Samart Popteeratham (Thai: สามารถ ภพธีรธรรม, IPA: [sǎːmâːt pʰóptʰīːrāːtʰām]; born Samart Thipthamai; December 5, 1962), known professionally as Samart Payakaroon (สามารถ พยัคฆ์อรุณ, pronounced [sǎːmâːt pʰájákʔārūn]), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter, professional boxer, and entertainer. He is a former four-division Lumpinee Stadium champion and WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion, as well as the 1981 and 1988 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year, who was famous in the 1980s and 1990s. He is widely considered one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
He has also released several successful albums in Thailand and appeared in multiple films and TV shows. Nowadays he works as a Muay Thai trainer at his own gym in Bangkok. His students include elite fighters such as Chalamchon SamartPrayakaroonGym.
Samart Thipthamai was born December 5, 1962 in Chacherngsao, Thailand.
He began Muay Thai training at 10 years old after being introduced by his older brother, Manus Thipthamai. The First Muay Thai teacher of Payakaroon was Yodtong Senanan (Kru Tui) who taught both brothers. His first fight name was Lotus. After he fought about a dozen fights, he came to Bangkok to fight at Lumpinee Stadium in 1978.
He possessed an extremely high ring IQ, with lightning quick reflexes, and excellent ring vision. He also fought using creative techniques that were effective and unpredictable, even against elite competition in the 80s and 90s (dubbed the Golden Age of Muay Thai). There were contests where Payakaroon was pushed past the brink of exhaustion, and still gave his opponents the fight of their lives. Even in the period where he was more concerned about his music and acting career, he defeated some of the greatest fighters of his generation.[11]
In 1982, he turned to boxing where he fought from a southpaw stance. In 1986, he won a WBC junior featherweight title with a surprise KO over rock-chinned Lupe Pintor in the fifth round and defended against the respected Juan Meza before being stopped by undefeated Australian Jeff Fenech. He made a comeback in the 1990s and challenged unsuccessfully for another world title.
Payakaroon was named The Ring's Progress of the Year fighter for 1986. He now teaches Muay Thai and Boxing in Thailand.
Muay Thai
Boxing
Between his two stints as boxing champion, Samart signed with Grammy Entertainment, which he released three albums. They are pop music but with his upcountry accent (ner, Thai: เหน่อ) as opposed to central Thailand accent. His first album, Rock Ner Ner. (ร็อคเหน่อๆ) in 1989, contains a famous song On Som (อ่อนซ้อม - not enough practice) talking about him being very proficient in boxing but lacking the same aptitude at getting love from women. His second and third album, Arom Dee (อารมณ์ดี) and Kun Mai Kun Mike (คันไม้คันไมค์) followed in 1990 and 1992 with famous songs Nam Plik Pla Too (น้ำพริกปลาทู) and Kao Ao Eng (เกาเอาเอง) respectively.[13] After the release of three albums, he went back to boxing.
In 2000, Samart starred as a minor antagonist named Chartchai Payakaroon in A Fighter's Blues. He had a role in the 2001 Thai film, The Legend of Suriyothai. He had a major role in the French drama film, Fureur, and was in the 2004 film, The Bodyguard. In 2006, he co-starred in the Thai martial arts film, Dynamite Warrior. He appeared in Muay Thai Chaiya in 2007.
In 2015, his biography has created a documentary film released in Mard Payak (มาดพยัคฆ์; "Tiger Style") by NOW26 in a network of Nation Multimedia Group.[14]
Samart is considered to be the "Muhammad Ali" and "Sugar Ray Robinson" of Muay Thai.[3][9] His name holds prestige for followers of the sport to this day.
