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]

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium
(Sanam Muay Lumpinee)
New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in 2014
LocationRama IV Road (8 December 1956 – 8 February 2014),
Ram Intra Road (11 February 2014 – present)
Bangkok, Thailand
Coordinates13°52′1.36″N 100°36′31.88″E
OwnerRoyal Thai Army
MG Rachit Arunrangsee,
President
OperatorRoyal Thai Army
Capacity5,000
Field size3007.5 m2
Construction
Built1956
Opened8 December 1956
Expanded11 February 2014 (move ground)
Tenants
Songchai Promotions
Annual King's Cup
Website
www.lumpineemuaythai.com/home/

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

The bell of the old stadium
Muay Thai ring at the old stadium in 2005
Inside the new stadium

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.[9] 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

Boxer in new Lumpinee Boxing Stadium

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 ClassChampionDate wonDays
Mini FlyweightVacant0
Light FlyweightVacant0
FlyweightVacant--
Super FlyweightVacant
BantamweightVacant
Super BantamweightPrajanchai P.K.SaenchaimuaythaigymFebruary 11, 20201352
FeatherweightVacant--
Super FeatherweightVacant0
LightweightKanongsuek Gor.KampanatApril 29, 2023179
Super LightweightVacant--
WelterweightRafi BohicFebruary 27, 20182066
Super WelterweightKongthailand KiatnavyMay 6, 2023172
MiddleweightDenpanom Pran26June 17, 2023130
Super MiddleweightVacant

Championship history (incomplete)

