My Interview with the Legend Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyut (Patreon)
Content
This is an interview with Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyut (video above, turn on subtitles), 130 lb Lumpinee Champion for 6 straight years (this was an incredibly competitive weight class) and a Legend of the Golden Age. Namkabuan's career painted a broad stroke across weight classes, as he was able to fight top competition as he grew from a young teen into an adult, climbing the weight classes.
In this interview we talk about his career and training with his older brother, fellow Golden Age Legend Nampon Nongkeepahuyut. At the time of this interview, now a few weeks ago, Namkabuan had recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, which has already spread into his brain. He'd already received radiation treatment on the tumors in his brain and was awaiting the start of chemotherapy, so he's visibly very tired and at times struggles to remember things, but his boyish charm and energy cannot be contained and you get to see what is very purely "Namkabuan."
Thing I loved to hear in this interview with him, be sure to watch the whole thing!:
- He didn't want to do Muay Thai, but once he had success they kept booking him. "I'm the kind of person who, if I do something, I give it my all"
- lost his first 3 fights in Bangkok but the audience loved him
- fought for the Lumpinee title far above his favored weight class because his brother held - the title 1 class up
- his daughters found out he was a fighter from their PE teacher at school
At the time of this publishing we have been able to raise nearly $3000 to help with Namkabuan's medical expenses and treatment (you can help and get updates on how he is doing here), thank you so much to everyone who has contributed. If you'd like to donate you can do so through the link above and we cover all fees, so 100% of every donation goes to Namkabuan. This is part of the Preserve the Legacy project, to interview Legends (this is at Namkabuan's home/restaurant in Nakhon Rachasima). Documentary projects like this and the translation is made possible through the generosity of my patrons; make sure to turn on the English subtitles. This is a huge part of what the Preserve the Legacy ambitions are, documenting not only the muay, but also the men of Thailand's great fighting past.
As it turned out we drove up with the legend Karuhat, who really wanted to see Namkabuan as this time of sickness. When we drove up we were really surprised to see Samart and his brother Kongtoranee sitting there visiting as well. Kevin really wanted to shoot some portrait photography of Namkabuan, and ended up with some beautiful photos of everyone there. You can see more from the shoot over the two days (any prints sold in this series go 100% to support Namkabuan). On the second day we were able to interview Namkabuan's long time kru since childhood, Arjan Pramod. That interview is coming soon, as well as Namkabuan's watch with me commentary over his fight vs Cherry.
In the Muay Thai Library you can watch my filming with Namkabuan a few years ago, as he teaches some of his style here:
And we were lucky enough to also do a Watch With Me with Namkabuan as he commentated on his fight vs Ramon Dekkers (available for everyone, on YouTube):
Again, thank you everyone who has supported me in my attempt to document and show care for these amazing men, and their muay which is their art. We are pulling for Namkabuan as he battles and fights toward health.
Here is the English Subtitle transcript for those who would like to read it:
0:01:58.616,0:02:02.187
Please tell us about your life.
0:02:02.306,0:02:08.080
What age did you start Muay Thai?
0:02:08.719,0:02:10.571
from childhood to an adult,
0:02:10.571,0:02:12.784
from the day I started until I retired.
0:02:12.784,0:02:14.657
- about my background?
- Yes
0:02:17.027,0:02:19.134
- OK
- Your brother started first, right?
0:02:19.134,0:02:21.907
- what?
- Did your brother start first?
0:02:21.907,0:02:23.434
Or did both of you start at the same time?
0:02:23.434,0:02:24.549
My brother started first.
0:02:26.996,0:02:30.051
How old was your brother, Nampon, when he started?
0:02:31.051,0:02:32.299
at 10 years old.
0:02:33.471,0:02:36.685
He was at 10. I was around 5.
0:02:40.368,0:02:46.687
He was 10. We are 3 years apart.
So, I was around 7.
0:02:46.687,0:02:50.065
- 7 years old.
- But I didn't start training right at 7.
0:02:51.372,0:02:53.367
Where did you train for the first time?
0:02:53.638,0:02:56.229
I trained at Arjan Pramod's house.
