Lumpinee Boxing Stadium
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium (Thai: สนามเวทีมวยลุมพินี) is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. The stadium is named after Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee is run by the Royal Thai Army. It has become the symbol of modern Muay Thai. Only Rajadamnern Stadium rivals the prestige of holding the title of "Muay Thai Champion of Lumpinee". The ranking system and championship titles are held from mini flyweight (105 lb) up to super welterweight (154 lb).[1]
 New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in 2014 | |
| Location | Rama IV Road (8 December 1956 – 8 February 2014), Ram Intra Road (11 February 2014 – present) Bangkok, Thailand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 13°52′1.36″N 100°36′31.88″E |
| Owner | Royal Thai Army MG Rachit Arunrangsee, President |
| Operator | Royal Thai Army |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Field size | 3007.5 m2 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1956 |
| Opened | 8 December 1956 |
| Expanded | 11 February 2014 (move ground) |
| Tenants | |
| Songchai Promotions Annual King's Cup | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Muay Thai bouts are held on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The fights usually start around 18:00.[1]
The final event at its original site on Rama IV Road near Lumphini Park was held on 8 February 2014.[2] The stadium then moved to its new home on Ram Intra Road which can hold up to 5,000 spectators.[3] The new stadium held the first fight on 11 February 2014 and was officially opened on 28 February 2014.[4]
History
General Praphas Charusathien was the driving force behind the construction of the Lumpinee Stadium, the second national stadium built in Thailand after Rajadamnern. Lumpinee opened its doors on 8 December 1956. The stadium is operated by the Army Welfare Department of the Royal Thai Army. All proceeds from the fights go towards supporting the various departments of the Thai Army.[5] The board of directors, as of 2020 headed by Army Commander Apirat Kongsompong, consists entirely of army officers.[6]
Eleven promoters are responsible for booking boxers to fight at the stadium. The rules are the same as at Rajadamnern: boxers must weigh more than 100 lb (45.4 kg), older than 15 years, with a weight difference between boxers of not more than a 5 lb (2.3 kg). Women are not allowed to fight in the stadium or enter the ring.[7]
One of the most famous Lumpinee champions was Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn who reigned without defeat in the early-1980s, holding the Lightweight title for four years. He was eventually forced to retire because he ran out of opponents.[8]
Lumpinee Stadium was implicated in a cluster of COVID-19 cases during the coronavirus pandemic in Thailand in 2020. Boxing matches were held on 6 March 2020 in spite of a government shutdown order issued on 3 March.[10][11] Among those later stricken by COVID-19 was the chief of the Army Welfare Department, who had been at the stadium.[12]
In early 2021, it was reported that the Army was considering releasing the stadium to the private sector, or turning the stadium into a museum.[13] In response to this, Lumpinee management announced their intention to re-brand and implement major changes. These changes included allowing women to fight in the stadium, begin hosting mixed martial arts bouts and ban gambling in order to attract a non-gambling audience.[14][15]
Traditionally reserved for male fighters, Lumpinee Stadium eventually hosted its first female fight card on November 13, 2021. The main event featured Buakaw Mor.Kor.Chor.Chaiyaphum facing Sanaejan Sor.Jor.Tongprajin for the WBC Muaythai mini flyweight championship and Lumpinee Stadium women's mini flyweight championship, with Sanaejan winning by decision.[16]
Having long been a venue for Muay Thai, Lumpinee Stadium made history by holding its first mixed martial arts event on January 16, 2022, hosted by Fairtex Fight Promotion. The event consisted of both Muay Thai and MMA fights.[17][18] In August 2022 it began hosting ONE Championship events, with nearly all fights under Muay Thai rules.
Notable champions
Only six non-Thai athletes have become Lumpinee champions. The first winner was French-Algerian fighter Morad Sari, who claimed the super lightweight championship in 1999. French fighter Damien Alamos won the super lightweight title in 2012 and was the first foreigner to defend the belt later that year. France's Rafi Bohic, won the welterweight title in 2017 and defended the belt four times. Moroccan-Belgian Youssef Boughanem won the middleweight title in 2018. Japan's Nadaka Yoshinari became mini flyweight champion in 2019, though he won the belt at an event in Japan. The last non-Thai fighter to win the belt was Jimmy Vienot in 2019 at middleweight. A number of non-Thais have achieved top 10 rankings within the stadium. Ramon Dekkers was one of the most renowned foreign fighters in Lumpinee history, but he never won the Lumpinee belt. Stéphane Nikiéma would have been the second foreign Lumpinee champion, but his title fight ended in a no-contest.