Pinweight Championship

Weight limit: 102 lb (46.3 kg)
Name Date Defenses
Thailand Piti Muangkhonkaen
(def. Sakarinnoi Suansampran)
November 2, 1976
Inaugural champion. Piti vacated the title in 1977.
Thailand Jakrawan Kiattisaktewan
(def. Mongkoldej Sakwittaya)
February 10, 1978
Jakrawan vacated the title in 1978.
Thailand Hanuman Sitporluang
(def. Somyot Sor.Thanyaburi)
1978
Thailand Kongtoranee Payakaroon
(def. Hanuman Sitporluang)
December 15, 1978
  • def. Kingchai Phisanchai on March 23, 1979
Thailand Bangkhlanoi Sor.Thanikul
(def. Kongtoranee Payakaroon)
June 26, 1979
Bangkhlanoi vacated the title in 1979.
Thailand Samart Payakaroon
(def. Kongsamut Sor Thanikul)
February 11, 1980
Thailand Chamuekpet Hapalang
(def. Samart Payakaroon)
August 8, 1980
Thailand Rungchai Thairungruang
(def. Chamuekpet Hapalang)
January 9, 1981
Thailand Wisanupon Saksamut
(def. Rungchai Thairungruang)
July 14, 1981
Wisanupon vacated the title in 1982.
Thailand Palannoi Kiatanan
(def. Paruhatlek Sitchunthong)
May 21, 1982
Palannoi vacated the title in 1982.
Thailand Paruhatlek Sitchunthong
(def. Chakpethnoi Sitsei)
December 7, 1982
  • def. Kaophong Sitmorbon on January 7, 1983
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
Thailand Sompong Samarnchan
(def. )
Inaugural champion.
Thailand Adul Srisothorn
(def. Danchai Yontakit)
The title was vacant as of May 1, 1963.
Thailand Wicharn Sor.Pinjisak
(def. Prakaikaew Luk Sor.Kor.)
May 28, 1963
Wicharn vacated the title in 1963.
Thailand Saenthanong Ketsongkram
(def. )
1966-1967
Thailand Kanongmek Kachapichit
(def. Saenthanong Ketsongkram)
June 13, 1967
Thailand Saennapa Payaksophon
(def. )
1970
The title was vacant as of April 1, 1974 .
Thailand Sirimongkol Luksiripat
(def. Phayakphoom Phayakkhao)
April 19, 1974
  • def. Monsawan Lukchiangmai on November 2, 1976
Sirimongkol vacated the title in 1977.
Thailand Siangnow Sitbangprachan
(def. Siprae Kiatsompop)
May 6, 1977
Thailand Siprae Kiatsompop
(def. Siangnow Sitbangprachan)
September 6, 1977
Thailand Kraipetch Sor.Prateep
(def. )
1977
Thailand Siprae Kiatsompop
(def. )
1978
  • def. Jongcharoen Sakwittaya on February 20, 1979
The title was vacant as of January 1, 1981.
Thailand Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn
(def. Kaopong Sitchuchai)
January 9, 1981
Dieselnoi vacated the title in 1984.
Thailand Sagat Petchyindee
(def. )
1985
  • def. Sawainoi Daopadriew on October 22, 1985
The title became vacant as Sagat couldn't find an opponent in time.
Thailand Sagat Petchyindee (2)
(def. Komtae Chor Swananan)
June 17, 1988
The title was vacant as of August 1, 1990.
Thailand Issara Sakkreerin
(def. Thantawanoi Tor.Silachai)
August 18, 1990
Issara vacated the title in 1991.
Thailand Coban Lookchaomaesaitong
(def. Bandong Sitbangprachan)
1991
Thailand Nongmoon Chomphutong
(def. Coban Lookchaomaesaitong)
November 1991
Nongmoon vacated the title in 1992.
Thailand Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat
(def. Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj)
October 13, 1992
Thailand Petchdam Lukborai
(def. Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat)
April 6, 1993
Thailand Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat (2)
(def. Petchdam Lukborai)
November 27, 1993
Thailand Sakmongkol Sithchuchok
(def. Panomrunglek Chor.Sawat)
January 8, 1994
Thailand Chandet Sor Prantalay
(def. Sakmongkol Sithchuchok)
February 13, 1994
Thailand Jongsanan Fairtex
(def. Chandet Sor Prantalay)
July 1994
Jongsanan vacated the title in 1994.
Thailand Pairot Wor.Wolapon
(def. )
1994
Thailand Orono Por Muang Ubon
(def. Pairot Wor.Wolapon)
December 24, 1994
Orono vacated the title in 1997.
Thailand Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj
(def. Keng Singnakonkui)
September 27, 1997
  • def. Prabpramlek Sitnarong on February 14, 1998
Thailand Samkor Chor.Rathchatasupak
(def. Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj)
1998
Thailand Kaolan Kaovichit
(def. Samkor Chor.Rathchatasupak)
March 26, 1999
Thailand Khunsuk Phetsupaphan
(def. Kaolan Kaovichit)
August 10, 1999
The title was vacant as of April 1, 2000.
Thailand Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn
(def. Kaolan Kaovichit)
April 25, 2000
Namsaknoi vacated the title in 2006.
Thailand Sagadpet IngramGym
(def. Samranchai 96Peenang)
June 6, 2006
Sagadpet vacated the title in 2008.
Thailand Duangsompong Kor.Sapaothong
(def. Tuantong Phumpanmuang)
September 16, 2008
Thailand Kaew Fairtex
(def. Duangsompong Kor.Sapaothong)
March 21, 2009
Kaew vacated the title in 2009.
Thailand Sagetdao Petpayathai
(def. Saenchai Sor.Kingstar)
December 8, 2009
Thailand Petchboonchu FA Group
(def. Sagetdao Petpayathai)
June 4, 2010
Thailand Saenchai SinbeeMuaythai
(def. Petchboonchu FA Group)
October 5, 2010
Saenchai vacated the title in 2011.
Thailand Sagetdao Petpayathai
(def. Petchboonchu FA Group)
March 8, 2011
Thailand Petchboonchu FA Group
(def. Sagetdao Petpayathai)
July 7, 2011
Petchboonchu vacated the title in 2013.
Thailand Singdam Kiatmoo9
(def. Nong-O Kaiyanghadaogym)
June 8, 2012
Thailand Nong-O Kaiyanghadaogym
(def. Singdam Kiatmoo9)
June 7, 2013
Thailand Singdam Kiatmoo9
(def. Nong-O Kaiyanghadaogym)
July 12, 2013
Thailand Petchboonchu FA Group
(def. Singdam Kiatmoo9)
October 11, 2013
Petchboonchu vacated the title in 2014.
Thailand Pakorn Sakyothin
(def. Singdam Kiatmoo9)
February 28, 2014
Pakorn vacated the title in 2015.
Thailand Chujaroen Dabransarakarm
(def. Yodpanomrung Jitmuangnon)
September 4, 2015
Thailand Sittisak Petpayathai
(def. Chujaroen Dabransarakarm)
June 3, 2016
Sittisak vacated the title in 2017.
Thailand Yodlekpet Or. Pitisak
(def. Rambo Pet.Por.Tor.Or)
June 9, 2017
Yodlekpet vacated the title in 2018.
Thailand Kulabdam Sor.Jor.Piek-U-Thai
(def. Genji Umeno)
February 18, 2018
Kulabdam vacated the title in 2019.
Thailand Nuathoranee Samchaivisetsuk
(def. Sakchainoi M.U.Den) [19]
November 30, 2019
The title was retired in 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand Kanongsuk Gor.Kampanat
(def. Mathias Gallo Cassarino)
April 29, 2023

