Southpaw Muay Thai Masters
Their fight IQ is like a point guard’s court vision or a quarterback’s pocket presence. Calm amidst the storm.
The southpaw is dangerous, the different stance creating power from different angles. The majority of training an orthodox striker has done in sparring and/or competition is normally and predominantly against other orthodox strikers. While the southpaw has the same disparity work in their favour.
Left-handedness is far from a prerequisite for learning to fight southpaw though. In striking circles, it is noticeable that in the Far East. Thailand and Japan particularly, southpaws are much more common, as is left-handedness in general.
However many of the more successful southpaws in the world are simply southpaws because they chose to be; the Spider Anderson Silva, Mirko Cro Cop, and the Diaz brothers are all right-handed. While Marvin Hagler and Manny Pacquiao are apparently ambidextrous.
Yodsanklai Fairtex a.k.a. Yod is a former super welterweight WBC Muay Thai World champion at 154 lb and former three-time Lumpinee Stadium champion. He trains out of Fairtex Gym in Pattaya, Thailand and is nicknamed “The Boxing Computer”. As a testament to his perfect fighting technique. Wins WMC World Muaythai title (160 lbs). His last loss was to Artur Kyshenko in 2011.
Muay Thai Weapons of Choice
His main weapons are a hook, a cross, a vicious left body kick, a low kick and the uppercut. The epitome of advanced basics mastery, and impeccable timing so important in Thai Boxing.
Samart Payakaroon is considered by many to be the greatest Muay Thai boxer of all time, becoming a world champion in both Muay Thai and in Boxing. In 1986, he won a WBC junior featherweight title (Western Boxing) with a surprise KO over rock-chinned Lupe Pintor in the fifth round. He can fight orthodox and southpaw (ambidextrous). And tends to strike better with his hands from southpaw, and kicks from an orthodox stance.
Known for his evasive ways, and pinpoint accuracy, Samart hit hard and was hard to hit. Many compare him to Muhammad Ali, in a Thai Boxing sense, for his speed and ability to make others look “unworthy”.
Saenchai, formerly known as Saenchai Sor. Kingstar won the Lumpinee Championship title in four different weight divisions. Along with the WMC and WBC World titles. While most fighting above his natural weight; therefore he is considered one of the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighters in the world.
Saenchai often gives up 5 lbs. + in weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand. He is known for having excellent ring vision, speed, and innovative attacks.