Current champions
| Weight Class | Champion | Date won | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Flyweight | Vacant | 0 | |
| Light Flyweight | Vacant | 0 | |
| Flyweight | Vacant | - | - |
| Super Flyweight | Vacant | ||
| Bantamweight | Vacant | ||
| Super Bantamweight | Prajanchai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym | February 11, 2020 | 1352 |
| Featherweight | Vacant | - | - |
| Super Featherweight | Vacant | 0 | |
| Lightweight | Kanongsuek Gor.Kampanat | April 29, 2023 | 179 |
| Super Lightweight | Vacant | - | - |
| Welterweight | Rafi Bohic | February 27, 2018 | 2066 |
| Super Welterweight | Kongthailand Kiatnavy | May 6, 2023 | 172 |
| Middleweight | Denpanom Pran26 | June 17, 2023 | 130 |
| Super Middleweight | Vacant | ||
Championship history (incomplete)
Pinweight Championship
- Weight limit: 102 lb (46.3 kg)
| Name | Date | Defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Piti Muangkhonkaen (def. Sakarinnoi Suansampran) |
November 2, 1976 | ||
| Inaugural champion. Piti vacated the title in 1977. | |||
| Jakrawan Kiattisaktewan (def. Mongkoldej Sakwittaya) |
February 10, 1978 | ||
| Jakrawan vacated the title in 1978. | |||
| Hanuman Sitporluang (def. Somyot Sor.Thanyaburi) |
1978 | ||
| Kongtoranee Payakaroon (def. Hanuman Sitporluang) |
December 15, 1978 |
| |
| Bangkhlanoi Sor.Thanikul (def. Kongtoranee Payakaroon) |
June 26, 1979 | ||
| Bangkhlanoi vacated the title in 1979. | |||
| Samart Payakaroon (def. Kongsamut Sor Thanikul) |
February 11, 1980 |
| |
| Chamuekpet Hapalang (def. Samart Payakaroon) |
August 8, 1980 |
| |
| Rungchai Thairungruang (def. Chamuekpet Hapalang) |
January 9, 1981 | ||
| Wisanupon Saksamut (def. Rungchai Thairungruang) |
July 14, 1981 | ||
| Wisanupon vacated the title in 1982. | |||
| Palannoi Kiatanan (def. Paruhatlek Sitchunthong) |
May 21, 1982 | ||
| Palannoi vacated the title in 1982. | |||
| Paruhatlek Sitchunthong (def. Chakpethnoi Sitsei) |
December 7, 1982 |
| |
| Paruhatlek vacated the title in 1983 and the Pinweight championship was later discontinued. | |||
Lightweight Championship
- Weight limit: 135 lb (61.2 kg)
| Name | Date | Defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sompong Samarnchan (def. ) |
|||
| Inaugural champion. | |||
| Adul Srisothorn (def. Danchai Yontakit) |
|||
| The title was vacant as of May 1, 1963. | |||
| Wicharn Sor.Pinjisak (def. Prakaikaew Luk Sor.Kor.) |
May 28, 1963 | ||
| Wicharn vacated the title in 1963. | |||
| Saenthanong Ketsongkram (def. ) |
1966-1967 | ||
| Kanongmek Kachapichit (def. Saenthanong Ketsongkram) |
June 13, 1967 | ||
| Saennapa Payaksophon (def. ) |
1970 | ||
| The title was vacant as of April 1, 1974 . | |||
| Sirimongkol Luksiripat (def. Phayakphoom Phayakkhao) |
April 19, 1974 |
| |
| Sirimongkol vacated the title in 1977. | |||
| Siangnow Sitbangprachan (def. Siprae Kiatsompop) |
May 6, 1977 | ||
| Siprae Kiatsompop (def. Siangnow Sitbangprachan) |
September 6, 1977 | ||
| Kraipetch Sor.Prateep (def. ) |
1977 | ||
| Siprae Kiatsompop (def. ) |
1978 |
| |
| The title was vacant as of January 1, 1981. | |||
| Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn (def. Kaopong Sitchuchai) |
January 9, 1981 | ||
| Dieselnoi vacated the title in 1984. | |||
| Sagat Petchyindee (def. ) |
1985 |
| |
| The title became vacant as Sagat couldn't find an opponent in time. | |||
| Sagat Petchyindee (2) (def. Komtae Chor Swananan) |
June 17, 1988 | ||
| The title was vacant as of August 1, 1990. | |||
| Issara Sakkreerin (def. Thantawanoi Tor.Silachai) |
August 18, 1990 |
| |
| Issara vacated the title in 1991. | |||
| Coban Lookchaomaesaitong (def. Bandong Sitbangprachan) |
1991 | ||
| Nongmoon Chomphutong (def. Coban Lookchaomaesaitong) |
November 1991 | ||
| Nongmoon vacated the title in 1992. | |||
| Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat (def. Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj) |
October 13, 1992 | ||
| Petchdam Lukborai (def. Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat) |
