Chamroen Songkitrat

Chamroen Songkitrat (Thai: จำเริญ ทรงกิตรัตน์), born as Samroeng Srimadi, was a Thai boxer and policeman. Songkitrat was a champion Muay Thai fighter in Thailand with over 50 fights before becoming an orthodox boxer. He made two unsuccessful attempts at the NBA World Bantamweight title to Jimmy Carruthers and Robert Cohen in May and September 1954, both to audiences over 60,000. He is considered the first Thai boxer to have the opportunity to challenge for a World Champion, his fight with Jimmy Carruthers on May 2, 1954 was also the first world-class professional boxing event that took place in Thailand.

Chamroen Songkitrat
Chamroen Songkitrat (left) and Jimmy Carruthers (right) in heavy rain during their fight on May 2, 1954.
Statistics
Real namePol. Maj. Samroeng Srimadi
(พ.ต.ต.สำเริง ศรีมาดี)
Nickname(s)Jinglen fai (จิ้งเหลนไฟ)
"Fire Skink"
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Height163 cm (5 ft 4 in)
Reach155 cm (61 in)
NationalityThai
BornOctober 20, 1928
Nong Khai province, Thailand
DiedAugust 29, 2003(2003-08-29) (aged 74)
Bangkok, Thailand
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights16
Wins9
Wins by KO2
Losses5
Draws2

Career

On December 30, 1949, Songkitrat debuted against Mok Kai Khoon in the Happy World Arena, Singapore.

The first time he challenged the World Champion was against Australian Jimmy Carruthers on May 2, 1954, at the National Stadium (Suphachalasai Stadium). More than 60,000 spectators attended, including King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand[1] Songkitrat was sponsored partly by the Royal Thai Police Department. The stadium was open-roofed, and as it was monsoon season and raining, both competitors fought barefoot and were forced to dodge falling light globes as they exploded from gusts of wind.[2] This is the first recorded match in modern world boxing history where boxers removed their boots.[3]

On September 19, 1954, Songkitrat challenged World Champion Robert Cohen at the National Stadium (Suphachalasai Stadium). His nose was broken during the seventh round, but he fought on, only to lose through points after 15 rounds.[4]

On March 9, 1955, he fought Raúl Macías at Cow Palace, in California, and lost.[5]

After retiring from boxing, he continued to work as a police officer. Upon quitting the force, Songkitrat spent time working in France before returning to Bangkok. He opened a business in Chiang Mai, but after becoming paralyzed he returned to Bangkok. He died there on August 29, 2003, at the age of 74.[6]


Professional boxing record
16 fights 9 wins 5 losses
By knockout 2 2
By decision 7 3
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
16 Win 9–4–2 Baby Ross PTS 10 Nov 18, 1955 Bangkok, Thailand
15 Win 8–4–2 Masayuki Hasegawa PTS 8 Apr 1, 1955 Bangkok, Thailand
14 Win 7–4–2 Billy Peacock TKO 9 (10) Oct 17, 1955 Bangkok, Thailand
13 Loss 6–4–2 Danny Kid PTS 10 Sep 4, 1955 Bangkok, Thailand
12 Loss 6–4–2 Raúl Macías TKO 11 (12), 2:38 Mar 9, 1955 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US For vacant NBA bantamweight title
11 Loss 6–3–2 Robert Cohen SD 15 Sep 19, 1955 National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, Thailand For vacant NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
10 Loss 6–2–2 Jimmy Carruthers PTS 12 May 2, 1954 National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, Thailand For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
9 Win 6–1–2 Kevin James KO 6 (10) Mar 29, 1954 Bangkok, Thailand
8 Win 5–1–2 Pappy Gault UD 10 Jan 10, 1954 Bangkok, Thailand
7 Win 4–1–2 Jimmy Pearce KO 1 (10) Oct 13, 1953 Bangkok, Thailand
6 Win 3–1–2 Masashi Akiyama PTS 10 May 31, 1953 Bangkok, Thailand
5 Win 2–1–2 Masashi Akiyama PTS 12 Mar 1, 1953 Bangkok, Thailand Retained PBF and Orient lightweight titles
4 Win 1–1–2 Speedy Cabanela PTS 12 Oct 13, 1952 Bangkok Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Won vacant PBF and Orient lightweight titles
3 Loss 0–1–2 Larry Bataan PTS 12 Jul 26, 1952 Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Philippines For vacant Orient featherweight title
2 Draw 0–0–2 Tanny Campo PTS 10 Nov 19, 1951 Bangkok, Thailand
1 Draw 0–0–1 Mok Kai Khoon PTS 8 Dec 30, 1949 Happy World Arena, Singapore

References
  1. "Champion's eye gashed in sensational fight". Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954). 1954-05-03. p. 1. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  2. "Tired Carruthers Admits Songkitrat Did Very Well". Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954). 1954-05-03. p. 1. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  3. ซูม (2011-10-02). ย้อนอดีตศึกชิงแชมป์โลก ครั้งแรกของประเทศไทย. Thairath (in Thai). Retrieved 2017-06-05.
  4. "Songkitrat's Nose Broken". Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954). 1954-09-20. p. 16. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  5. "Macias Beats Songkitrat". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 1955-03-11. p. 8. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  6. ชายพจน์. มวยดังไทยแลนด์ในอดีต: "จิ้งเหลนไฟ" จำเริญ ทรงกิตรัตน์. นิตยสารมวยโลก. เล่มที่ 837. กันยายน 2543. (in Thai)
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.