PHETBOONCHU FA GROUP (Career 2010-2020)
Phetboonchu, whose real name is Yutthapong Sitthichot, was born on May 8, 1990 in the village of Nong Khai in the Udon Thani region (North-East of the country).
At the age of 11 years old, his father took him to a temple near his home where monks taught Muay Thai, it was thanks to the monks that he discovered the secrets of Muay Thai!
Then, he joined the Boontham Luangyawee camp. At the beginning, Boontham, a former boxer, had set up his own camp in the North East of Thailand in Nongkhai. His camp was called the “Bor Plaa Boonchu Gym” (The Boonchu Fish Park) in connection with the name of the restaurant “Boonchu Fish” that Boontham had created. In his camp, he had trained some good boxers like Phetboonchu and Fahmeechai. But he had to close the camp because his restaurant was no longer working much. So Boontham left with his boxers to settle in the capital where he opened a new camp with the help of Surapol Prasetpharn. Surapol, which had shares in F.A. Group Company, named the camp simply F.A. Group Gym. This camp has become very famous today in Bangkok.
Since the age of 14 years old, Phetboonchu has trained and fought for the F.A. Group camp, a camp which is right next to the famous TV7 stadium.
Phetboonchu was nicknamed “Khoun Khao Rim Kong” (The killer knee of the Kong river) because he was a formidable “Muay Khao” (Strong in knees), his boxing was not very spectacular but terribly effective, his knee kicks were devastating. He was also very good with his fists because he often fought in boxing. In December 2014, he won the Gold Medal in amateur boxing for the Central Thailand Championships in Korat, Isaan.
Phetboonchu beat all the great champions of his category, he was elected “Best boxer of Lumpinee” for four months, from November 2013 to February 2014!
He also received in 2013 the prize of “Best fighter” by the famous magazine Siamkeela!
Phetboonchu holds the record for the most successful fighter in the history of major stadiums in Thailand, he won 13 titles, Thailand Champion in 105 lbs, Thailand Champion in 108 lbs, Thailand Champion in 112 lbs, Lumpinee Champion in 118 lbs, Thailand Champion in 122 lbs, Lumpinee Champion in 126 lbs, Lumpinee Champion in 130 lbs, Lumpinee Champion in 135 lbs (2 times), Thailand Champion in 135 lbs (2 times), Thailand Champion in 140 lbs, Radja Champion in 140 lbs!
He also won the WMC World Champion belt in 135 lbs and the Toyota Marathon Tournament belt in 140 lbs. The last belts he won are the Radja champion belt in 140 lbs, a belt he won on June 11, 2014 against the young prodigy Yodvicha Por Boonsit (Best fighter of the year 2012), and the belt of the Toyota Marathon tournament in July 2014 where he beat the Brazilian Victor Nunes, the French Jimmy Vienot and in the final the Thai Chamuaktong Sor Yupida, Phetboonchu won the sum of 300,000 baht for this great tournament!
His hardest fight was notably against Sam-A Kayanghadao in the stadium of Lumpinee in 2008, it was in the category of 115 lbs, Sam-A broke Phetboonchu’s legs with destructive low kicks, at the end of the Phetboonchu fight could no longer walk, he lost the fight to injury…
Phetboonchu and Sam-A faced each other twice with two wins for Sam-A.
The best memory of Phetboonchu remains his victories over the King of rings Saenchai Sor Kingstar. The two champions met seven times, Phetboonchu won three times (In August 2009, victory for the Lumpinee belt in 130 lbs, on December 3, 2013 victory in points in the stadium of Lumpinee, on February 7, 2014 victory in points in the stadium of Lumpinee) and Saenchai won four times!
Phetboonchu was one of the big Thai stars who touched the biggest purses as well as Saenchai, Pakorn, Singdam, Nong O, Sam-A, Sangmanee and Yodvicha!
Khoun Khao Rim Kong made the incredible number of 333 fights for 195 wins (15 KOs), 137 losses and 1 draw. He beat the best champions of his generation such as Panomrunglek Kiatmuu 9 (Thailand Champion), Captiankane Narupai (Lumpinee Champion, S1 Champion), Wuttihidech Lookprabath (Omnoi Stadium Champion), Jomthong Chuwatana (WBC World Champion, Radja Champion), Saenchai PK Saenchai Gym (Lumpinee Champion, WBC World Champion), Singdam Kiatmuu9 (Lumpinee Champion, Thailand Champion), Sakeddao Phetpayathai (Lumpinee Champion, Radja Champion), Pakorn PK Saenchai Gym (Lumpinee Champion, Radja Champion, Thailand Champion), Yodvicha Porboonsit (Lumpinee Champion, Thailand Champion), Nong O Kaiyanghadaogym (Lumpinee Champion, Radja Champion), Tongchai Sitthongsak (Lumpinee Champion), Orono Wor Petchpun (Lumpinee Champion, Thailand Champion, WMC World Champion)!
Phetboonchu is now teaching his immense knowledge in the famous Elvove MMA club which is located in Singapore!
BY SERGE TREFEU