April 6, 1993 |
| |
| Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat (2) (def. Petchdam Lukborai) |
November 27, 1993 | ||
| Sakmongkol Sithchuchok (def. Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat) |
January 8, 1994 | ||
| Chandet Sor Prantalay (def. Sakmongkol Sithchuchok) |
February 13, 1994 |
| |
| Jongsanan Fairtex (def. Chandet Sor Prantalay) |
July 1994 | ||
| Jongsanan vacated the title in 1994. | |||
| Pairot Wor.Wolapon (def. ) |
1994 | ||
| Orono Por Muang Ubon (def. Pairot Wor.Wolapon) |
December 24, 1994 |
| |
| Orono vacated the title in 1997. | |||
| Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj (def. Keng Singnakonkui) |
September 27, 1997 |
| |
| Samkor Chor.Rathchatasupak (def. Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj) |
1998 | ||
| Kaolan Kaovichit (def. Samkor Chor.Rathchatasupak) |
March 26, 1999 | ||
| Khunsuk Phetsupaphan (def. Kaolan Kaovichit) |
August 10, 1999 | ||
| The title was vacant as of April 1, 2000. | |||
| Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn (def. Kaolan Kaovichit) |
April 25, 2000 |
| |
| Namsaknoi vacated the title in 2006. | |||
| Sagadpet IngramGym (def. Samranchai 96Peenang) |
June 6, 2006 | ||
| Sagadpet vacated the title in 2008. | |||
| Duangsompong Kor.Sapaothong (def. Tuantong Phumpanmuang) |
September 16, 2008 | ||
| Kaew Fairtex (def. Duangsompong Kor.Sapaothong) |
March 21, 2009 | ||
| Kaew vacated the title in 2009. | |||
| Sagetdao Petpayathai (def. Saenchai Sor.Kingstar) |
December 8, 2009 | ||
| Petchboonchu FA Group (def. Sagetdao Petpayathai) |
June 4, 2010 | ||
| Saenchai SinbeeMuaythai (def. Petchboonchu FA Group) |
October 5, 2010 | ||
| Saenchai vacated the title in 2011. | |||
| Sagetdao Petpayathai (def. Petchboonchu FA Group) |
March 8, 2011 |
| |
| Petchboonchu FA Group (def. Sagetdao Petpayathai) |
July 7, 2011 | ||
| Petchboonchu vacated the title in 2013. | |||
| Singdam Kiatmoo9 (def. Nong-O Kaiyanghadaogym) |
June 8, 2012 |
| |
| Nong-O Kaiyanghadaogym (def. Singdam Kiatmoo9) |
June 7, 2013 | ||
| Singdam Kiatmoo9 (def. Nong-O Kaiyanghadaogym) |
July 12, 2013 | ||
| Petchboonchu FA Group (def. Singdam Kiatmoo9) |
October 11, 2013 |
| |
| Petchboonchu vacated the title in 2014. | |||
| Pakorn Sakyothin (def. Singdam Kiatmoo9) |
February 28, 2014 |
| |
| Pakorn vacated the title in 2015. | |||
| Chujaroen Dabransarakarm (def. Yodpanomrung Jitmuangnon) |
September 4, 2015 | ||
| Sittisak Petpayathai (def. Chujaroen Dabransarakarm) |
June 3, 2016 | ||
| Sittisak vacated the title in 2017. | |||
| Yodlekpet Or. Pitisak (def. Rambo Pet.Por.Tor.Or) |
June 9, 2017 | ||
| Yodlekpet vacated the title in 2018. | |||
| Kulabdam Sor.Jor.Piek-U-Thai (def. Genji Umeno) |
February 18, 2018 | ||
| Kulabdam vacated the title in 2019. | |||
| Nuathoranee Samchaivisetsuk (def. Sakchainoi M.U.Den) [19] |
November 30, 2019 | ||
| The title was retired in 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | |||
| Kanongsuk Gor.Kampanat (def. Mathias Gallo Cassarino) |
April 29, 2023 | ||
Super Welterweight Championship
- Weight limit: 154 lb (69.9 kg)
| Name | Date | Defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harn Silathong (def. Dechthai Ittichai) |
1972 |
| |
| The title was later discontinued for decades due to the lack of competition at the weight. | |||
| Saiyok Pumpanmuang (def. Farid Villaume) |
February 26, 2010 |
| |
| Saiyok vacated the title in 2012. | |||
| Sirimongkol Sitanupap (def. Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong) |
October 20, 2015 | ||
| Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong (def. Sirimongkol Sitniwat) |
February 16, 2016 |
| |
| Yodpayak vacated the title in 2017. | |||
| Buakiew Sitsongpeenong (def. Fahsura Windysport) |
September 1, 2017 | ||
| Buakiew vacated the title in 2018. | |||
| Talaytong Sor.Thanaphet (def. Luis Cajaiba) |
November 30, 2018 | ||
| Talaytong vacated the title in 2019. | |||