His first name, Samart, translates to "Capable" in Thai and his last name, "Payakaroon," translates to "Dawn of the Tiger." This, in addition with his handsome appearance earned him the nickname "Jade-faced Tiger."[4]
Many modern day fighters, such as Saekson Janjira, Matee Jedeepitek, Kongnapa Kansaek Sor Ploenjit, Lookchang, and Nokweed all look up to Samart and aspire to be like him.[11][dead link]
23 fights | 21 wins | 2 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 12 | 2 |
By decision | 9 | 0 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 | Loss | 21–2 | Eloy Rojas | TKO | 8 (12) | 11 Sep 1994 | Clarion MP Resort, Trang, Thailand | For WBA featherweight title |
22 | Win | 21–1 | Jerry Villacorta | KO | 5 (10) | 10 Apr 1994 | Anusom Stadium, Samut Prakan, Thailand | |
21 | Win | 20–1 | Boyet Andales | PTS | 10 | 13 Feb 1994 | Provincial Gymnasium, Chachoengsao, Thailand | |
20 | Win | 19–1 | Tiger Ari | PTS | 10 | 23 Jan 1994 | Provincial Stadium, Surat Thani, Thailand | |
19 | Win | 18–1 | Ignacio Jacome | KO | 5 (10) | 14 Nov 1993 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
18 | Win | 17–1 | Rudy Cabiles | PTS | 10 | 8 May 1993 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
17 | Win | 16–1 | Hector Cortez | TKO | 4 (10) | 27 Feb 1988 | Samut Sakhon, Thailand | |
16 | Win | 15–1 | Hogan Noguchi | TKO | 9 (10) | 8 Nov 1987 | Chachoengsao, Thailand | |
15 | Loss | 14–1 | Jeff Fenech | KO | 4 (12) | 8 May 1987 | Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia | Lost WBC super-bantamweight title |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Juan Meza | TKO | 12 (12) | 10 Dec 1986 | Huamark Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Retained WBC super-bantamweight title |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Rafael Gandarilla | PTS | 10 | 20 Jun 1986 | Paris, France | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Lupe Pintor | KO | 5 (12) | 18 Jan 1986 | Huamark Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Won vacant WBC super-bantamweight title |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Byung-Soo Park | KO | 6 (10) | 17 Nov 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Thongberm Vongvianyai | KO | 8 (10) | 13 Oct 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Chor Haphalang | KO | 6 (10) | 15 Sep 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Jaime Enriquez | PTS | 10 | 22 Jun 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Young Ho Lee | PTS | 10 | 24 Apr 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Ekalak Singnakornlueng | PTS | 10 | 6 Feb 1985 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Farid Gallouze | TKO | 4 (10) | 9 Nov 1984 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Neptali Alamag | TKO | 7 (10) | 31 Jul 1984 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Saipa Monod | KO | 1 (10) | 12 Jun 1984 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Juanito Favila | UD | 10 | 24 Apr 1984 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Netrnoi Sor Vorasingh | PTS | 10 | 24 Aug 1982 | Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand |
200 Wins, 48 Losses, 2 Draws | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001-01-20 | Loss | ![]() |
Muay Thai combat - Sidekick Promotion | Inglewood, California, US | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Win | ![]() |
Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
1993-12-10 | Win | ![]() |
France | TKO | 3 | 2:40 | ||
1993-12-05 | Win | ![]() |
King's Birthday | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1993-10-02 | Win | ![]() |
Paris, France | TKO | 3 | |||
1993-04-24 | Win | ![]() |
MAJKF | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1989-05-10 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1989-01-06 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Right hook) | 1 | ||
1988-12-02 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1988-10-28 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 3 | ||
1988-06-24 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1988-05-26 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1988-01-26 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Punches) | 1 | ||
1984-09-21 | Win | ![]() |
Paris, France | TKO | 4 | |||
1983-12-28 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium (133 lbs) | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Receives the Yodmuaythai trophy. | ||||||||
1983-11-11 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1983-10-13 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1983-08-24 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1983-04-05 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Defends the Lumpinee Stadium Featherweight (126 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1983-02-04 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1982-12-24 | Loss | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1982-05-10 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1982-03-12 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1982-01-15 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1981-11-09 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1981-10-13 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins the vacant Lumpinee Stadium Featherweight (126 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1981-09-04 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1981-06-09 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1981-04-28 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1981-03-31 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins the Lumpinee Stadium Super Flyweight (115 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1981-01-13 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1980-12-02 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1980-11-11 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins the vacant Lumpinee Stadium Light Flyweight (108 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1980-10-14 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1980-09-23 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1980-09-05 | NC | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Referee stoppage | 4 | 3:00 | |
1980-08-08 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Loses the Lumpinee Stadium Pinweight (102 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1980-06-27 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1980-06-06 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Defends the Lumpinee Stadium Pinweight (102 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1980-04-29 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1980-03-28 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1980-03-14 | Win | ![]() |
