PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM
PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM
Special report
by Serge TREFEU (2019)
(Thanks to Frederic Jean and Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu)
The Petchrungruang Gym is one of the oldest Pattaya camps with the famous Sityodtong. This gym is located in the south of Pattaya, not far from the “Paint Ball Park” in Sukhumvit Road at Soi Sukhumvit-Pattaya 50 which is just after the “Heavy Duty” building.
The gym was founded in 1986 by Bamrung Petchrungruang, now 70 years old, he’s still in the camp to give valuable advice to boxers.
In the 1980s, you had to cross a small forest to get to the gym that was in the middle of the woods, instead of the camp, there was a farm. The farm belonged to the founder of the gym Master Bamrung Petchrungruang. Today, the camp is surrounded by buildings and roads that have been built considerably in Pattaya. But the camp has been in the same place for 33 years.
At the time, very few boxing camps in Thailand agreed to train foreign fighters. The first foreigner to train at the Petchrungruang Gym was the Frenchman Frederic Jean in 1987.
THE PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM IN 1987. FREDERIC JEAN (SHORT ORANGE) IS WITH THE FOUNDER OF THE CAMP AND THE YOUNG BOXERS OF THE TIME
FREDERIC JEAN MET HIS THAI FRIENDS AT THE PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM 30 YEARS AFTER THEIR FIRST MEETING
THE STRUCTURE OF THE PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM AND THE DISTRICT WHERE THE CAMP IS FINALLY CHANGED SINCE 1986
The first fighters of the Petchrungruang Gym were the sons of Bamrung Petchrungruang, Anurak Petchrungruang and Amarin Petchrungruang.
Anurak fought under the name of Witsanuchai Petchrungruang, in the 1990s, he won second place in a major tournament at the Lumpinee stadium. He won a belt for that second place at the Lumpinee. Witsanuchai did 90 fights but after an injury, he had to retrain as a coach. His coaching name is Khru Nu and he’s the current head coach of Petchrungruang Gym, he’s now 46 years old. His son Thongchai is now a fighter of the Petchrungruang Gym.
KHRU NU
KHRU NU TO KICK PADS TRAINING
Witsanuchai’s big brother, Amarin, was also a good boxer. After his fighting career, he coached the camp under the name of Khru Nok. Unfortunately, this great coach died in August 2019…
KHRU NOK
Khru Nu is assisted in the training of Khru Den and former Italian champion Filippo Cinti.
Khru Den, who is now over 60, comes every afternoon to the Petchrungruang Gym to help train young fighters. In his youth, Khru Den has fought several times in the great stadiums of Bangkok, he has a great experience as a coach and trainer of boxer.
KRHU DEN IS A GOOD COACH
Filippo Cinti arrived at the Petchrungruang Gym for the first time in 2001. He loved this gym so much that he came back in 2003 to stay there for six months and become a fighter of this camp. He fought for the Petchrungruang Gym until 2010, he had with Khru Nu as coach and manager. Filippo Cinti has won many fights in Thailand and several major titles, he was WKN European Champion in 2004 and WPMF World Champion in 2005.
Filippo Cinti is now a coach at the Petchrungruang Gym, working with European promoters, especially in Italy, to enable the boxers of the Petchrungruang Gym to fight abroad. Thanks to him many great foreign champions came to train at the Petchrungruang Gym as the Italian star Giorgio Petrosyan.
FILIPPO CINTI
COACH FILIPPO CINTI WITH THE YOUNG CHAMPION ALEX PETCHRUNGRUANG
The Petchrungruang Gym has produced many champions since his opening but the most successful is without context the phenomenal Por Tor Tor Petchrungruang.
Por Tor Tor Petchrungruang is a pure product of the Petchrungruang Gym, he was formed very young in the camp. Today, Por Tor Tor is no longer in the Petchrungruang Gym, he’s training at the Venum Gym also in Pattaya.