| Capitan Petchyindee Academy (def. Detrit Sathian Gym) |
June 1, 2019 |
| |
| The title was retired in 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | |||
| Kongthailand Kiatnavy (def. Luis Cajaiba) |
May 6, 2023 | ||
Middleweight Championship
- Weight limit: 160 lb (72.6 kg)
| Name | Date | Defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mekdam Lukchaofah (def. Suchai Ketsongkram) |
|||
| Inaugural champion. | |||
| Daoprakai Sor.Pinijsak (def. Sornchai Mullayut) |
1964 | ||
| Daoprakai was stripped of the title when he was knocked out by Apidej Sit-Hirun in a non-title fight on September 8, 1964. | |||
| Detchthai Ratchadet (def. Chakkrit Rithanuman) |
June 13, 1967 | ||
| Narong Pitsanurachan (def. ) |
1967 | ||
| Narong Pitsanurachan (2) (def. ) |
1969 | ||
| The title was vacant as of January 1, 1978. | |||
| Satanfah Sor.Prateep (def. Genshuu Igari) |
April 7, 1978 | ||
| Satanfah vacated the title in 1979. | |||
| Noppakaw SirilukMuaythai (def. Erhan Gungor) |
August 19, 2017 | ||
| Noppakaw vacated the title in 2017. | |||
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Youssef Boughanem (def. Talaytong Sor.Thanaphet) |
May 22, 2018 | ||
| Boughanem vacated the title in 2018. | |||
 Jimmy Vienot (def. Talaytong Sor.Thanaphet) |
April 30, 2019 | ||
| Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy (def. Jimmy Vienot) |
September 25, 2019 | ||
Super Middleweight Championship
- Weight limit: 168 lb (76.2 kg)
| Name | Date | Defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kompikat Sor.Tawanrung (def. Vianney Sépéroumal) |
December 17, 2017 | ||
| First and only champion of the division. | |||
References
- "Stadiums in Thailand". www.muaythaionline.org. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
- "Last Ever Show At Old Lumpinee Stadium 8th February 2014" (Video). YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- "End of an era as Lumpini Boxing Stadium closes its doors on Friday". Phuket News.
- "New Lumpini Stadium". Muay Thai Focus. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- "History of Lumpinee". World Muay Thai Council. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
- "Executive Management; Board of Director". Lumpinee Muai Thai. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- Mallon, Scott. "Lumpini Stadium Turns Fifty". The Sweet Science. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
- "Lumpini Stadium History". World Muay Thai Council. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
- Boonbandit, Tappanai (26 March 2020). "ARMY ORDERS PROBE IN SUPER-SPREADER BOXING MATCH". Khaosod English. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- Prateepchaikul, Veera (30 March 2020). "Army's role in boxing a shady affair" (Opinion). Bangkok Post. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- Nanuam, Wassana (14 March 2020). "Army welfare chief has virus, 60 quarantined". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- "ยกเครื่อง สนามมวยลุมพินี ให้เอกชนทำเป็นครั้งแรกในรอบ 64 ปี". khaosod.co.th. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- "เขย่าสนาม : ก้าวย่างใหม่เวทีมวย 'ลุมพินี' 'รีแบรนด์' สู่ระดับนานาชาติ ประกาศล้างบางการพนัน!". matichonweekly.com. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- "นายสนามมวย "ลุมพินี" วอนสังคมเข้าใจ หลังกลับมาจัดมวยไทยอีกครั้งแบบปิด". thairath.co.th. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- "THE FIRST WOMEN'S FIGHTS AT LUMPINI: HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT'S NEXT". Under The Ropes. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "Jade Ketley faces Apichat Fairtex in MMA card at Lumpinee". Asian MMA. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- "Jada Ketley submits Apidet Fairtex at Lumpinee Stadium". Asian MMA. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ""ฝนพันล้าน"ถล่มหมัดน็อก"แจ๊ค"ที่ลุมพินี". dailynews.co.th. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
External links
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