0:02:56.229,0:02:57.229
It was a gym.
0:02:57.455,0:02:59.827
- From day one with Arjan Pramod.
- Yes
0:03:00.132,0:03:05.246
My brother trained there.
I went to watch him train.
0:03:05.246,0:03:07.294
I didn't want to train at that time.
0:03:07.514,0:03:09.089
- You didn't want.
- No I didn't want.
0:03:09.693,0:03:10.889
Why didn't you want to train?
0:03:10.889,0:03:14.071
I saw how my brother trained.
It looked exhausting.
0:03:14.348,0:03:15.738
Because he was Muay Khao, right?
0:03:15.738,0:03:19.517
I saw him training and he ran all day.
No, I couldn't do that.
0:03:20.237,0:03:22.219
I played a bit in the gym.
0:03:22.219,0:03:24.792
But I didn't want to train.
0:03:25.293,0:03:28.454
Did you want to be like your brother?
Was he your idol?
0:03:28.454,0:03:31.845
I watched him. We were in the countryside.
0:03:32.204,0:03:34.370
I went to see Muay Thai fights.
0:03:34.370,0:03:39.120
I thought it would hurt.
0:03:39.120,0:03:42.342
So I didn't want to do it.
0:03:42.526,0:03:45.459
Later on I went to see
my brother's fights.
0:03:47.837,0:03:49.283
the fighters...
0:03:49.283,0:03:51.305
In the past in the countryside,
0:03:51.305,0:03:53.693
it was like...
0:03:54.151,0:03:56.043
If anyone wanted to fight
0:03:56.866,0:04:00.342
they could just show up at the ring
and get matched right there.
0:04:01.387,0:04:05.411
At that time, there was only one fighter.
0:04:05.411,0:04:08.702
My brother pushed me to go to fight.
0:04:09.571,0:04:12.244
I went up without knowing anything.
0:04:12.244,0:04:14.298
I didn't want to but they
still pushed me to go up.
0:04:14.298,0:04:15.898
So I went up and fought.
0:04:15.951,0:04:17.141
It was a tie.
0:04:17.381,0:04:18.873
I got 80 Baht.
0:04:19.019,0:04:21.237
It was a tie.
The audience tossed the money to us, like tips.
0:04:22.853,0:04:23.888
No payment from the promoter, no purse.
0:04:23.888,0:04:25.301
The audience applauded and tipped us.
0:04:25.301,0:04:28.593
- They tossed money to us.
- like tips. 80 Baht
0:04:28.593,0:04:31.408
It was 160 Baht in total.
80 Baht each.
0:04:31.408,0:04:34.661
like in Pattaya where people tossed money.
0:04:34.661,0:04:37.563
- It was a big amount for a kid. right?
- right.
0:04:37.563,0:04:38.626
What did you buy?
0:04:38.626,0:04:40.803
Oh 80 Baht
0:04:40.803,0:04:42.548
I was really happy.
0:04:43.334,0:04:45.604
Never got that much money before.
0:04:50.103,0:04:53.032
What was Arjan Pramod like at that time?
0:04:53.471,0:04:55.960
After that
0:04:55.960,0:05:00.545
they started seeing me fight.
0:05:00.545,0:05:01.999
I never gave up when I fought.
0:05:01.999,0:05:03.977
So they arranges matches for me.
0:05:04.808,0:05:09.642
I had no choice.
I didn't want to train but I had to.
0:05:10.595,0:05:13.009
I needed to continue training.
0:05:13.398,0:05:16.210
It made me...
0:05:16.210,0:05:19.331
I couldn't stop.
0:05:20.210,0:05:25.280
It was not like I wanted to
fight from the beginning.
0:05:25.736,0:05:28.016
After I won,
0:05:28.016,0:05:30.379
they arranged another match for me.
0:05:30.379,0:05:31.579
I had to continue.
0:05:33.437,0:05:36.631
It was like being forced but
0:05:36.631,0:05:42.040
I am a type of person who, if I'm going to do something, I give it my all.
0:05:42.614,0:05:45.100
My brother trained hard.
