Jongsanan Fairtex

Jongsanan was born July 24, 1974, in Chaiyaphum Province. He grew up in a poor farming family, he was introduced to Muay Thai by his grandfather with whom he would watch fights on the local television. He wasn't doing well in school and told his parents he wanted to be a fighter. He started fighting in the region from the age of 11.[1]

At 16 Jongsanan managed to join the Fairtex Gym in Bangkok through his uncle's connections. The first five months were rough as he didn't receive any training and kept doing various chores until the gym needed him as a last minute replacement. After the win on short notice Jongsanan gained respect of the trainers, most notably of Monlit Sitphodaeng.[2]

In 1991 Jongsanan was matched with Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang, at the time Jongsanan was receiving only 60,000 baht a fight while Dokmaipa received 200,000 baht. Jongsanan's promoter, Mr. Philip Wong, wanted this fight to be his rise to stardom, he trained harder than ever and managed to win by decision at Lumpinee Stadium on July 7.[3]

His rise to stardom at Lumpinee Stadium was blazingly fast, becoming champion in less than 20 fights. He was known for his power, clinch and sweeps.

Jongsanan's most intense rivalry was against Sakmongkol Sithchuchok, they had 7 fights. Their fifth fight became known as the "Elbow Fight" and is considered as one of the most brutal in Muay Thai history.

In 1998 Jongsanan moved to the United States to become a trainer at the Fairtex gym in San Francisco. He kept fighting in the United States in kickboxing, boxing and Muay Thai rules until 2005.[4]

• Fairtex Gym