RAFI “SINGPATONG” BOHIC
INTERVIEW OF RAFI “SINGPATONG” BOHIC
By Serge TREFEU (2016)
SERGE TREFEU: Hello Rafi, how are you?
RAFI: Hello very well, thank
You grew up in which place of France?
I was born in Havre, I stayed there until my 9 years. Then, I was in Reims during 4 years. To arrive to the South of Rennes
Towards what age you began the boxing?
In 16 years I joined in the only gym of boxing (French Savate) of my city. There was only a leisure, no fighters. I was not necessarily very diligent, I trained for it 2, 3 times a week. In 17 years, I had a scooter and I was able to join in Muay Thai in the city nearby. Love at first sight for this sport, I trained every evening of the week with passion
How old are you today?
I’m 24 years old today
You’re married, you have children?
I have no children, I’m with my girlfriend (Thai) for 3 and a half years but I’m still not married
How you discovered this sport and what attracted you towards the Thai boxing?
I always liked well the boxing and the combat sports, the teenager I liked to look at the videos of Ramon Dekkers, Buakaw, Yodsaenklai. K-1 at the time of Le Banner and U.F.C. The fights of Boxing as those of Joe Frazzier, Mike Tyson, Manny Paquiao…
What attracted me in Muay Thaï it’s the almost total freedom of standing fight, what it’s wrestling as percussion
You practised other sports before the boxing?
Before the boxing I made full of sports. A little of soccer and judo when I was a little child, then I made of the skateboard, BMX, VTT, motocross, but never the competitions before Muay Thaï…
In what gym you began the Thai boxing and with which professor?
I began Muay Thaï with Stéphane Pérrin from Chôkdeegym of Rennes, I always followed him by the Cavana Muay Thai to the Khaï Muay Thai before he creates Chôkdeegym. It’s him who took me in Thailand for the first time
What champions there was in this gym?
When I trained in Rennes around us there were always classes A and B for sparring as Carl N’ Diaye, Hamish Willey, Mael and Lukas Lemarchand, Alban Cogrel, Ifig Guillemain, Yvonick Hubert, Steve Mauguet, Kevin and Ronan Lemoy
You were inspired by champions of Muay Thai, French or Thai, for the continuation of your career?
I was inspired always by top Thai as well as the pure French champions Muay Thai who made their end of way on the boxing rings of Thailand
In what year you left for the first time for Thailand, how it it passed your first adventures in Thailand, which were your sensations in this country?
I left for Thailand for the first time in 2009 with my trainer of Rennes Stephane Pérrin as well as boxer’s team. We trained at the same time and we made tourist activities. I had really appreciated this journey. And my sensation was to want to return as quickly as possible in Thailand…
Except Muay Thai what you prefer most in Thailand?
In Thailand, I like my lifestyle, the enjoys life that there is, the climate, the sensation of freedom, the ease has to find of the good food at any time, wherever, without any difficulty
You interests you in the Thai culture?
I’m not interested in the culture Thai, nor in his story, but I know their customs and I communicate in their language rather easily
In what camp you were to train in Thailand?
I trained two weeks for the camp Fairtex in 2009. Then, to the camp Singpatong to Phuket where I’m at present
THE OWNER OF CAMP SINGPATONG MR. SOMNUK PATBUREE (NUM NOÏ) IS PROUD OF HIS FIGHTER
What are the champions with whom you trains within the camp Singpatong?
I was lucky to train me during two years with Damien Alamos (Lumpinee Champion, World champion WMC, WPMF), Penake Sitnumnoï (Lumpinee Champion, TV7 Champion, Omnoi Champion, Thailand Champion, World champion WPMF, ” Best boxers of the year ” in 2011) and Penthaï Singpatong (Lumpinee Champion, TV7 Champion)!
THE CAMP SINGPATONG IS A CAMP OF CHAMPIONS
Do you live in the camp, you can tell us a little your daily in Thailand, training and Thai leisure?
I sleep in the camp two weeks before the fights. I’m allowed between 3 and 5 rest days after the fights where I spend time with my wife. Because when we train twice a day with the Thai climate we need a lot of sleep and we have much less social life…
TRAINING IN CAMP SINGPATONG
RAFI IS AT HOME IN CAMP SINGPATONG, IT’S NOW PART OF THE FAMILY OF SINGPATONG
It makes how long that you are installed in Thailand?
I moved to Phuket in September, 2012
How much you made of fights until today?
I made 62 fights for 55 victories
Did you gain many fights by KO?