0:05:45.100,0:05:46.686
I also trained hard.
0:05:46.686,0:05:48.752
If he trained, I also had to train.
0:05:49.861,0:05:52.441
My brother was famous
0:05:52.441,0:05:54.497
in the Isaan region.
0:05:54.497,0:05:57.917
He was so good that nobody
could fight him anymore in that region.
0:05:57.917,0:06:01.765
I was the same.
We went to fight together.
0:06:01.765,0:06:06.698
I was in junior level. My brother was
100 lb already, so he went to Bangkok.
0:06:07.485,0:06:09.864
- Did he go to Bangkok before you?
- Yes
0:06:10.929,0:06:15.795
When your brother went to Bangkok, would you go with him?
0:06:15.795,0:06:17.227
I didn't go.
0:06:17.227,0:06:18.360
I stayed at home.
0:06:20.283,0:06:24.629
I trained and fought in the local area.
0:06:25.919,0:06:27.884
I fought in the local area at that time
0:06:27.884,0:06:33.426
until 100 lb, not even 100 lb.
0:06:34.633,0:06:39.250
Then nobody could fight me anymore
0:06:40.402,0:06:42.752
I started travelling to
other regions to fight.
0:06:43.022,0:06:45.523
Eventually, I could go to go to Bangkok.
0:06:46.086,0:06:47.934
I lost in my first match.
0:06:47.934,0:06:49.544
I lost in my second match.
0:06:49.544,0:06:50.910
I also lost in my third match.
0:06:50.910,0:06:52.398
I lost all first 3 matches.
0:06:53.329,0:06:54.795
lost all of them.
0:06:54.795,0:06:59.996
But they were entertaining fights.
The audience was happy and cheered.
0:06:59.996,0:07:05.667
After that I had to improve myself.
I couldn't entertain the audience only.
0:07:06.545,0:07:08.425
I had to win.
0:07:09.019,0:07:10.898
I must learn how to win.
0:07:11.476,0:07:17.248
If I could win, my purse would go up.
0:07:18.137,0:07:21.268
I thought my purse
would go up after I won.
0:07:21.268,0:07:22.949
- good
- good
0:07:22.949,0:07:24.030
That's correct.
0:07:24.925,0:07:28.930
At what age did you go to fight in Bangkok?
0:07:29.186,0:07:30.947
I was 13 at that time.
0:07:30.947,0:07:34.616
13? You became a champion at 18, right?
0:07:34.619,0:07:36.317
Yes
0:07:36.953,0:07:39.097
I was 13.
0:07:39.741,0:07:41.275
13 years old.
0:07:42.065,0:07:45.065
I went to Bangkok at 12 years
old, almost 13.
0:07:45.903,0:07:48.654
My weight was less than 100 lbs.
0:07:48.654,0:07:52.197
You had to eat before stepping on the scale, to make 100 lbs.
0:07:53.073,0:07:54.349
very tough
0:07:55.246,0:07:57.494
My weight was increasing.
0:07:58.057,0:08:03.351
1 year after I moved to Bangkok...
0:08:04.214,0:08:07.033
My compensation was 100,000 baht in the second year.
0:08:08.679,0:08:10.745
I fought Hippy at 108 lbs, for the Lumpinee title
0:08:12.055,0:08:14.925
- My weight was 112 lbs. I lost by cuts from elbows.
- How old were you?
0:08:14.925,0:08:16.747
I was 14 years old.
0:08:16.747,0:08:21.419
- so young.
- should be around 13 or 14 years old.
0:08:21.885,0:08:24.593
I fought for a championship just 1 year after moving to Bangkok.
0:08:24.593,0:08:29.225
When Hippy talked about beating you, he was very proud.
0:08:29.250,0:08:33.689
But he never said that you
were only 13 or 14 years old.
0:08:33.689,0:08:36.004
- You were still a child.
- I was still young.
0:08:36.004,0:08:39.198
I didn't have much experience.
0:08:39.198,0:08:40.828
Hippy slashed me with elbows.
I got cut here.
0:08:40.987,0:08:45.827
One. Two. Back elbow
0:08:46.415,0:08:47.743
How many stitches?
