Thachtana Luangphon (25-0-1, 15 KOs), also called 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 can be Worawut’s first time preventing 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 Might hinting on the battle with Goodman. Initially, this appeared unlikely as Goodman was anticipated to problem “The Monster” Inoue later within the 12 months. 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 almost two months, the Sam Goodman battle was confirmed, and “The Rockman” is gearing up for the largest battle 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 relies. The health club, nestled within the quiet district of Phra Phutthabat, buzzed with the presence of Worawut’s fan membership, who got here to help him.
As I waited for the crew, I met my previous pal, tremendous featherweight Wanchana Meenayothin (22-2-1, 12 KOs), a half-Thai, half-German boxer introduced in as a sparring companion. 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 favor coaching right here than in Bangkok. We often spar on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, however Sia Hui is coming immediately to see how Chainoi is trying. We’ll do the final sparring of the camp immediately.”
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 help community surrounds Worawut as he prepares for his upcoming showdown with Goodman, able to make his mark on the worldwide stage.
As Surachart Pisitwuttian, referred to as “Sia Hui,” entered the calm and nonetheless boxing health club, the ambiance shifted to one in every 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 skills 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 objective 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 start out loosening up. Worawut has made modifications 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 immediately had 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), all the time brings the stress. Final 12 months, he was on the cusp of profitable the WBC bantam eliminator in opposition to Filipino Vincent Astrolabio (19-4, 14 KOs) however misplaced by stoppage within the eleventh spherical.
Telephones had been put away, and I requested Mr. Pisitwuttian if I may take images. He sternly informed me it was okay, simply no movies. Within the sparring session, Kaikanha’s relentless stress and mixture punching had been evident. Every spherical, the boxers alternated, maintaining Worawut recent with a brand new companion each three minutes. Twenty-five-year-old Meenayothin, with a powerful report, carried out nicely. Worawut demonstrated nice footwork and selective pictures, 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 atmosphere. As punches had been traded, coach Supap instructed his cost to remain targeted.
Chainoi Worawut (proper) spars in opposition to Wanchana Meenayothin (left) – Picture by Wasim Mather
Although Chainoi is a stress fighter, it’s superb 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, exhibiting 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 means Worawut skilled. He merely responded, “It’s all the time like this; he offers it 150% at each session.” Worawut, 28, was a profitable Muay Thai fighter with a report 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 sort of attention-grabbing. Chainoi is an orthodox and is thought for his left hook, and his dad is a southpaw identified for his proper hook.”
Worawut began his profession with knockouts so brutal you possibly can make a spotlight reel out of them, with unanimous resolution wins over former world champions Suriyan Satorn (61-14-1, 41 KO) and Panya Uthok(58-16, 39 KO). Curiously, it looks like the 27-year-old has misplaced his knockout energy. The final time he bought a stoppage was 5 fights in the past in Might final 12 months 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 person believed he may do it. I feel Chainoi can do it, after which possibly individuals 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 all the time waits to counterattack and has an excellent lead hand.” Relating to preventing overseas for the primary time, he added, “It’s identical to one other battle. For greater than two months, I skilled at 100%. My objective is to battle Inoue; it’s my dream, however I must win the battle in opposition to Goodman first.”
In Saturday’s session, Worawut confirmed he’s 100% prepared for his battle 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 unquestionably recreation.
Goodman (18-0, 8 KOs) is presently undefeated within the professional ranks with a adorned 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 help and steering have been invaluable, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance he supplied.
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