Por Tor Tor is a very powerful “Muay Bouk” (Fighter moving forward) who has devastating elbow techniques. He’s strong also with his knee techniques. His fighter nickname is “Khun Khao Chalamraï (Shark’s knee stroke)”.
This great champion won the famous Thai Fight tournament in 2016 in – 67 Kg, he beat in the final the Canadian Sean Kearny by KO breaking his legs.
In 2016, Por Tor Tor also won the most prestigious tournament in Thailand, the Isuzu Cup Tournament No. 26 which takes place every year at the stadium of Omnoi in Bangkok. He beat in the final Diesellek Pengkongprap.
In 2012, he won the Omnoi stadium belt in 130 lbs by defeating Nuthaphon Kiataworn.
Por Tor Tor beat some good Thai fighters such as Teeded Sitjakung (KO), Khaywanlek Thor Laksong, Mangkorn Sor Kiatiwat, Nopakrit Kor Kumpanart, Seankeng Jor Noparat, Choktawee Rongriankilarkhorat, Lamphet Sitboonmee, Petchmongkon Petchsupapan, Petchsuvanbonmee Thor Niphapon, Payak Samui!
In the Thai Fight, Por Tor Tor has beaten many foreign boxers like French Charles Francois, Canadian Sean Kearney (KO), Iranian Keivan Soleimani, English Alex Bublea, Spanish Marc Rey (KO), Swedish Christ Axelsson, Russian Dimitri Mordvinov (KO), Scottish Craig Dickson, Albanian Samed Memaj (KO), Brazilian Cleber Moraes (KO)!
POR TOR TOR PETCHRUNGRUANG
POR TOR TOR IN PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM
The other wonder boy of the rings that comes from the Petchrungruang Gym is Tawanchai PK Saenchai Gym.
Tawanchaï Sermponviwat has won three prestigious trophies in 2018, the Siam Kilaa Trophy “Best Boxer of the Year 2018”, the trophy awarded by the Thai Sports Authority “Best Boxer of the Year 2018”, and the Lumpinee stadium trophy for “Best Boxer of the Year 2018”.
He was trained at the Petchrungruang Gym. Tawanchai made his first fights for the Petchrungruang Gym before joining at the age of 16 the prestigious PK Saenchai Gym in Bangkok. When fighting for the Petchrungruang Gym his fighter name was Jatukam Petchrungruang, he fought seven years for the Petchrungruang Gym.
Tawanchai won the Thai championship belt in 126 lbs at just 17 years old. On February 18, 2017, in the stadium of Lumpinee, he defeated Wayunoi Phetkiatphet for the title of champion of Thailand, a belt that he has defended several times successfully including against the formidable Mongkolchai Shengsimewgym.
In 2018, he won the Muay Thai Sports Association champion belt in Buriram and defeated the great champions likes Kulabdum Sor Jor Piek-Uthai (Lumpinee Champion in 135 lbs), Ferrari Jakkayanmuaythai (TV7 Champion in 135 lbs), Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnont (Omnoi Champion in 135 lbs) and Kongnapha Simongkol (Winner of the Toyota 2018 Tournament).
In 2019, Tawanchai beat Chujaroen Dabransarakarm (Lumpinee Champion in 135 lbs, TV7 champion in 140 lbs) and put KO superstar Sangmanee Sor Tienpo (Lumpinee Champion in 105 lbs, Radja champion in 108 lbs, 112 lbs, 115 lbs), he’s the first to inflict a knock on the phenomenal Sangmanee!
TAWANCHAI PK SAENCHAI GYM ALIAS JATUKAM PETCHRUNGRUANG
JATUKAM HAS STARTED HIS CAREER AT PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM
POR TOR TOR AND TAWANCHAI WERE FORMED TOGETHER IN PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM
The Petchrungruang Gym currently has a formidable fighter team that includes foreigners Sylvie Petchrungruang and Alex Petchrungruang as well as Thais Thongchai Petchrungruang, Maha Heng Petchrungruang, Yodpiti Petchrungruang, The Champ Petchrungruang, Kengkat Petchrungruang and Phetburapha Petchrungruang.
Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu fights for the camp under the name of Sylvie Petchrungruang. This American installed in Thailand since 2012 is a woman who commands admiration. His determination and his exceptional career in the world of boxing in Thailand is unique.
In seven years, on Thai land, she reached the incredible record of 258 professional fights in Muay Thai. With 248 professional fights in Thailand and ten professional fights in countries bordering Thailand, 173 wins, 75 losses and 10 draws. Previously, in the United States, she had performed 9 amateur fights in Muay Thai and one amateur fight in Boxing.
Her nickname in Thailand is “Sao Nakleng Khao” (Miss Gangster Knee Shot) because she’s a formidable fighter with knee stroke techniques. But she’s also called by the Thai fans “Rambo” for his valor in the fight, Rambo in reference to the great champion Pongsiree “Rambo” Ruamrudee, a dangerous Muay Bouk.
Sylvie Petchrungruang defeated champions like Faa Chiang Rai Sor Sakunthong (WBC World Champion), Thanonchanok Kaewsamrit (WPMF World Champion), Gulapdam RR Gilalampang (WPMF World Champion) victory by KO, Ticha RR Gila Khorat (World Champion WMC), Duangdaonoi Looklongtan (WPMF World Champion), Saya Ito (WPMF World Champion), Gaengaew Gor Glomgliow (WPMF World Champion)!
On May 11, 2019, in Chiangrai, she defeated the Thai Nong Benz Sakchatree Gym by TKO and won the IPCC World Champion title in – 48 Kg!
On December 5, 2016, at the King’s Birtday in Bangkok, Sylvie Petchrungruang had already fought for a world title, she met the champion Mary Verona Farm for the world belt WMC in – 52 Kg. The American lost in points the match against the Thai who weighed seven kilos more than she…
Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu also won the title of Queen’s Cup winner in – 46 Kg (2014), Chon Buri Buffalo Race Festival Belt in – 47 Kg (2014), Sriracha Stadium Champion in – 50 Kg (2014), Thepprasit stadium champion in – 47 Kg (2014), Chon Buri Buffalo Race Festival Belt in – 48 Kg (2015), Sattahip Festival Loi Krathong Belt in – 52 Kg (2015), Muay Siam Champion of Northern Thailand in 105 lb (2016), Champion of the stadium of Thepprasit in – 45 Kg (2017)!
SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG
WORLD CHAMPION IPCC
SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG IS OFTEN IN THAI SPECIALIZED MAGAZINES
A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP AND GREAT RESPECT WAS FORGED BETWEEN THE PUPIL SYLVIE PETCHRUNGRUANG AND HER PROFESSOR KHRU NU
Alex Petchrungruang of his real name Alessandro Sara is nicknamed The Italian Ferrari, he has been fighting for several years for the Petchrungruang Gym. At only 18 years old, he already has a big experience of hard fighting in Thailand in the big stadiums of Bangkok with about fifteen fights at the stadium of Lumpinee. From the age of 13, he fought professionally on the Thai rings. He first fought for the famous Sitsongpeenong Gym in Bangkok and then for the Petchrungruang Gym. To his credit, he has 78 fights for 57 victories, 18 defeats and 3 draws.
The young Italian warrior has not won an important title yet, but that will not be long. In 2018, at age 17, he won the Giacomini belt of a tournament in Bangkok and a belt at the Thai Fight of Rome where he defeated Alessio Malatesta. On July 20, 2019, in Ireland, he fought for the title of WBC World Champion in 140 lbs against the Irishman Saen Clancy who beat him on points.