0:08:48.423,0:08:49.838
30 stitches
0:08:50.587,0:08:52.454
10 here, 10 here and 10 here
0:08:52.726,0:08:54.336
3 cuts
0:08:56.576,0:09:02.575
You fought for a long time.
You started young and
0:09:02.575,0:09:06.814
fought with everyone as you moved up in weight.
0:09:07.404,0:09:08.915
fought with Hippy
0:09:08.915,0:09:15.297
After Hippy, it was Toto.
0:09:16.286,0:09:18.097
Toto Por Pongsawang
0:09:19.020,0:09:21.080
and ...
0:09:21.529,0:09:25.073
Ai Lerd Lek. What's his name?
0:09:25.073,0:09:28.340
- He was good.
- And Karuhat. right?
0:09:28.340,0:09:30.205
I didn't fight with Karuhat yet.
0:09:30.205,0:09:33.373
I fought with Karuhat when
I was more than 120 lbs.
0:09:33.373,0:09:35.787
Around 110 lbs,
0:09:35.787,0:09:38.472
I think I fought with
Pairojnoi Sor Siamchai
0:09:41.427,0:09:45.501
After that I fought with
Hippy again at Koh Samet.
0:09:45.501,0:09:47.031
Because I was big.
0:09:47.031,0:09:49.223
We fell and I landed on him.
0:09:49.223,0:09:51.757
I just used this strategy. Just to hurt him.
0:09:52.872,0:09:54.008
very smart
0:09:54.008,0:09:56.612
He was under me. He couldn't get up.
0:09:59.120,0:10:03.065
After that, I fought with Dokmaipa.
0:10:03.065,0:10:06.336
Dedduang Por Pongsawang
0:10:06.336,0:10:10.929
Toto Por Pongsawang, Dokmaipa, Dedduang
0:10:10.929,0:10:12.983
- You fought all 3 brothers?
- Yes
0:10:12.983,0:10:14.275
I won.
0:10:15.275,0:10:19.593
Punch, leg kick, punch, leg kick
0:10:20.634,0:10:22.379
The easiest way to prevent them
0:10:22.379,0:10:24.366
from punching and kicking
0:10:24.366,0:10:27.668
was to grab and hug.
I did that in all 5 rounds.
0:10:27.668,0:10:29.709
And I wouldn't get hurt.
0:10:30.735,0:10:34.375
If I stayed far away,
I would be hit and hurt.
0:10:34.375,0:10:36.371
because I would be in
their proper range to strike.
0:10:37.243,0:10:39.945
Then...
0:10:43.774,0:10:47.447
At one point, my weight
0:10:48.521,0:10:53.814
increased to 122 lbs.
0:10:54.486,0:10:56.788
I fought with a lot of good fighters.
0:10:56.788,0:10:59.945
My brother was 126 lb champion.
0:11:00.522,0:11:02.447
My weight was 122 lbs.
0:11:02.447,0:11:05.101
My brother was a champion in 126 lb.
0:11:05.101,0:11:08.494
I didn't fight for the title at that weight because of my brother.
0:11:08.494,0:11:10.481
They arranged me to fight
for 130 lb championship
0:11:10.481,0:11:12.300
with Cherry.
0:11:13.342,0:11:15.140
That fight is so good.
0:11:15.140,0:11:21.118
I was ranked second at 122 lbs.
0:11:21.118,0:11:23.212
But I fought for the 130 lb title.
0:11:23.212,0:11:25.161
- had to skip over your brother's weight
- yes
0:11:27.594,0:11:32.511
Cherry fought with my brother. I went
to see all matches. They were all draws.
0:11:33.455,0:11:39.902
Why was it different?
Both Nampon and Cherry are Muay Khao
0:11:39.902,0:11:46.539
What did you think when you fought?
0:11:46.539,0:11:49.380
I watched him against my brother in 3 fights.
0:11:49.380,0:11:51.455
Nampon liked to use power.
0:11:52.126,0:11:56.117
He used too much power
and got tired later.
0:11:56.775,0:11:59.365
We must... I didn't use much power.
