INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION NUENGTRAKAN POR MUANG UBON, NICKNAME “THE GIANT BOXER OF UBON,” WINNER OF THE STARS JOHN WAYNE PARR, RAYEN SIMSON, MORAD SARI, HASSAN ETTAKI, OLE LAURSEN, AND CHRISTIAN GARROS

Temps de lecture : 8 minutes

INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPION NUENGTRAKAN POR MUANG UBON, NICKNAME “THE GIANT BOXER OF UBON,” WINNER OF THE STARS JOHN WAYNE PARR, RAYEN SIMSON, MORAD SARI, HASSAN ETTAKI, OLE LAURSEN, AND CHRISTIAN GARROS!
by Serge TREFEU (2025)

Hello Nuengtrakarn, how are you?

Very well, thank you!

How old are you today?

I’m 47 years old

Where are you from in Thailand?

I’m from the Ubon Ratchathani region, more precisely from the village of Ban Lai Sung, in the northeast of the country

What were your parents’ occupations?

My parents were farmers

Do you have any brothers and sisters?

Yes, there are four of us in the family. I’m the third. I have an older sister, an older brother, and a younger brother

Did your brothers practice boxing like you?

Yes, both of my brothers boxed. I come from a family of boxers: my father and uncle were also boxers

Was your father a former boxer?

Yes, he fought a lot

Did he fight in the stadiums of Bangkok?

No, only in the provincial stadiums

Was it your father who introduced you to Muay Thai?

Yes, he was my first trainer. He was the one who taught me the basics of Muay Thai

At what age did you begin your boxing training?

I started around the age of 13 years

Did you start out in a boxing camp?

First at home with my father. Then I went to Master Koson Buasri’s Sor Wilai boxing camp. I fought under the name Dai Nueng Sor Wilai. Then my father took me to Master Phot Wongmuangchan’s Por Muang Ubon camp, where I took the fighter name “Nuengtrakan Por Muang Ubon.” I’ve spent my entire career at this camp

Were there champions in this Por Muang Ubon camp?

Yes, many! It was the most renowned camp in the region. There were Nung Ubon, Orono, Sak Ubon, Khuen Pak Mun, Phet Phuphan, and many others…

At what age did you have your first fight in a Bangkok stadium?

At 16 years, I had my first fight at the Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok

Did you fight a lot in Bangkok’s stadiums?

Yes, I fought a lot at Lumpinee Stadium, I don’t remember exactly how many times. And at Radja Stadium, I fought six fights

Did you also often fight at the famous King’s Birthday Show, held on December 5th in Bangkok?

Yes, I fought five times at that event!

What weight category did you fight in?

-67 kg, then later -72 kg

Did you win a belt in a Bangkok stadium?

In 1999, I faced Frenchman Stephane Nikiema for the Lumpinee -67 kg belt. The fight ended in a no contest by the referee… There was no winner, no loser…
In 2002, I fought for the Radja stadium belt in -72 kg against Duan Issan Kiatsarika, but he beat me on points…

Have you fought for a world title?

Yes. In 1998, I won a world title in Australia against Englishman Chris Allen, who had previously knocked out Australian star John Wayne Parr.
In 2002, I won the WMC world title in Macau against Chinese Sanda world champion Yuan Yu Bao, whom I defeated by knockout.
I also fought for world titles several times without winning them, notably against Stephane Nikiema in Bangkok in 1998, against Perry Ubeda in Holland in 2000, and against Mohammed Magomedov in Hong Kong in 2005

How many fights have you had in your career?

I don’t count my fights in the provinces; I don’t remember the exact number…
But in the big stadiums of Bangkok and abroad, I fought 90 fights, with 70 wins and 20 losses

Have you often fought abroad?

Yes, a lot! I loved traveling and fighting in different countries. I fought four times in Australia, three times in Japan, three times in China, three times in France, twice in Holland, as well as in Italy, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovakia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong!

Have you participated in many major tournaments in your career?

I took part in the biggest tournaments of the time: the famous S1 tournament, the King’s Birthday Tournament in Bangkok, as well as several prestigious tournaments organized abroad, notably in France

Who are some of the famous Thai fighters you’ve faced?

I’ve faced many great champions like Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj (2 losses), Wanlop Sitpholek (2 wins), Thaweesap Sitsaeng-Arun (1 loss), Yoddecha Sityodtong (2 wins, 1 loss), Dejpitak Sityodtong (2 wins), Duan Issan Kiatsarika (1 win, 1 loss), Suriya Sor Ploenchit (win), Pramuanrit Sitkriangkrai (win), Kaolan Kaowichit (loss), Phothai Sor Pattanachai (win)

And among the foreign champions?

I faced many famous names such as Christian Garros (2 wins), Farid Villaume (loss), John Wayne Parr (3 wins, 1 loss), Rayen Simson (win), Morad Sari (2 wins, 1 loss), Stephane Nikiema (1 loss, 1 no contest), Perry Ubeda (loss), Ole Laursen (win), Riadh Rekhis (win), Hassan Ettaki (win)

Have you met Australian star John Wayne Parr several times?

