When you concentrate on the best Thai boxers of all, one identify is all the time on the checklist. Buakaw Banchamek.
- Title: Buakaw Banchamek
- Health club: Por. Pramuk Health club(1997-2012), Banchamek Health club(2012 to Current)
- Years Lively: 1997 to Current Day
- Championships: 20+ World Championships
That is the story of one of many greatest legends within the historical past of Muay Thai in Buakaw Banchamek. Detailing Buakaw’s legendary 35-year preventing profession and the way he stays among the many sport’s finest fighters.
Buakaw’s Entry Into Muay Thai
Buakaw Banchamek was born Sombat Banchamek. He grew up within the province of Surin, situated in northeastern Thailand.
On the age of eight, Sombat was uncovered to Muay Thai and started his coaching. His preventing profession would start quickly after Banchamek had began his coaching.
All through the following 7 years, he would struggle all through northeastern Thailand and the province of Surin. Gaining expertise in quite a few undocumented fights and getting cash for his household.
Early Muay Thai Profession
On the age of 15, Sombat moved to town of Chachoengsao in central Thailand. Becoming a member of the legendary Por. Pramuk Health club.
As part of an enormous health club with connections, Damtamin Kiat-anan, as he was initially referred to as, would get huge alternatives.
Starting the beginning of his professional profession preventing in Bangkok in Omnoi and Lumpinee Stadium. Accumulating quite a few belts and preventing within the nation’s greatest tournaments.
This included profitable the Toyota Marathon 140 lbs match in 2002. Buakaw’s spectacular performances started to earn him worldwide recognition.
Okay-1 Profession
After seven years of profitable quite a few belts in Bangkok, Buakaw would get his first huge worldwide alternative. He would earn a spot within the 2004 Okay-1 World Max Match.
His debut would achieve success as he beat three opponents in a single evening to win the title. This included beating John Wayne Parr and Takayuki Kohiruimaki within the finals.
Within the 2005 match, Banchameet would earn runner-up earlier than profitable once more in 2006. Establishing himself as some of the adorned champions within the sport.
He would have quite a few huge fights on the promotion for the following eight years. Together with taking part in each L-1 Max Match throughout that point.
Thai Struggle
In 2011, Buakaw signed an enormous contract to struggle for the struggle promotion Thai struggle. He would struggle 11 instances for the promotion over the following two years.
Buakaw’s first yr with Thai was profitable as he gained the promotion’s 70 kg match. This title win would comply with, with Banchamek defending his title in 2012. Going an ideal 11-0 in Thai Struggle.
Leaving Por. Pramut Health club
In 2012, information broke of friction between Buakaw and his longtime health club in Por. Pramut Health club. It was first obvious when Banchamek was absent from coaching for 2 months.
He apologized to the general public on a Thai discuss present and cited issues with Por Pramut Health club’s administration. Claiming that issues with administration had been ongoing since 2009, together with abuse and unprofessional conduct.
This might lead the Thai boxing champion to open his personal health club in 2012 referred to as Banchamek Health club. A world-class facility the place Buakaw has made his residence base for the final eleven years.
Buakaw’s Profession Throughout The 2010s & Retirement
After organising in his residence health club, Buakaw would enterprise out on his personal. Preventing in varied promotions around the globe from 2012 to 2019.
In all places from returning for his final run in Okay-1, preventing in Thailand once more, and likewise bouts in China. At his final Okay-1 look, Banchameet would earn his second runner-up award within the Max match.
Then from 2017 to 2019, Buakaw would struggle in Kunlan and varied supershows round Thailand. After this run, he would go on a three-year hiatus from competing, the place many thought the legend was retired.
Buakaw’s Comeback
Buakaw would finish his three-year hiatus in 2022 by making his return at World Struggle Match in Cambodia. Defeating Dmitry Varats by unanimous choice.
He would additionally take part in varied exhibition matches that have been held at Rajadamnern Stadium. His actual match could be towards Japanese kickboxing veteran Yoshiro Sato.