I gained 25 victories by KO
What technique you most like placing in a fight and which fighter’s style you are?
I’m known to be Muay Bouk (Fighter who moves forward) on the difficult fights having a big left fist, a good removal of the bust and a hard clinch, heavy and stifling…
How much you have make of fights in Thailand?
I made 45 fights in Thailand
What are the known Thai whom you faced?
I faced the South champion in 154 lbs Chalamkraw, former champion of Radja Saeng Athit (Boo) Sasiprapa, star Saenchai PK Saenchai gym, the former champion of Radja and TV7 Rungrath Naratrikul, the recent champion of Lumpinee Saen Parunchaï (Formerly Kangkenlek SBP Car Network), Dawprakaï Sor sommai, former champion of Radja Sangfah Silalaï (Formerly Famichaï FA Group), Changpuak Sor Keaw Suek, Payak- Samui Lukjaoporongtom (Formerly Jingreedtong SeaTransfery), Kong Samui (Formerly Saengsak), the former champion of Radja Jom Kitty, former Lumpinee champion Jaknalonglek Tor Silachai, the current champion of Radja in 154 lbs Nawee Eagle Muay Thai, Dejteewada Sitikoon (The brother of the current champion TV7 in 140 lbs Ritteewada), Inseetong Por Pinapat, the champion of the tournament Fooktiengroup 145 lbs 2016 Faïpa Sor Nalongrit, the current Omnoi stadium champion in 147 lbs Sibmoen Sit ChefBoontam and Senkeng Kiatjaroenchaï
You have already fought in two big stadiums of Bangkok, Lumpinee and Radja, how it passed your impressions?
I have once already fought in the old stadium of Lumpinee and three times in the new stadium of Lumpinee. As well as six times in the stadium of Omnoï, I have still never fought in the stadium of Radja. We cannot really have of better sensations than in the stadiums of Bangkok, the atmosphere is really too good because public consists of 90 % of connoisseurs who play some money thus they support completely the boxers on whom they bet. It’s really the fire!
RAFI IS A REGULAR OF THAI STADIUMS
In 2015, you participated in the important tournament “Fooktien Group” (Tournament N° 13) which takes place every year in the stadium of Omnoi, you beat Jaknaronglek Tor Silachai (N°5 Omnoi), Navi Eaglemuaythai (N° 6 Omnoi, Current champion of the Radja) by KO, Dechteewada Sitikul by KO and Inseetong Por Pinnapat (N°2 Omnoi), you lose in finale, on February 20th, 2016, in front of N°1 of the stadium of Omnoi, Faïpa Sor Narongrit who takes away this tournament, little foreigner had the honor to participate in the tournament Fooktien Group, what has he missed according to you to get to take this important belt in Thailand?
For finale of the tournament Fooktiengroup 13 against Faïpa, I lose the round 3, my quotation in public was 1 against 3 at this moment there. Then, I gain the round 4 widely, my quotation passed downright in 5 against 1, at the end of the round all my corner jumped everywhere, it was the fire. I manage the round 5 by moving back, by blocking his knocks and blocking him with clinch. At the end of the fight, my corner and everything the bettors who supported me are too happy until the moment of the decision where all this world passed of the laughter in tear. In this kind of tournament where there are big fees in game (500 000 baths for the winner, thanks to the sponsors) it’s not obvious for Farang (Foreigner) to be put winner…
THE PROTAGONIST OF TOURNAMENT VERY LEVEL FOOKTIEN GROUP 13
On March 26th, 2016, you fought against Sibmoen Sitchefboonthum for the belt of the stadium of Omnoi in 147 lbs, after a match of madness, in the fourth round, the referee asks to the doctor to stop the fight because you had an eye on a bad wound, you think that you could continue the fight and change the situation to take away this precious belt (Until today the only foreigner to have become a champion of Omnoi is the great champion Youssef Boughanem)?
After the decision moot against Faïpa, I wanted to leave no luck with Sibmoen to finish the fight (Error from me), I arrived in the fight the really too hot heart, sending my punches generously and by putting him a constant pressure except that, in Muay Thaï we have no elbow pads to protect itself from cuts (Laughter).
I makes me open once to the first round, later it was too late, more question to back off, I could not more than move forward and wage war to him. In the second round, he opens me again. In the third round, I exhaust him, the steamroller is started. For the fourth round, I begin seriously has to go back up except that the referee makes me visit third time the doctor at ringside to verify wounds and he asks him to stop the fight. According to me, he would have been able to let me finish the fight or directly stop me in the second round, seen that in the third and fourth round I had no other wounds…
At the beginning of May, in the stadium of Lumpinee, you have just beaten by KO Senkeng Kiatjaroenchai , your purpose in Thailand is to manage take down a belt of an important stadium?
