Kongtoranee Payakaroon

Did You Know?

• Kongtoranee Payakaroon knocked down Khaosai Galaxy in the fifth round of their 1988 WBA title fight, but still lost by decision.
• He once served as Khaosai Galaxy's sparring partner before Galaxy's 1984 title fight against Eusebio Espinal.

Muay Thai career

Payakaroon started Muay Thai at age 11, training under Yodtong "Kru Tui" Senanan alongside his younger brother Samart. He first gained fame in Amphoe Bang Lamung, eastern Thailand. In 1977, at age 17, he moved to Bangkok to fight under promoter Songchai Rattanasuban, having already amassed about 100 fights. He faced notable opponents including Bangkhlanoi Sor.Thanikul, Samransak Muangsurin, Chamuakpetch Hapalang, Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai, and Petdam Lookborai. His highest purse was 120,000 baht for a fight against Samingnoom Sithiboonthum at Rajadamnern Stadium. He won five different Lumpinee Stadium weight championships between 1978 and 1984.

Professional boxing career

Payakaroon made his professional boxing debut on April 2, 1985. He scored a notable win over fellow Thai and former WBC Super Flyweight champion Payao Poontarat. After nine consecutive wins, he challenged WBC Super Flyweight champion Gilberto Román on December 19, 1986, at Indoor Stadium Huamark in a bout organized by Gen Sunthorn Kongsompong. Payakaroon lost by unanimous decision and suffered significant facial injuries.

He fought three more times and became the #1 contender in the WBA Junior Bantamweight rankings. On January 26, 1988, at Lumpinee Stadium, he faced WBA titleholder Khaosai Galaxy, whom he had previously served as a sparring partner. Galaxy had trained at Yodtong Senanan's gym in Nong Prue, Chonburi, before his 1984 title fight. Payakaroon wore blue trunks with gold stripes and golden boots, employed hit-and-run tactics, and knocked Galaxy down in the fifth round.

He expressed strong confidence in his victory, as did his fans and manager, but lost by official decision. His manager, Songchai Rattanasuban, reacted angrily, claiming the fight had been rigged. Later, Rattanasuban received an offer for Payakaroon to challenge IBF Junior Bantamweight champion Ellyas Pical in Indonesia, but Payakaroon declined, believing the pay would be unfairly low.

Retirement

After failing to win a world championship in two attempts, a friend who was a war correspondent invited Payakaroon to cover conflicts in France, Lebanon, and along the Thai border in what is now Sa Kaeo province. He declined due to a lack of skills and fluency in English. He returned to Muay Thai and continued fighting until his retirement in 1990. After retiring, he spent two years in Japan working as a Muay Thai trainer. Later, he served as an assistant trainer at Sityodtong Gym in Bangkok under Yodtong Senanan and also trained students in Baku, Azerbaijan. In 2007, he took over management of a Muay Thai gym from his brother Samart after Samart's divorce.

Muay Thai record

Payakaroon's recorded Muay Thai bouts include a win over Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang by decision on September 27, 1988, and a loss to Namphon Nongkee Pahuyuth by decision on August 5, 1988. He lost to Petchdam Lukborai by decision on December 2, 1988. In 1989, he lost to Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai by decision on January 31, won by KO (high kick) against Grandprixnoi Muangchaiyaphum on February 24, and lost by KO to Pon Narupai on March 28. In 1990, he defeated Ritthichai Lookchaomaesaitong by decision on March 19, lost to Kaonar Sor.Kettalingchan by decision on April 24, beat Samingnoi Kiatkamchai by decision on May 15, defeated Gilbert Ballantine by decision in Paris on May 27, lost to Samranthong Kiatbanchong by decision on June 23, beat John Fortes by TKO in the Netherlands, knocked out Sakmongkol Sithchuchok with a right hook on September 1, drew with Samransak Muangsurin on October 12, defeated Samransak Muangsurin by decision on November 1, and beat Dida Diafat by decision in Manchester, England on December 2, winning the Muay Thai World Light Welterweight (140 lbs) title. His final recorded bout was a KO (left hook) win over Hiroshi Oshiba in Tokyo, Japan on April 24, 1993.