Payao Poontarat
Not many boxing fans will know the name of Payao Poontarat (10-4, 7) though the forgotten Thai was a genuine hero in his homeland and the fact the wider boxing public don't remember him is a genuine shame.
Born in Bang Sapan in Thailand in the 1950's (either 1956 or 1957) Poontarat would first make his name in the amateur ranks where he would eventually become a national icon.
As an amateur Poontarat would first come to the attention of amateur boxing fans in 1975 where he was the runner up in both the King's Cup and the Asian Championships.
Just a year after Poontarat had proven himself amongst the best in Asia, he managed to prove himself as one of the best in the World and also claim his place in history as he became the first ever Thai to claim an Olympic boxing medal, when he won a Bronze at the 1976 Montreal Olympic games. On his way to the medal Poontarat had to score a very notable upset victory over Hungarian György Gedó who had claimed Gold at the 1972 Games just 4 years earlier. Although his dreams of Gold would end in the semi-final thanks to North Korean Li Byong-Uk who would claim Silver, he had still put his name in the history books.
Having made history as the first ever Thai to claim an Olympic medal Poontarat remained amateur for the next few years and managed to reach the final of the 1979 World Cup and actually won the 1981 CISM Championships, which saw him defeating Ji-Won Kim (future unbeaten world champion from South Korea).
Following his victory at the CISM Championships Poontarat would turn professional and on his debut he would stop Tito Abella via second round KO.
Poontarat, due to his amateur success was somewhat rushed as a professional and after moving to 2-0 (2) he was put in with with the then OPBF Super Flyweight champion Soon-Chun Kwon. Against Kwon, a future world champion himself, Pootarat's inexperience was shown up and he would lose a 12 round decision.
Despite the set back of losing to Kwon in May 1982 Poontarat would bounce back well and string together 5 victories in the following 14 months as he rebuilt his professional career. Whilst none of those wins were over high profile opponents they did include a victory over Alonzo Gonzalez (who would later go on to face Hilario Zapata for th WBA Flyweight title).
Having successfully advanced his record to 7-1 (5) in less than 2 years as a professional Poontarat was again given a huge step up in class as he met the then reigning WBC Super Flyweight champion Rafael Orono. Going in to the bout Orono, of Venezuela had lost just 1 of 31 bouts and he had actually avenged that loss in brutal fashion. As well as his impeccable record Orono had also been the first Super Flyweight champion and, at the time, the only man to have been a 2-time champion at the weight. Despite Orono having more experience Poontarat would score a major upset and claim a split decision and the WBC title in just his 9th bout as a professional.
As the WBC champion Poontarat would successfully defend his belt once ending the career of Mexican former champion Guty Espadas who would be stopped in round 10. His reign would be ended just over 3 months later as he met Japanese great Jiro Watanabe (who was stripped of the WBA belt prior to what would have been a unification between two of the then 3 title holders). The bout with Watanabe was viewed as controversial and the WBC ordered a rematch.
In the rematch between Poontarat and Watanabe the Thai would be stopped in round 11 as Watanabe proved his dominance over the Thai who would fight just once more, losing to the then novice Kongtoranee Payakaroon (who would twice challenge for world titles in his own career).
Having retired following his loss to Payakaroon the former world champion would join the police force and later become a politician and was actually elected to the Thai parliament in 2001.
Sadly Poontarat's political career came to a premature end as he was struck down with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) and in 2006 he passed away.
Whilst Poontarat has become a forgotten name internationally his Olympic medal has made him a legend in Thailand and the fact he's in the history books thanks to both his professional and amateur success, as well as his political achievement mark down Poontarat as a man who deserves to be remembered very fondly, at least by Thai's.
The video below shows Poontarat winning the WBC title against Orono. Whilst the bout was far from exciting it did show the trademark jab of Poontarat and his skills that, for a 8 fight professional (going in to the bout) were impressive. The video is thanks to the wonderful FleaBOXING.
Born in Bang Sapan in Thailand in the 1950's (either 1956 or 1957) Poontarat would first make his name in the amateur ranks where he would eventually become a national icon.
As an amateur Poontarat would first come to the attention of amateur boxing fans in 1975 where he was the runner up in both the King's Cup and the Asian Championships.
Just a year after Poontarat had proven himself amongst the best in Asia, he managed to prove himself as one of the best in the World and also claim his place in history as he became the first ever Thai to claim an Olympic boxing medal, when he won a Bronze at the 1976 Montreal Olympic games. On his way to the medal Poontarat had to score a very notable upset victory over Hungarian György Gedó who had claimed Gold at the 1972 Games just 4 years earlier. Although his dreams of Gold would end in the semi-final thanks to North Korean Li Byong-Uk who would claim Silver, he had still put his name in the history books.
Having made history as the first ever Thai to claim an Olympic medal Poontarat remained amateur for the next few years and managed to reach the final of the 1979 World Cup and actually won the 1981 CISM Championships, which saw him defeating Ji-Won Kim (future unbeaten world champion from South Korea).
Following his victory at the CISM Championships Poontarat would turn professional and on his debut he would stop Tito Abella via second round KO.
Poontarat, due to his amateur success was somewhat rushed as a professional and after moving to 2-0 (2) he was put in with with the then OPBF Super Flyweight champion Soon-Chun Kwon. Against Kwon, a future world champion himself, Pootarat's inexperience was shown up and he would lose a 12 round decision.
Despite the set back of losing to Kwon in May 1982 Poontarat would bounce back well and string together 5 victories in the following 14 months as he rebuilt his professional career. Whilst none of those wins were over high profile opponents they did include a victory over Alonzo Gonzalez (who would later go on to face Hilario Zapata for th WBA Flyweight title).
Having successfully advanced his record to 7-1 (5) in less than 2 years as a professional Poontarat was again given a huge step up in class as he met the then reigning WBC Super Flyweight champion Rafael Orono. Going in to the bout Orono, of Venezuela had lost just 1 of 31 bouts and he had actually avenged that loss in brutal fashion. As well as his impeccable record Orono had also been the first Super Flyweight champion and, at the time, the only man to have been a 2-time champion at the weight. Despite Orono having more experience Poontarat would score a major upset and claim a split decision and the WBC title in just his 9th bout as a professional.
As the WBC champion Poontarat would successfully defend his belt once ending the career of Mexican former champion Guty Espadas who would be stopped in round 10. His reign would be ended just over 3 months later as he met Japanese great Jiro Watanabe (who was stripped of the WBA belt prior to what would have been a unification between two of the then 3 title holders). The bout with Watanabe was viewed as controversial and the WBC ordered a rematch.
In the rematch between Poontarat and Watanabe the Thai would be stopped in round 11 as Watanabe proved his dominance over the Thai who would fight just once more, losing to the then novice Kongtoranee Payakaroon (who would twice challenge for world titles in his own career).
Having retired following his loss to Payakaroon the former world champion would join the police force and later become a politician and was actually elected to the Thai parliament in 2001.
Sadly Poontarat's political career came to a premature end as he was struck down with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) and in 2006 he passed away.
Whilst Poontarat has become a forgotten name internationally his Olympic medal has made him a legend in Thailand and the fact he's in the history books thanks to both his professional and amateur success, as well as his political achievement mark down Poontarat as a man who deserves to be remembered very fondly, at least by Thai's.
The video below shows Poontarat winning the WBC title against Orono. Whilst the bout was far from exciting it did show the trademark jab of Poontarat and his skills that, for a 8 fight professional (going in to the bout) were impressive. The video is thanks to the wonderful FleaBOXING.