Yes, we faced each other four times, and he was a very tough opponent. The first time, I beat him on points at Lumpinee Stadium in 1997 or 1998 (I don’t remember the exact year). I beat him again at Lumpinee, but this time by referee stoppage due to a leg injury. The third time was in 2002 in Paris, in the quarterfinals of the “Grand Tournoi,” and I beat him on points. Our last match was in 2004, in the final of the S1 tournament at Radja Stadium, and he beat me on points. Today, we are good friends

You’ve also faced French champion Morad Sari (Lumpinee champion) several times?

We’ve fought three times, and he’s a very technical boxer. The first time was in Paris in 2002 for the semi-finals of the “Grand Tournoi,” where I beat him by TKO in the second round. We met again on December 5th at the King Birthday show in Bangkok, and I beat him on points. For our third fight, in 2003 in Paris, he beat me on points in the quarter-finals of the “Grand Tournoi,” a tournament he won that year

What was the toughest fight of your career?

The worst injury of my life occurred during a “Grand Tournoi” in France. I had to fight three very difficult fights in one night. In the quarterfinals, I beat John Wayne Parr on points in three rounds. Then, in the semifinals, I defeated Morad Sari by TKO in the second round.
For the third match, in the tournament final, I faced an extremely powerful French opponent (Alain Zankifo, world champion in kickboxing and savate). He was a puncher whose punches hurt a lot; he had knocked out his two previous opponents and he knocked me out in the third round…
After that fight, I suffered a severe concussion. I felt dizzy and vomited, and the pain led to several hospitalizations. For almost a year I had to take medication for my brain and I couldn’t fight for six months because I often had severe dizziness…

And your best memory as a fighter?

My best memory is winning the WMC world title in Macau. That night, there were six Thai fighters competing in the show, and I was the only one to win my fight, in addition to capturing the world title!

Who was your promoter at the time?

In Thailand, my promoter was Mr. Songchai Ratanasuban, and abroad, it was Mr. Sami Khebchi

What was your purse?

My biggest purse was one million baht for a tournament in France. In Macau, I received 500,000 baht, and in Thailand, I fought several times for a purse of 100,000 baht!

Who do you think are the Muay Thai fighters who have left their mark on the history of this sport in Thailand?

I would say, for Thais, master Samart Payakaroon, and for foreigners, the Dutchman Ramon Dekkers!

After boxing, did you become a coach?

Yes, I worked abroad as a coach: one year in Dubai, one year in China, one year in Australia, two years in Singapore, two years in Indonesia, and now I’ve been working in Qatar for three years.

I also have a Muay Thai camp in Ubon Ratchathani province, where I collaborate with my partner, champion Lamnamoon Sor Sumalee, when I return to Thailand

Is Muay Thai well developed in Qatar?

There are many people who study Muay Thai and own gyms, but they generally don’t fight competitively. I teach military cadets at a military camp in Qatar

What do you think of today’s Muay Thai fighters?

The level of Muay Thai fighters is very good, but it’s not like it used to be. In my day, you really had to be the best to win a championship. You had to be number 1 or number 2 to be able to compete for a title, and winning a major championship was extremely difficult. Today, anyone can win a championship, whether in Thailand or abroad… it’s nothing like the 80s, 90s, and 2000s…

Thank you very much for the interview!

Thank you for thinking of my fighting career again

Born into a family passionate about boxing, Nuengtrakan discovered Muay Thai as a child under the guidance of his father. He took his first steps at the Sor Wilai camp, led by master Koson Buasri (Ajarn Sonthidet Mitphakdee), under the fighter name Dai Nueng Sor Wilai. After about twenty fights in the districts of Trakan and the surrounding area, his talent attracted attention.

His journey then took him to the Por Muang Ubon camp, founded by Phot Wongmuangchan, where he benefited from the supervision of renowned trainers such as Lertchai Sor Petch Ubon (Pa Aeng), Fah Mongkol Sit Fa Sai (A. Fa) and Jockey Lek Sor Petch Ubon (A. Jockey). This is where it definitively adopted the name Nuengtrakan Por Muang Ubon.

The Por Muang Ubon boxing camp is considered one of the most famous in Ubon Ratchathani province. Its founder, Ajarn Phot Wongmuangchan, was highly regarded by Ubon residents for his kindness and generosity. He actively supported the Ubon boxing scene and worked to promote it in other provinces.
Ajarn Phot and his son, Mr. Nopporn Wongmuangchan, personally looked after the camp’s fighters.

Nuengtrakan was a true warrior of the ring, having fought approximately 180 professional fights. He established himself as a feared boxer with an impressive physique and the appearance of an ancient warrior. His robustness and strength earned him a reputation and the nickname “Ubon’s Giant Boxer”!

