KAOKLAI KEANORASING
Interview of KAOKLAI KEANORASING by SERGE TREFEU (2006)
Hello Kaoklaï, how are you, well?
KAOKLAÏ KAENORASING: Yes, it’s going very well
How old are you ?
I am 23 years old
From which area of Thailand do come you ?
From Khon Kaen (Issan region). I was born there in the city of Khon Kaen
Many boxers of Jocky Gym come from the Issan region and above all from Khon Kaen ?
Yes, many come from Khon Kaen because Jocky Gym works with different camps in that area
When did you start Muay Thai and where ?
I started at 8 years in my area of Khon Kaen
Which boxing camp?
First with my father at the Muay Thai camp at the barracks where my father worked, then at the Kaennorasing Gym camp which was located in a small village near Khon Kaen
At what age did you come to Bangkok at Jocky Gym?
I was 11 years old and I’ve now been fighting for Jocky Gym for 12 years
How old were you when you made your first fight ?
At 9 years old, just a few months after starting, I lost my first match on points…
How many fight do you have ?
100 fights, 64 wins, 36 Losses.
You live in Jocky Gym ?
Yes, I live here, I share a room with several Boxers, with Chaowalit and Songkom
Are you still fighting in the K1 organization in Japan?
No, I haven’t fought there for 1 year already…
Which K1 boxers have you already met?
Alexy IGNASHOV (105 kg champion of K1 of Paris Bercy) win at the points, Ray SEFO (120 kg win already put K.O. LEBANNER) loss at the points, MUSHASHI (100 kg) loss at points, Mighty MO (130 kg very strong puncher) win by K.O. with the 1st round, CHONG HONG MAY (2m20 and 140 kg) loss at points and Mike BERNADO (110 kg and 2m) loss at points…
Your usual weight category is -74 kg, how much do you currently weigh?
77 kg.
That’s a bit light weight to fight in the K1 heavyweight circuit, are you like “David against Goliath”?
Yes (Laughs). I’m the lightest on the circuit; the K1 heavyweight boxers all weigh over 100 kg. It’s quite dangerous for me to face them; if I take a good right to the face, ouch! ouch!
Do you know Mike Tyson? I hear he’s coming to the K1 circuit, would you like to fight him?
No, he’ll bite my ear (Laughs)
You prefer to fight in K1 or in Thailand ?
In Japan, the purses are much larger, but it’s more dangerous…
In 2004, you won the K1 Heavyweight tournament in Seoul, Korea, is that a good memory?
Yes, a great memory! I beat two Japanese guys who weighed over 100 kg and I knocked out a Canadian fighter!
The following year, I reached the final of the K1 Heavyweight tournament again, but I had to face the Korean giant Hong Mai (2.20m), that was more complicated for me (Laughs), I lost on points…
Do you know any French fighters?
Yes, I know SKARBOWSKY, NIKIEMA, and DANNY BILL well; they train at Jocky Gym
Would you like to fight in FRANCE ?
Normally, I’m going to fight in France on March 3rd, it’s my first time going to that country, I don’t know who my opponent will be…
You will soon be fighting at the Radja stadium for the Radja belt in the 160 lbs category against the reigning champion “LAMSONGKRAM” (At the beginning of January, Lamsongkram was KO’d in the 1st round by SKARBOWSKY), do you know him?
Yes, Lamsongkram is my friend
You have no problem fighting against a friend?
No, no problem, we’re professionals, we often fight amongst ourselves in Thailand…
Have you ever fought against Lamsongkram?
Yes, I beat him by KO three years ago!
Have you ever been a champion at the Radja stadium?
Yes, I won two belts. At 19 years, I beat Charnvit Kiat Tor Bor Ubon for the Rajadamnern Stadium title in the -67 kg category in 2001. And in 2002, I won the Rajadamnern Stadium belt in the -70 kg category, beating Chalermsak Chuwatthana
Do you know the French champion Farid VILLAUME who is currently the world champion in your category?
No, I don’t know much the foreign fighters…
What is your favourite dish ?
Kai Yang and Som Tam of the dishes of Isaan (grilled chicken and spiced papaya salad)
Kaoklaï, khop khoun maak lae chook dii samrap tchok khong khoun (thank you very much and good luck for your fight).
Kaoklai lost his fight against Lamsongkram on points, who retained his Rajadamnern Stadium title. The match was hard-fought and the decision very close.
This phenomenal fighter is the first Thai to have knocked out a 130 kg opponent while weighing only 75 kg himself!
KAOKLAÏ KAENNORASING
Height: 1m76
Weight: between 72 and 76kg
TEAM: JOCKY GYM
Number of fights : 100. 64 wins and 36 losses
Titles: Radja Champion in – 67 Kg (2001) and in – 70 Kg (2002), Champion of K1 heavy in SEOUL (2004)