Pattaya, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1980-02-11 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins the Lumpinee Stadium Pinweight (102 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1979-12-30 | Draw | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1979-12-02 | Win | ![]() |
Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1979-11-02 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1979-08-17 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 3 | ||
1979-06-26 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1979-06-08 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1979-03-23 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1979-02-25 | Draw | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1979-02-13 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1979-01-01 | Win | ![]() |
Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-11-20 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1978-08-06 | Win | ![]() |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1978-07-20 | Win | ![]() |
Chanthaburi Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-07-03 | Win | ![]() |
Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-05-23 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium 100 lbs | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1978-05-05 | Win | ![]() |
Sam Yan, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-04-23 | Win | ![]() |
Pong District, Thailand | KO | 2 | |||
1978-04-15 | Win | ![]() |
Ratchaburi Province, Thailand | KO | 3 | |||
1978-04-03 | Win | ![]() |
Rayong Province, Thailand | KO | 4 | |||
1978-03-27 | Loss | ![]() |
Nonthaburi Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-03-02 | Win | ![]() |
Samrong District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-02-19 | Win | ![]() |
Phanat Nikhom District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-02-01 | Loss | ![]() |
Chanthaburi Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1978-01-18 | Loss | ![]() |
Chonburi Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1977-12-13 | Loss | ![]() |
Chai Nat Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1977-08-04 | Win | ![]() |
Ban Bueng District, Thailand | KO | 3 | |||
1977-06-20 | Win | ![]() |
Phanat Nikhom District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1977-03-19 | Win | ![]() |
Pak Kret District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1977-01-24 | Win | ![]() |
Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1976-12-01 | Win | ![]() |
Kalasin Province, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1976-10-30 | Win | ![]() |
Roi Et Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1976-07-12 | Win | ![]() |
Phitsanulok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1976-07-12 | Win | ![]() |
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1976-03-03 | Win | ![]() |
Pattaya, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1976-02-19 | Win | ![]() |
Kanchanaburi, Thailand | KO | 2 | |||
1976-02-07 | Win | ![]() |
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand | KO | 2 | |||
1976-01- | Win | ![]() |
Samrong District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1976-01-07 | Win | ![]() |
Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 2 | |||
1975-12- | Win | ![]() |
Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-12- | Win | ![]() |
Trat Province, Thailand | KO | 2 | |||
1975-12-10 | Win | ![]() |
Trat Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-12-04 | Win | ![]() |
Chanthaburi Province, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1975-11-20 | Win | ![]() |
Chanthaburi Province, Thailand | KO | 3 | |||
1975-11-12 | Win | ![]() |
Rayong, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-10-27 | Win | ![]() |
Lat Phrao District, Thailand | KO | 4 | |||
1975-10-26 | Win | ![]() |
Trat Province, Thailand | KO | 3 | |||
1975-10-04 | Win | ![]() |
Trat Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-09-30 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-09-20 | Win | ![]() |
Trat Province, Thailand | KO | 3 | |||
1975-08-31 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-08-17 | Win | ![]() |
Trat Province, Thailand | KO | 2 | |||
1975-08-07 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1975-05-05 | Loss | ![]() |
Samrong District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-03-29 | Loss | ![]() |
Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-02-29 | Win | ![]() |
Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-02-10 | Win | ![]() |
Ayutthaya Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-01-19 | Win | ![]() |
Ban Khai District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-01-10 | Loss | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1975-01-02 | Loss | ![]() |
Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-12-09 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | KO | 4 | |||
1974-11-21 | Win | ![]() |
Pattaya, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-10-16 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-09-03 | Loss | ![]() |
Chonburi Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-08-19 | Win | ![]() |
Phetchaburi Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-07-31 | Loss | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-05-15 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-04-16 | Draw | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-03-13 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-03-13 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-02-25 | Loss | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-01-31 | Loss | ![]() |
Chonburi Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1974-01-27 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1974-01-19 | Win | ![]() |
Bang Lamung District, Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
1974-01-04 | Win | ![]() |
Pattaya, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
Samart's first fight after joining Siyodtong gym. | ||||||||
1972- | Win | ![]() |
Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
Samart's first fight, won 40 baht. | ||||||||
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
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