Nuengtrakan faced many great champions of his time such as Sangtiannoi (Radja champion, Lumpinee champion), Wanlop Sitpholek (world champion), Dejphithak Sityodtong (Lumpinee champion), Yoddecha Sityodtong (world champion), Kaolan Kaowichit (Lumpinee champion), Duan Issan Kiatsarika (Radja champion), Suriya Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee champion), Phothai Sor Pattanachai (Radja champion), and many others…

His career also took him to international rings, where his charisma and power captivated spectators, particularly in Europe, where he became one of the most highly regarded Thai fighters, especially for his performances in major tournaments.
In 1997, in Thailand, Nuengtrakan defeated the solid Frenchman Christian Garros on points, whom he had already faced the previous year in a very close match in which oddsmakers predicted the Frenchman would win. The following year, he dominated the robust Wanlop at Lumpinee Stadium, then put on a fine performance, twice defeating Australian John Wayne Parr, a future icon of world Muay Thai.
That same year, he scored a prestigious victory against the formidable Dutch puncher Rayen Simson, and won a world title against Englishman Chris Allen before losing on December 5th to Frenchman Stephane Nikiema for a world title in the -67 kg category at the King’s Birthday show in Bangkok.

In 1999, Nuengtrakan defeated champion Pramuanrit Sitkriangkrai at the Lumpinee stadium. On May 8 of the same year, he fought a memorable fight against Frenchman Stephane Nikiema for the Lumpinee -67 kg title. The decision, considered highly controversial against the French champion, is still considered one of the greatest injustices in the history of Muay Thai…

After a defeat in Holland against Perry Ubeda for a world title in 2000, Nuengtrakan came back in force in 2001. That year, he beat two prestigious champions: Suriya Sor Ploenchit (Lumpinee champion) and Duan Issan Kiatsarika (Radja champion).

On December 5, 2001, during the famous “Grand Tournament” organized in Bangkok by the French promoter Sami Khebchi and the Thai promoter Songchai Ratanasuban, he impressed by first eliminating the Dutch champion Hassan Ettaki by KO in the first round, then by beating the French puncher, Riadh Rekhis on points. Qualified for the grand final in Paris, he became one of the favorites of the competition.

In 2002, Nuengtrakan confirmed his status as an international star. On May 4, he won a WMC world title by knocking out Chinese Sanda world champion Yuan Yu Bao in Macau. Then, on July 6, in France, in the immense Paris Bercy stadium, he had an impressive run in the famous “Grand Tournoi” with a victory over John Wayne Parr in the quarterfinals, then a resounding TKO victory over French star Morad Sari in the semifinals. But in the final, he lost a heavy knockout to French puncher Alain Zankifo, after a fight of rare intensity.

A few months later, at the King’s Birthday show in Bangkok on December 5th, after six months without a fight, he faced Morad Sari again, whom he defeated on points after a fierce battle.
In 2003, Nungtrakan again participated in the “Grand Tournoi” in Paris. Facing Morad Sari in the quarterfinals, he lost on points. Morad Sari would go on to reach the end of the competition, defeating Riadh Rekhis in the final.

At the end of the year, on December 5, during the S1 tournament in Bangkok, Nuengtrakan was knocked out by another Frenchman, the formidable puncher Farid Villaume.
In 2004, Nuengtrakan was featured in the prestigious S1 World Tournament at the Radja Stadium in Bangkok. The event brought together eight international champions: John Wayne Parr (Australia), Jean-Charles Skarbowsky (France), Ole Laursen (Denmark), Magnum Sakai (Japan), Mohammed Magomedov (Russia), Petro Polak (Czech Republic), Suriya Sor Ploenchit (Thailand), and Nuengtrakan (Thailand). Nuengtrakan defeated Denmark’s Olé Laursen on points in the quarterfinals, then knocked out Japan’s Magnum Sakai in the semifinals. But in the final, he came up against his old rival John Wayne Parr, who won on points and took the trophy and the million baht prize.

The following year, in 2005, Nuengtrakan fought his final fight on September 9th in Hong Kong. Facing Russian puncher Mohammed Magomedov for a world title in the -76 kg category, he lost by knockout in the first round. It was the end of a long career, rich in fights against the biggest names of his generation!
After his career ended, Nuengtrakan pursued his passion for teaching his skills by becoming a Muay Thai instructor abroad. He also distinguished himself by breeding fighting cocks in his native Thailand, a tradition that earns him considerable sums of money.
Today, Nuengtrakan continues to teach his art in Qatar, perpetuating the memory and expertise of the warriors of the Ubon Ratchathani rings!

NUENGTRAKAN POR MUANG UBON

Real Name: Prapan Dinthong

Nickname: “The Giant Boxer of Ubon”

Date of Birth: February 21, 1977

Hometown: Ban Lai Sung Village, Lai Thung Subdistrict, Trakan Phuet Phon District, Ubon Ratchathani Province (Thailand)

Weight: 67-72 kg

Height: 1.78 m

Number of Fights: 90. 70 Wins. 20 Losses

Titles: World Champion in -67 kg (1998), World Champion in -70 kg (2002)

Team: POR MUANG UBON GYM