Yes indeed able to have a belt of a stadium of Bangkok would be really good, afterward I would like to remain to train me in Thailand and fight in the big events all over the world
What was your hardest fight so far?
My hardest fight so far was in made the accumulation of three fights in the evening, during a tournament in 8 in the Bangla stadium of Phuket. Only four months before this tournament, I was only one class B in France, before this tournament I made six fights in Thailand of which one in the stadium of Lumpinee. To return to the tournament there, I made 9 rounds of madness there, of the intense war and I gained him. It’s also my best memory because it’s there that I was able to see what I had in the guts, at the exit of the boxing ring my face had set 15 years of old man, my body trembled with fatigue. I had really pushed this evening there my body in limit extremes…
My worst memory it has to be the next day (Laughter). I had no more ankle for bounded the calf of the foot. And I feel like passing my head in a microwave (Laughter).
My worst memory also on the boxing ring passed to Koh Samui where of the 1st in the 5eme round I had no strength, I managed to make nothing. I suffered the match during 5 round…
Have you another best memory of boxing?
My other BEST MEMORY is to have fought Saenchaï (Best boxer of year 1999 and 2008) and it only 10 months having arrived in Thailand, is 10 months having left the classes B. Furthermore, I had made a great performance, I think of being far from being a boaster, being this very, little not Thai boxer can praise it having fought Saenchaï to have made the performanc which I made this day there. I was very suspicious two and three first ones round but round four and five I threw many of kicks which passed as many!
You gained several titles in Thailand, you can speak to us about it?
I have at first after four months only in Thailand gained a tournament at 8 to the Bangla Stadium of Phuket (Tournament Muay Thai Fury). After nine months, I gained world champion WMC’s belt in 140 lbs (Win on points against the Uzbek Anvar Boynazarov, on April 28th, 2013), at the same moment (The fight just after) as Damien Alamos when he gained the same belt WMC in 135 lbs.
After 18 months, I gained the belt Max Muay Thai silver in 67 kg, in semi-final against the former champion of the Radja Sangfah Silalaï and in finale against a Chinese named Guo Dongwang!
WORLD CHAMPION WMC
TOURNAMENT CHAMPION MAX MUAY THAI SILVER BELT
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What are for you the strongest champions in your current category?
The best in my category right now for me are Ridteewada Sitikoon, Yodwicha Kemmuaythai, Simanut Sor Sirinya, Satanfa Sor Boonkong, Manasak Sor Jor Lekmuangnont, Pakorn P.K Saenchaï, Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai, Faïpa Sor Nalonglit, Jaisoo Sor Jor Piekuthai, Por Tor Thor Phetrungruang, Sensatan P.K. Saenchai…
I wish all face up crescendo best of the best!
You affect good purses now in Thailand?
At present my purse of fight in the stadiums of Bangkok is of minimum 40 000 bahts. Here, it’s very hard and long to arrive at that in stadiums, it amounts to 4 times the average net salary…
For what promoter you fights in Thailand?
Chun Kietpetch is the promoter with whom works the Singpatong camp, however I do not have personally a contract with him…
RAFI SINGPATONG A POSTER PROMOTIONS OF THE BIGGEST PROMOTER OF LUMPINEE CHUN KIETPETCH
On May 27th, 2016, you are going to fight in the big event Best Of Siam 8 which will be exceptionally organized in the stadium of Radja in Bangkok, you are going to meet Aranchai Pran 26 (Current World champion WBC) for the belt WBC in 140 lbs, you know your opponent?
Yes it will be my first time in Radja, I know my opponent, he has many experiences, he likes putting the pressure and he has a good clinch, I think of having a chance
What represents for you this event organized by the former great champion Jean-Charles Skarbowsky and Hakim Didda, the BOS 8?
For me the Best of Siam is the biggest event and the most purist of Muay Thai in France. This time, it takes place in Rajadamnern what is going to make even more purist the event, that is going to take place in rules Full Muay Thaï, weighing at dawn that very day of the fight, no elbow pads, no arbitrators nor the coming judges of all boxes possible and conceivable feet-fist. Because Muay Thai is not that a boxing it’s also a wrestling standing, not comparable to the diverse boxing feet-fists…
What is that you knew the fight’s record of Skarbowsky, would like you to make a career as him in Thailand and to write down your name in the story of Muay Thai?
