Samart Popteeratham (, ; born Samart Thipthamai; December 5, 1962), known professionally as Samart Payakaroon (, ), 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.
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.
Biography and fighting career
Muay Thai
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.
Boxing
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 Rings Progress of the Year fighter for 1986. He now teaches Muay Thai and Boxing in Thailand.
Titles and accomplishmentsMuay ThaiLumpinee Stadium 1980 Lumpinee Stadium Pinweight (102 lbs) Champion 1980 Lumpinee Stadium Mini Flyweight (105 lbs) Champion 1981 Lumpinee Stadium Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion 1981 Lumpinee Stadium Featherweight (126 lbs) ChampionAwards 1981 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year 1981 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year (vs Mafuang Weerapol) 1982 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year (vs Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn) 1983 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year 1988 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year (vs Panomtuanlek Hapalang) 1988 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the YearBoxingWorld Boxing Council 1986 WBC World Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) Champion
Entertainment career
Music
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., iKey (GMM online music store), accessed December 27, 2007. After the release of three albums, he went back to boxing.
Acting
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.http://www.now26.tv/view/55765 "มาดพยัคฆ์" 24 ก.ย.นี้ ที่โรงภาพยนตร์เครือ SF CINEMA, date September 23, 2015, accessed June 25, 2016.
Legacy
Samart is considered to be the "Muhammad Ali" and "Sugar Ray Robinson" of Muay Thai. 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 "Tiger of the Dawn." This, in addition with his handsome appearance earned him the nickname "Jade-faced Tiger."
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes23Loss21–2Eloy Rojas8 (12) 11 Sep 199422Win21–1Jerry VillacortaKO5 (10) 10 Apr 199421Win20–1Boyet AndalesPTS10 13 Feb 199420Win19–1Tiger Ari PTS10 23 Jan 199419Win18–1Ignacio JacomeKO5 (10)14 Nov 199318Win17–1Rudy CabilesPTS10 8 May 199317Win16–1Hector CortezTKO4 (10)27 Feb 1988 16Win15–1Hogan NoguchiTKO9 (10)8 Nov 198715Loss14–1Jeff FenechKO4 (12)8 May 198714Win14–0Juan MezaTKO12 (12)10 Dec 198613Win13–0Rafael GandarillaPTS1020 Jun 198612Win12–0Lupe PintorKO5 (12)18 Jan 198611Win11–0Byung-Soo ParkKO6 (10)17 Nov 198510Win10–0Thongberm VongvianyaiKO8 (10)13 Oct 19859Win9–0Chor HaphalangKO6 (10)15 Sep 19858Win8–0Jaime Enriquez PTS10 22 Jun 19857Win7–0Young Ho LeePTS10 24 Apr 19856Win6–0Ekalak SingnakornluengPTS10 6 Feb 19855Win5–0Farid GallouzeTKO4 (10)9 Nov 19844Win4–0Neptali Alamag7 (10)31 Jul 19843Win3–0Saipa Monod1 (10) 12 Jun 19842Win2–0Juanito FavilaUD10 24 Apr 19841Win1–0Netrnoi Sor Vorasingh10 24 Aug 1982
Muay Thai record
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2001-01-20|| Loss ||align=left| Varazdat Mihranyan || Muay Thai combat - Sidekick Promotion || Inglewood, California, US || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1994 || Win ||align=left| Maikel Lieuwfat || || Germany || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1993-12-10 || Win ||align=left| Paul Lenehan || Palais des Sports Stadium || Paris, France || TKO (Knees) || 3 || 2:40
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1993-12-04 || Win ||align=left| Gilbert Ballantine || King's Birthday || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1993-10-02 || Win ||align=left| Murat Comert || Palais des Sports Stadium || Paris, France || TKO (Retirement) || 2 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1993-04-24 || Win ||align=left| Satoshi Niizuma || MAJKF || Tokyo, Japan || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#FFBBBB;" | 1989-05-10 || Loss ||align=left| Wangchannoi Sor.Palangchai || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1989-01-06 || Win ||align=left| Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Right hook) || 1 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-12-02 || Win ||align=left| Namphon Nongkeepahuyuth || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-10-28 || Win ||align=left| Namphon Nongkeepahuyuth || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || TKO (Doctor stoppage) || 3 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-06-24 || Win ||align=left| Samransak Muangsurin || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-05-26 || Win ||align=left| Samransak Muangsurin || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1988-01-26 || Win ||align=left| Panomtuanlek Hapalang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Punches) || 1 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1984-09-21 || Win ||align=left| Wattana Soudareth || || Paris, France || TKO (Right uppercut) || 4 ||
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1983-12-28 || Win ||align=left| Samart Prasarnmit || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1983-11-11 || Win ||align=left| Chamuekpet Hapalang || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1983-10-13 || Win ||align=left| Rachabut Sor.Thanikul || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1983-08-24 || Win ||align=left| Kitti Sor.Thanikul || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1983-04-05 || Win ||align=left| Samransak Muangsurin || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1983-02-04 || Win ||align=left| Samingnoom Sithiboontham || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#FFBBBB;" | 1982-12-24 || Loss ||align=left| Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn || Onesongchai, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1982-05-10 || Win ||align=left| Padejsuk Pitsanurachan || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1982-03-12 || Win ||align=left| Padejsuk Pitsanurachan || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1982-01-15 || Win ||align=left| Nongkhai Sor.Prapatsorn || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1981-11-09 || Win ||align=left| Kitti Sor.Thanikul || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1981-10-13 || Win ||align=left| Samingnoom Sithiboontham || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1981-09-04 || Win ||align=left| Paruhat Loh-ngoen || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1981-06-09 || Win ||align=left| Mafuang Weerapol || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1981-04-28 || Win ||align=left| Fonluang Luksadetmaepuanthong || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1981-03-31 || Win ||align=left| Singthong Prasopchai || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1981-01-13 || Win ||align=left| Poollap Saknirun || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1980-12-02 || Win ||align=left| Chamuekpet Hapalang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1980-11-11 || Win ||align=left| Poollap Saknirun || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1980-10-14 || Win ||align=left| Hanuman Sitporluang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 1980-09-23 || Win ||align=left| Bangkhlanoi Sor.Thanikul || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="background:#c5d2ea;" | 1980-09-05 || NC ||align=left| Jampatong Na Nontachai || Onesongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Jampatong dismissed || 5 ||
|- style="background:#fbb;"