Alex Petchrungruang defeated fighters such as Yodsiam Misawan, Rainbow Sor Kor Sungaigym (KO), Komkem Nitisamui (KO), Singdam Rotbansomkiatrang, Chonlatan Kiatpoonphon, Yodsiam Miksokawan, Yodchai Yokkawmuaythaigym, Denarong Thor Niyomsuk, Luca Roma.
ALEX PETCHRUNGRUANG
GIACOMINI CHAMPION
CHAMPION OF THAI FIGHT OF ROME
Thongchai Petchrungruang, the son of Khru Nu, is a powerful 19 year old boxer who fights very often in the stadium of Lumpinee and Radja in the category of 130 lbs, he beat good fighters like Phetburapa Nayokdonlopburi (KO), Chalermkiet Sitnayokaypriew (KO), Yodchai Yokhao Muay Thai Gym (KO), Yodsiam Miksokawan, Petchtonkam Phor Jareonphet.
THONGCHAI PETCHRUNGRUANG
Maha Heng Petchrungruang is 18 years old, fighting in the Radja stadium in 118 lbs, defeating boxers such as Nakee Sor Sirilak, Lakin Phor Thammarat (KO), Deanseanchai Rongrienkelakolat (KO), Phetpathum Phor Homklin (KO), Danchai Lukdaothong.
MAHA HENG PETCHRUNGRUANG
Yodpiti Petchrungruang is 22 years old, he fights a lot in the Lumpinee stadium in 126 lbs where he beat including Mungkornthong Wandeekaset, Putawan Sitboonme, Rolex Odratchada, Yokphet Or Sanitpan and draw against Diesellek Or Bor Tor Chingko.
YODPITI PETCHRUNGRUANG
The Champ Petchrungruang is 17 years old, he fights in 105 lbs in the stadium of Radja, he beat boxers like Sittisak Sor Prasopchok, Kalontong Chang Action Muay Thai (KO), Fanta Kietchalawan, Komphek Enpiboxing (KO), Phetphayung Sor Chatchai.
THE CHAMP PETCHRUNGRUANG
Kengkat Petchrungruang is 17 years old, he fights in 115 lbs in the Lumpinee stadium where he won against boxers such as Yodsamet Dabchetsantiban (KO), Neungpipun Kor Kampanat, Jay Jay Sor Kaykiet, Orono Chor Petchmuangkhon, Petchpayathai Yakietphet, Seksit Chor Kaewwiset, Petchaothai Pitaktangluang.
KENGKAT PETCHRUNGRUANG
The young Phetburapha Petchrungruang is 16 years old and fights in 110 lbs in the stadium of Lumpinee and Radja, he’s tall for his category and very strong with his knees.
PHETBURAPHA PETCHRUNGRUANG
The Petchrungruang Gym often receives great Thai champions for seminars that are offered to camp students. The legends of the rings Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn, Karuhat Sor Supawan, Namkabuan Nongkee Pahuyuth, Yodkunpol Sittripoom, have come several times to bring their immense experience of boxing rings to Petchrungruang Gym boxers.
MASTER DIESELNOI WITH KHRU NU
MASTER KARUHAT SOR SUPAWAN
MASTER NAMKABUAN NONGKEE PAHUYUTH
MASTER YODKUNPOL SITTRIPOOM
The atmosphere is family at Petchrungruang Gym, it’s a camp where you learn all the techniques suitable for both beginner and professional. Many foreigners come to train in this camp that welcomes boxers of all levels, confirmed boxers or amateurs are never disappointed with their training at Petchrungruang Gym!
KHRU NU, THONGCHAI PETCHRUNGRUANG, ALEX PETCHRUNGRUANG, KHRU FILIPPO
PRICE OF TRAINING
THE YOUNG FIGHTERS OF PETCHRUNGRUANG GYM IN THE 2010S WITH JATUKAM (TAWANCHAI), THONGCHAI, ALEX, YODPITI, POR TOR TOR, MAHA HAENG, JOZEF (SLOVAK BOXER)
