to fighting though.
He’s been in the ring since at least 11 years old.
“I’ve known Kongklai since then,” Otopp said. Otopp and Kongklai Anny Muay Thai were stablemates at Sor Sommai gym and at Keatkhamtorn. Both facilities are in Bangkok.
Otopp moved with Kongklai from Keatkhamtorn to Sor Sommai. Then they came to Fairtex.
“Mr. Sor Sommai suggested I come here after Kongklai came,” Otopp said.
Sor Sommai gym is located in the Bangkapi area of Bangkok. It is a traffic ridden area. The residents are mainly Muslim and there isn’t much public transportation like the MRT or sky train there. But Sor Sommai gym is legendary. Owned by Mr. Sorsommai, the gym produced high level fighters like Seksan Or Kwanmuang. They also promote Palungmai fights at
Rajadamnern.
For Otopp moving to Pattaya was a big change. It’s not the city life.
“Running by the beach is nice,” Otopp said. Every morning the fighters run from Fairtex down by the Gulf of Thailand.
“The training is good,” Otopp said. “I’m learning how to make my body better and stronger.”
Strength is important for the young fighter. He’s fighting on Fairtex Fight in a few weeks. This is a chance to rebuild himself. He fought on ONE Lumpinee and lost three times in a row. All three losses were by KO.
But Fairtex is a new gym in a new town and it’s a new opportunity for Otopp. We’ll see what he thinks about the future.
How Will Yodnamchai Win
The small fighter is on a roll. He’s on a six fight win streak at ONE Lumpinee. He’s knocked out 3 opponents.
And he’s slated for the main event again.
But that doesn’t mean he’s going in overly confident or without a game plan. He’s going straight for the punches.
“His opponent punches wider,” Kru Mike said. “So we are working on straight punches.”
That is intelligent tactics.
“I think he will win,” Kru Mike continued. “He’s smarter.”
While small in size he’s used his large brain to win time and time again.
We can’t wait to see what is next for the little star from Fairtex.
Author: Matt Lucas
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