Saenchai

Suphachai "Saenchai" Saepong (born July 30, 1980), formerly known as '''Saenchai Sor.

Kingstar''' (แสนชัย ส.คิงสตาร์), is a Thai kickboxer of Khon Isan descent.

Saenchai won the Lumpinee Stadium title, which is widely considered the most prestigious title in Muay Thai, in four different weight divisions, while mostly fighting larger opponents.

He is considered by many to be the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighter, and is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time.

In 1997 at age 16 Saenchai won the title of Lumpinee stadium championship at super flyweight.

When he was 18, he won the title of Lumpinee stadium championship at bantamweight.

In 2002, Saenchai turned to boxing.

He debuted as "Suphachai Saenpong" at featherweight.

Saenchai would often give up weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand, and from 2003 to 2014 only lost two times in Thailand when the weights were equal, with all other losses happening when he was forced to have a weight disadvantage to make the fights more equal.

He fought against Rud 4K Kevkatchewon from Philippines to challenge for the vacant interim title of PABA on November 27, 2003, and he won the title by unanimous decision.

In January 2004, he retained his PABA title against Rud.

In 2004, he decided to go back to Muay Thai again.

Saenchai visited Japan twice to fight and Khamsing agreed at those times, but Khamsing disagreed the third time.

Although Khamsing tried to stop Saenchai from going to Japan, he went there with some Muay Thai fighters from another gym.

Because of this incident, Khamsing broke off relations with Saenchai, and Saenchai moved to Kingstar gym.

At this time, Khamsing received 300,000 Baht from Kingstar gym as a transfer fee.

On July 3, 2006, Saenchai fought against Sang-Soo Lim from Korea in Japan.

Saenchai was going to fight against Shinya Ishige but he was replaced two weeks earlier as he had been injured during training.

Lim was 21 cm taller and 10 kg heavier than Saenchai but Saenchai knocked out Lim in 2R with a right hook.

On July 3, 2009, Saenchai fought against two Muay Thai fighters in the single bout at Lumpinee stadium.

During 1 to 3 round, he fought against Petchboonchu FA Group.

Petchboonchu tried to attack aggressively at 1R, but Saenchai carried throughout his stamina-saving style and broke Petchboonchu's balance several times.

During 4 to 5 round, Saenchai fought against Sagetdao Petpayathai.

Saenchai controlled his critical distance with front-kicks and middle-kicks and he threw telling blows more than Sakeddaow did.

The referee announced Saenchai's victory with unanimous decision after 5R.

Since 2010 he has fought 88 times in 15 countries and is perhaps the most active international fighter.

He is known for his excellent head movement, defensive footwork, unconventional kicks, and jumping attacks.

His speed, athleticism, and the large variety in his unorthodox arsenal made him an exceptionally difficult opponent to prepare for.

Incorporating Muay Boran style kicks and manoeuvres, he is known as a showman.

On March 14, 2010, Saenchai fought against Tetsuya Yamato from Japan to challenge the vacant world lightweight title sanctioned by Muay Thai Association of America (MTAA) in Los Angeles.

He retired from serious competition in Thailand in 2014 and now solely competes in showcase fights around the world against foreign, usually bigger opponents.

Upon retiring from competition on the Thai circuit he was still able to make 130 pounds, with his final fight being forced to make 129 pounds.

Since 2014, Saenchai has frequently competed at the Thai Fight promotion, a Thailand-based promotion.

He has often been the headliner at more recent Thai Fight events and has won five King's Cup titles with the promotion at 67 kg and 70 kg. He holds the promotion's records for most titles with 5 and all-time wins with 52.

Saenchai started learning Muay Thai when he was 8 years old.

He decided to start learning Muay Thai in Jocky gym when his friend's elder brother received a prize after a bout.

He debuted after training for only a week, and he won his first bout by decision receiving 30 Baht (≒$1).

He started fighting in Bangkok when he was 14 years old, then transferred to Kamsing gym owned by Somluck Kamsing.

Kamsing paid 300,000 Baht as a transfer fee.

This is the reason Saenchai's ring name was Saenchai Sor.Khamsing (แสนชัย ส.​คำ​สิงห์).