Thachtana Luangphon (25-0-1, 15 KOs), also referred to as Chainoi “The Rockman” Worawut, is about to face Australia’s Sam Goodman in an elimination bout on July tenth, 2024, in New South Wales throughout a card promoted by No Restrict Boxing.
The winner will earn a shot at The Ring’s No. 2 pound-for-pound entrant Naoya “The Monster” Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs).
This will probably be Worawut’s first time combating exterior of his native Thailand. As for Goodman, all his fights as a professional have taken place in Australia, presenting a formidable problem for “The Rockman.”
Worawut, whose knockout energy earned him his nickname, posted a screenshot in early Could hinting on the combat with Goodman. Initially, this appeared unlikely as Goodman was anticipated to problem “The Monster” Inoue later within the yr. A subsequent press launch from Worawut’s promoter, Mr. Surachart Pisitwuttian of Nokornloung Promotions, clarified that no official contact had been made.
Surprisingly, quick ahead practically two months, the Sam Goodman combat was confirmed, and “The Rockman” is gearing up for the largest combat of his profession.
Upon receiving permission from Workforce Worawut, I made the two-and-a-half-hour journey from Bangkok to Sara Buri, a central province in Thailand the place the crew is predicated. The health club, nestled within the quiet district of Phra Phutthabat, buzzed with the presence of Worawut’s fan membership, who got here to assist him.
As I waited for the crew, I met my outdated good friend, tremendous featherweight Wanchana Meenayothin (22-2-1, 12 KOs), a half-Thai, half-German boxer introduced in as a sparring accomplice. I used to be in luck as I arrived on an surprising sparring day. I requested Meenayothin how coaching was going, and he stated that “coaching goes nicely. This space is nice for focus. There’s not a lot to do right here; it’s in nature, however I choose coaching right here than in Bangkok. We normally spar on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, however Sia Hui is coming right this moment to see how Chainoi is wanting. We are going to do the final sparring of the camp right this moment.”
When “The Rockman” arrived, his reserved manner contrasted with the nice and cozy reception from his fan membership, who eagerly took images and listened to a heartfelt speech from their president. This close-knit assist community surrounds Worawut as he prepares for his upcoming showdown with Goodman, able to make his mark on the worldwide stage.
As Surachart Pisitwuttian, often known as “Sia Hui,” entered the calm and nonetheless boxing health club, the ambiance shifted to considered one of respect and seriousness. The boxers, who had simply arrived, ready diligently for his or her gruelling sparring classes, conscious of the promoter’s eager eye. With a legacy stretching again to 1994, Sia Hui has been instrumental in shaping boxing in Thailand, fostering abilities like Veeraphol Sahaprom (66-4-2, 46 KOs), Sirimongkhon Iamthuam (98-5, 62 KOs), and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (56-1-1, 46 KOs). His presence instructions consideration, a reminder of the champions he has cultivated, and the health club vibrates with a renewed sense of goal and self-discipline. Mr. Pisitwuttian has been the promoter of former champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, rated at No. 9 by The Ring at 115-pounds, who made his mark within the boxing world together with his upset wins over Roman Gonzalez (51-4, 41 KOs).
After wrapping his arms, head coach Supap Boonrawd commanded his cost, Worawut, to begin loosening up. Worawut has made adjustments to his coaching camp, enlisting Supap, who formed and skilled former WBC minimumweight champion Wanheng Meenayothin (53-3, 19 KOs) all through his profession. The skilled coach is well-versed in working with world champions. Following a couple of minutes of leaping rope, the sparring session started. On the schedule right this moment have been 10 rounds with sparring companions Wanchana Meenayothin and former world title challenger Nawaphon Kaikanha (60-4-1, 50 KOs). Kaikanha, who had fought in Australia in opposition to Jason Maloney (27-3, 19 KOs), at all times brings the stress. Final yr, he was on the cusp of successful the WBC bantam eliminator in opposition to Filipino Vincent Astrolabio (19-4, 14 KOs) however misplaced by stoppage within the eleventh spherical.
