King of Thailand’s Birthday Celebration: WMC-S1 Tournament

Another excellent tournament was put on by Songchai Promotion and World Muaythai Council following the WMC competitions on the 5th of December. WMC-S1 Tournament featuring fighters from around the world battled it out in a knockout competition – fighting for a big payday. More importantly, the King’s Cup, donated by H.M. the King of Thailand, was given to the best boxer at the end. It has been the first time in nearly 3 decades that His Majesty has donated a cup to professional MUAYTHAI.

The fighters from around the world qualified through the competition were as followed: Bruce (The Preacher) McFie (Australia ), Paulo Balicha (Switzerland), Jean Charles Skarbowsky (France), Fidan (Turkey), Okar (Iran), Mateo (Italy), Wanlop Sitpholek (Thailand), and Lamsongkhram Suanaharnjawee (Thailand).

The first of the battles were 3-round fights with most fighters going for knockouts to lessen their injuries and go through the next fight, elbows were allowed which made for some abrupt endings.

First in the ring was The Preacher against Fidan. The first round was pretty even, Fidan throwing his trademark punches but not really breaking past McFie’s defenses. In the 2nd round, The Preacher unloaded a massive right hand and followed with an elbow, and made his way through to the next round.

Then Wanlop took centre stage against Okar – Okar from the opening bell went to work for an early knockout. Wanlop showed his class with a left elbow and following by a barrage of punches leaving the referee no option but to stop the fight. This fight had the crowd on their feet.

Lamsongkhram Suanaharnjawee, ranked number 6 in the WMC World ranking, stepped up next against Mateo from Italy. Lamsongkhram is well known for his elbows and wasted no time winning within 2 minutes and 30 seconds in the first round. His accurate elbows found the mark on the unfortunate Mateo. Again, the referee stepped in to stop the carnage before the 1st bell. Mateo left with a cloth pressed to a massive gash in his forehead.

Next bout was Paulo Balicha and Skarbowsky; this was a spectacular fight and went on for the 3 full rounds. Paulo seemed to have it all sewn up after the first 2 rounds, a much faster boxer with great footwork, sending in powerful head kicks at a fine rate. Skarbowsky seemed unable to match the speed or range of tactics: nevertheless in the 3rd round, Paulo sat back, thinking it all over and saw his lead eroded. A hard fight to call; but the judges gave it to Skarbowsky - a rematch on the cards already for next month, right here in Bangkok!

So the semi-finals: The Preacher against Lamsongkhram and Skarbowsky against Wanlop. Two completely different fights were witnessed.

First up was Lamsongkhram (current Rajadamern 72 kg Champion ranked number 6 of WMC) against the Preacher (Commonwealth Champion, WMC South Pacific Champion). This was definitely the fight of the night with neither boxer giving quarter at any stage.

Lamsongkhram had a clear reach advantage: a great effect, surgical is the only description for the knee strikes he was pouring in and combined with lethal elbows. He is a difficult fighter to defeat. The Preacher took the fight to him, moving steadily about the ring, firing in powerful punches and good, solid body-kicks. In the final round, McFie moved in for the knock-out, holding Lamsongkhram against the ropes aiming to crack past the knee-push-kick combos coming at him. It was a sensational finishing but a close win for Lamsongkhram and this defiantly will be another rematch for 2006.

The other semi was clearly Wanlop’s (former WMC World Champion ranked number 8 in the World ranking) from the go; although some in the crowd were surprised it went the distance. Skarbowsky had clearly been rattled by his battle with Balicha earlier and was lacking fire, plodding forward with punch and leg-kick combinations. Wanlop was swinging uncharacteristically wild punches, clearly looking for a knockout so he could recover for the final. But Skarbowsky, again, showing his class using the ring wisely; but Wanlop, the clear winner, and it was what the nation of Thailand had hoped for.

The trophy donated by His Majesty would stay in Thailand for another 12 months; the pride of the country had still been saved.

Final: Lamsongkram versus Wanlop

It was a good, solid fight for Lamsongkhram, showing no signs of his difficult semi-final but Wanlop had two hard fights behind him, and seemed to have little answer to the powerful knees coming at him. But how many other 32 year olds could have fought 3 times in one night against a Lamsongkhran which is in the prime of his career.

A clear win in the Songchai Promotions WMC S1 for Lamsongkhram Suanaharnjawee: but kudos for the valiant effort which Wanlop put in.

It’s always great to see good foreign fighters mixing it with the best that Thailand has to offer; hopefully we will see Balicha, Skarbowsky and The Preacher in action here again. A great series of fights, explosive elbows keeping the action moving along: giving the crowd of 300,000 or more lots to cheer about.

Lamsongkram is the most talked about fighter in Thailand this month as he has been the one lifting up the trophy donated by His Majesty the King on this glorious occasion.

Congratulations to Songchai and the WMC for this great and historical day for MUAYTHAI.

Long Live the King