I don’t know Jean-Charles Skarbowsky’s exact record, in Thailand in the world of the boxing everybody knows Skarbowsky, I know that he stayed for a very long time n°1 of the ranking of Rajadamnern (5 years if I do not make a mistake). Yes that would be magic, we go to see in the course of the fights how I gets out of it to me (Laughter)
What are your objectives for 2016?
I have no real objective if it’s not to improve me again and again and to be a part of big level of Muay Thai in my category, to be a member of names which often stand out when that speaks about Muay Thai…
You want to add anything?
One big thank you Serge and to Siamfightmag for giving me the speech in this quality interview
Thank you very much Rafi for this interview and I wish you CHOOKDEE for your fight of May 27th!
Rafi is a member of the last adventurers of boxing rings, become very rare, who make their career in the Kingdom of the Siam by facing the best Thai fighters of the moment. Step by step, he makes his way by standing out hard in the Thai circuit and for two years his ascent is lightning. Today, he begins to be very highly-rated in Thailand because his combative and aggressive style pleases enormously the bettors. When the machine starts up, this boxer with the imperturbable, impassive face, is as a steamroller which crushes his opponents, his fighter’s nickname could “Yeuakyen Bot” (Impassive Crushing)!
RAFI IS GENEROUS BOXER IN THE RING DOES NOT HESITATE TO ENGAGE IN BATTLE OF VIOLENT, HIS INJURY WARS OF RINGS INDICATES THE TERRIBLE CONFRONTATIONS
Rafi has already met the cream of the current champions, he ended in a draw against formidable Rungrat Naratrikul (Radja Champion, TV7 Champion, World champion WMC), he beat by KO one of the best current champions, Saen Parunchai, who took away the belt of Lumpinee in 126 lbs in 2015 and who is one of the rare fighters to have beaten twice the superstar Phanpayak, Rafi also beat by KO the current champion of the Radja in 154 lbs Nawee Eagle Muay Thai, he also overcame Jaknalonglek Tor Silachaï (Lumpinee Champion) in points, Sangfah Silalaï (Radja Champion) by KO, Dejteewada Sitikoon (The brother of the current champion TV7 in 140 lbs Ritteewada) by KO, Seangsakda Lookbanyai by stop of the arbitrator and in points in Kard Chuek (Without gloves), Fahmankol Sitparnsak (N°8 TV7) in points, Kompetch Lukjaomaesaiwaree by KO, Nakornsri Elite Fight Club by KO, Senkeng Kiatjaroenchaï by KO, Inseetong Por Pinnapat (N°2 Omnoi) in points, Moo Chalamkraw (Champion of the South) in points!
RAFI SINGPATONG IS NOW OFTEN IN THE THAI SPECIALIZED MAGAZINES
The latest fights of “Yeuakyen Bot” Rafi Singpatong:
2015
On September 5, in stadium Omnoi, he beat in points Jaknalonglek Tor Silachai
On 3 October, in stadium Omnoi, he defeated by knockout in the third round Nawee Eagle Muay Thai
On October 31, in stadium Omnoi, he defeated by knockout in the third round Dejteewada Sitikoon
On December 26, in stadium Omnoi, he beat in points Inseetong Por Pinnapat
2016
On February 20, in stadium Omnoi, for the final tournament Fooktien Group, he loses on points against Faïpa Sor Narongrit
On March 26, in stadium Omnoi, for the stadium of Omnoi belt in 147 lbs, he lost by referee stoppage against Sibmean Sitchefboonthum
On 3 May, in stadium of Lumpinee, he defeated by knockout in the third round Senkeng Kiatjaroenchai
RAFI “SINGPATONG” BOHIC
Birthday: July 9, 1991
Weight: 63 Kg – 65 Kg
Number of fight: 62. 55 Wins (25 KO). 7 Losses
Title: World Champion WMC in – 63 Kg 500 (2013), Tournament Winner Muay Thai Fury (2013), Tournament Winner Max Muay Thai Silver (2014)
Team: SINGPATONG GYM AND CHOK DEE GYM
WIN BY KO AGAINST CURRENT CHAMPION OF RADJA IN 154 LBS NAWEE EAGLE MUAY THAI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXMg9cy2cBE
FIGHT AGAINST SIBMEAN SITCHEFBOONTHUM FOR THE BELT OF OMNOI STADIUM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wng8iSNjQKU