Telephones have been put away, and I requested Mr. Pisitwuttian if I might take images. He sternly instructed me it was okay, simply no movies. Within the sparring session, Kaikanha’s relentless stress and mixture punching have been evident. Every spherical, the boxers alternated, conserving Worawut contemporary with a brand new accomplice each three minutes. Twenty-five-year-old Meenayothin, with a powerful file, carried out nicely. Worawut demonstrated nice footwork and selective photographs, showing prepared for his upcoming challenges. Some rounds noticed him sparring for six minutes straight, with no break, within the humid and sizzling health club, including a muggy feeling to the extraordinary setting. As punches have been traded, coach Supap instructed his cost to remain centered.
Chainoi Worawut (proper) spars in opposition to Wanchana Meenayothin (left) – Photograph by Wasim Mather
Despite the fact that Chainoi is a stress fighter, it’s wonderful to see his footwork and middle-distance management behind a pointy left jab. This was the final sparring session of the camp, however as a substitute of stopping, they proceeded to eight rounds of intense pad work. Every part Worawut did was with depth and ferocity, displaying his focus and starvation, punching with all his effort as loud thudding noises echoed with every punch touchdown on the pads. The Padman stored the session intense, making certain Worawut paid his dues.
I requested Meenayothin if this was the standard manner Worawut skilled. He merely responded, “It’s at all times like this; he provides it 150% at each session.” Worawut, 28, was a profitable Muay Thai fighter with a file of 250 fights earlier than his skilled debut in 2018. Hailing from a household of fighters, his father, Chartchainoi Chaorai-oi, was a well-known Muay Thai fighter from the golden period, identified for his harmful proper hook as a southpaw. Meenayothin added, “It’s type of attention-grabbing. Chainoi is an orthodox and is understood for his left hook, and his dad is a southpaw identified for his proper hook.”
Worawut began his profession with knockouts so brutal you could possibly make a spotlight reel out of them, with unanimous choice wins over former world champions Suriyan Satorn (61-14-1, 41 KO) and Panya Uthok(58-16, 39 KO). Curiously, it looks as if the 27-year-old has misplaced his knockout energy. The final time he acquired a stoppage was 5 fights in the past in Could final yr over Filipino Brian Lobetania (14-9-4, 11 KOs).
I spoke with promoter Sia Hui about his cost. “Boxing in Thailand is presently very quiet with one world champion. Chainoi is in phenomenal situation, and I’m assured he can pull it off. It’s much like when Srisaket went to Madison Sq. Backyard, New York, and beat Roman Gonzalez (51-4, 41 KOs). No one believed he might do it. I believe Chainoi can do it, after which possibly folks in Thailand will begin following boxing once more.”
As Worawut concluded his exercise, I managed to ask him a number of questions. When requested about Sam Goodman as a fighter, he stated, “Sam Goodman is an efficient fighter with quick footwork. He at all times waits to counterattack and has an important lead hand.” Relating to combating overseas for the primary time, he added, “It’s identical to one other combat. For greater than two months, I skilled at 100%. My purpose is to combat Inoue; it’s my dream, however I have to win the combat in opposition to Goodman first.”
In Saturday’s session, Worawut confirmed he’s 100% prepared for his combat with Goodman. He brings ferocity and depth, harking back to his stablemate Srisaket’s well-known upset. Worawut enters as an underdog, and boxing followers are questioning why Goodman didn’t face Inoue as a substitute. It’s unclear if Goodman views Worawut as a warm-up, however “The Rockman” is certainly sport.
Goodman (18-0, 8 KOs) is presently undefeated within the professional ranks with a embellished newbie profession. Rated at No. 4 by The Ring at bantamweight, Goodman owns wins over Tj Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs), Miguel Flores (25-5-1, 12 KOs), and Ra’eese Aleem (20-1, 12 KOs).
Be aware from the writer: I want to prolong my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Takashi Aoshima for making this expertise attainable. His assist and steering have been invaluable, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance he offered.
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