A match that was scheduled to occur in 2008 within the Okay-1 match however by no means occurred. After they lastly met, Buakaw would win with a first-round KO.
His final kickboxing match happened on Could 6, 2023 on the Rizin 42 card in Tokyo, Japan. Preventing to a draw towards Japanese fighter Rukiya Anpo.
Placing his present document at 240 wins/24 losses/14 attracts.
Buakaw Enters Naked Knuckle Boxing
If making a comeback into Muay Thai and kickboxing wasn’t sufficient, he would additionally transition to a different sport. Signing a contract to struggle with the Naked Knuckle Preventing Championship.
At 40 years outdated, Banchamek would make his BKFC debut on the BKFC: Thailand 3 occasion because the headliner. Defeating Erkan Varol by first-round knockout.
In 2023, it was announced that Buakaw would face Muay Thai legend Saenchai in a bare-knuckle Muay Thai match. Nevertheless it was postponed on account of authorized points over using the phrase Muay Thai within the occasion identify.
Buakaw’s Titles Received
In a profession that spans over 30 years, Buakaw has gained quite a few titles in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Right here’s a present depend of the world titles that Banchameet has gained.
Okay-1 Kickboxing
- 2004 Okay-1 Max World Champion
- 2006 Okay-1 Max World Champion
Omnoi Stadium
- 2001 Omnoi Stadium Featherweight Champion
- 2002 Omnoi Stadium Light-weight Champion
Skilled Boxing Affiliation of Thailand
- 2001 Thailand (PAT) Featherweight Champion
Toyota Cup
- 2002 Toyota Cup Marathon 140 lb Champion
World Muay Thai Council
- 2006-2007 WMC Muay Thai Tremendous Welterweight World Champion
- 2009 WMC/MAD Muay Thai Tremendous Welterweight World Champion
- 2011 WMC Muaythai Junior Middleweight World Champion
- 2014-2015 WMC Muay Thai Junior Middleweight World Champion
WBC Muay Thai
- 2014 WBC Muay Thai Diamond World Champion
Thai Struggle
- 2011 70 kg Match Champion
- 2012 70 kg Match Champion
S-1 Muay Thai
- 2005 S-1 Tremendous Welterweight World Champion
Muay Thai Affiliation
Kunlun Struggle
- 2016 Kunlun Struggle Muay Thai Middleweight World Champion
Phoenix Preventing Championship
- 2016 PFC Junior Middleweight Champion
King of Martial Arts
- 2003 KOMA GP Light-weight Champion
Shoot Boxing
- 2010 Shoot Boxing S-Cup World Champion
Buakaw’s Type of Muay Thai
When you have been to assemble the proto-typical Muay Thai fighter, that may be Buakaw. Banchamet is the residing embodiment of Muay Thai.
He’s a well-rounded fighter that’s an skilled in each side of the game—possessing KO energy in each his palms and toes and sharp protection.
Being sharp in each facet of the game made Buakaw one of many hardest within the sport to face. In almost 280 fights, Banchameet has solely been defeated 24 instances.
Buakaw’s Legendary Coaching Routines
Buakaw is among the most prolific fighters within the historical past of Muay Thai. After 30+ years within the sport, he continues to remain among the finest Thai boxers on the planet.
The key to Buakaw’s longevity is his legendary coaching routines. Banchameet’s self-discipline in his coaching is the key to his potential to proceed preventing into his 40s.
He is among the most conditioned fighters on the planet. Placing himself by means of grueling exercises actually every single day. Spending hours doing bag work, pad work, and particularly energy and conditioning.
Buakaw’s self-discipline to maintain coaching and studying is the important thing to his success and longevity. This dedication is why many overview him as a legend within the sport.
The Legacy of Buakaw
Buakaw Banchameet is among the best fighters in Muay Thai history and a legend of the game. For over thirty years and into his forties, Banchameet continues to beat the world’s finest and reveals no signal of stopping.
He’s already a legend and is remarkably nonetheless including to his impeccable preventing profession.