Super Welterweight Championship

Weight limit: 154 lb (69.9 kg)
Name Date Defenses
Thailand Harn Silathong
(def. Dechthai Ittichai)
1972
  • def. Dechthai Ittichai 1973
The title was later discontinued for decades due to the lack of competition at the weight.
Thailand Saiyok Pumpanmuang
(def. Farid Villaume)
February 26, 2010
Saiyok vacated the title in 2012.
Thailand Sirimongkol Sitanupap
(def. Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong)
October 20, 2015
Thailand Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong
(def. Sirimongkol Sitniwat)
February 16, 2016
  • def. Fahsura Windysport December 23, 2016
Yodpayak vacated the title in 2017.
Thailand Buakiew Sitsongpeenong
(def. Fahsura Windysport)
September 1, 2017
Buakiew vacated the title in 2018.
Thailand Talaytong Sor.Thanaphet
(def. Luis Cajaiba)
November 30, 2018
Talaytong vacated the title in 2019.
Thailand Capitan Petchyindee Academy
(def. Detrit Sathian Gym)
June 1, 2019
The title was retired in 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand Kongthailand Kiatnavy
(def. Luis Cajaiba)
May 6, 2023

Middleweight Championship

Weight limit: 160 lb (72.6 kg)
Name Date Defenses
Thailand Mekdam Lukchaofah
(def. Suchai Ketsongkram)
Inaugural champion.
Thailand 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.
Thailand Detchthai Ratchadet
(def. Chakkrit Rithanuman)
June 13, 1967
Thailand Narong Pitsanurachan
(def. )
1967
Thailand Narong Pitsanurachan (2)
(def. )
1969
The title was vacant as of January 1, 1978.
Thailand Satanfah Sor.Prateep
(def. Genshuu Igari)
April 7, 1978
Satanfah vacated the title in 1979.
Thailand Noppakaw SirilukMuaythai
(def. Erhan Gungor)
August 19, 2017
Noppakaw vacated the title in 2017.
Belgium Youssef Boughanem
(def. Talaytong Sor.Thanaphet)
May 22, 2018
Boughanem vacated the title in 2018.
France Jimmy Vienot
(def. Talaytong Sor.Thanaphet)
April 30, 2019
Thailand Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy
(def. Jimmy Vienot)
September 25, 2019

Super Middleweight Championship

Weight limit: 168 lb (76.2 kg)
Name Date Defenses
Thailand Kompikat Sor.Tawanrung
(def. Vianney Sépéroumal)
December 17, 2017
First and only champion of the division.

See also

References

  1. "Stadiums in Thailand". www.muaythaionline.org. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  2. "Last Ever Show At Old Lumpinee Stadium 8th February 2014" (Video). YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  3. "End of an era as Lumpini Boxing Stadium closes its doors on Friday". Phuket News.
  4. "New Lumpini Stadium". Muay Thai Focus. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  5. "History of Lumpinee". World Muay Thai Council. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
  6. "Executive Management; Board of Director". Lumpinee Muai Thai. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  7. Mallon, Scott. "Lumpini Stadium Turns Fifty". The Sweet Science. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  8. "Lumpini Stadium History". World Muay Thai Council. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  9. "Thailand reports 188 new coronavirus cases, brings total to nearly 600". Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  10. Boonbandit, Tappanai (26 March 2020). "ARMY ORDERS PROBE IN SUPER-SPREADER BOXING MATCH". Khaosod English. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  11. Prateepchaikul, Veera (30 March 2020). "Army's role in boxing a shady affair" (Opinion). Bangkok Post. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  12. Nanuam, Wassana (14 March 2020). "Army welfare chief has virus, 60 quarantined". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  13. "ยกเครื่อง สนามมวยลุมพินี ให้เอกชนทำเป็นครั้งแรกในรอบ 64 ปี". khaosod.co.th. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  14. "เขย่าสนาม : ก้าวย่างใหม่เวทีมวย 'ลุมพินี' 'รีแบรนด์' สู่ระดับนานาชาติ ประกาศล้างบางการพนัน!". matichonweekly.com. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  15. "นายสนามมวย "ลุมพินี" วอนสังคมเข้าใจ หลังกลับมาจัดมวยไทยอีกครั้งแบบปิด". thairath.co.th. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  16. "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.
  17. "Jade Ketley faces Apichat Fairtex in MMA card at Lumpinee". Asian MMA. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  18. "Jada Ketley submits Apidet Fairtex at Lumpinee Stadium". Asian MMA. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  19. ""ฝนพันล้าน"ถล่มหมัดน็อก"แจ๊ค"ที่ลุมพินี". dailynews.co.th. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
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