0:11:59.365,0:12:03.990
I only waited for him to lift his
leg (in the clinch), then I pulled.
0:12:03.990,0:12:06.718
I was never defeated by knee style.
0:12:06.718,0:12:08.202
I actually liked it.
0:12:08.999,0:12:11.013
- another thing...
- because he came forward, right?
0:12:11.013,0:12:14.271
Another thing is if your body is straight,
0:12:14.271,0:12:16.004
and your base is strong,
0:12:16.004,0:12:20.030
we won't... If we crouch or go backwards, our body will be...
0:12:21.242,0:12:22.843
stay close to the opponent
0:12:22.843,0:12:26.060
avoid the knee using your waist
0:12:27.604,0:12:31.057
If you bend down, he can grab you.
0:12:31.057,0:12:33.987
If you straight up, he can't grab you.
0:12:33.987,0:12:37.209
If he wants to elbow, and you bend
down, he will hit you easily.
0:12:37.209,0:12:39.850
You have to look and be careful.
0:12:41.629,0:12:47.847
After that I fought every 6 months
to defend the championship title
0:12:49.669,0:12:53.908
with many people.
0:12:54.848,0:12:57.033
But there are so many good
fighters at this weight.
0:12:57.033,0:12:59.009
- yes
- This class is very difficult.
0:12:59.009,0:13:06.650
Before becoming 130 lb
champion, I fought Pi Sian (Karuhat).
0:13:06.650,0:13:08.148
Boonlai
0:13:12.140,0:13:14.057
Somrak
0:13:14.057,0:13:16.284
Did you fight with Sangtiannoi?
0:13:16.284,0:13:21.426
I fought with Pi Too (Sangtiennoi) at 130 lbs.
0:13:22.196,0:13:24.199
Sangtiannoi was a big guy.
0:13:24.199,0:13:27.840
They asked Sangtiannoi
to fight in 127 lbs.
0:13:29.141,0:13:34.992
He was tall.
Yeah, but you, like, jump-kicked his head.
0:13:34.992,0:13:36.330
How did you do that?
0:13:36.330,0:13:40.519
They told me to do this in rounds 1, 2, 3.
0:13:40.519,0:13:42.212
Joints were still good.
0:13:43.019,0:13:45.950
If you want to get a knock out...
0:13:47.159,0:13:51.706
When I was young,
I could show Muay Thai art of defense.
0:13:51.706,0:13:54.491
But in the past, they didn't give points.
0:13:54.491,0:13:59.338
If they did, I could show
the Muay Thai art much more.
0:13:59.923,0:14:03.699
In the past, you were so strong.
You could grab your opponent and
0:14:03.724,0:14:09.689
throw him down. But now they don't
give points for this. What do you think?
0:14:09.689,0:14:13.559
It disappeared because of gambling.
0:14:13.559,0:14:16.450
In the past, there was
knee, jump and teep, etc
0:14:16.450,0:14:20.437
But today you jump,
you will fall down right away.
0:14:21.777,0:14:22.837
- It changed a lot.
- yes
0:14:22.837,0:14:25.150
Nowdays kicking out the leg isn't a foul.
0:14:25.150,0:14:29.375
In the past, if you jumped to kick,
you had to kick with the back of your feet.
0:14:29.375,0:14:30.815
But today you can use your heel.
0:14:31.180,0:14:33.781
Not a foul. But it was a foul in the past.
0:14:33.781,0:14:36.382
Using heels was foul.
0:14:37.155,0:14:43.632
You had plowing style.
When did you change?
0:14:43.632,0:14:49.239
It changed in 1997.
0:14:49.239,0:14:50.516
I think.
0:14:51.281,0:14:55.219
I was almost 20 years old.
0:14:55.219,0:14:58.804
I got the championship.
I fought with Cherry.
0:14:58.804,0:15:04.285
They cancelled the plowing style in less
than a year after I fought with Cherry.
0:15:04.285,0:15:07.559
How did you feel when they changed?
0:15:07.559,0:15:12.061
I was ok if they didn't
want me to use this style.
0:15:12.061,0:15:13.200
But...
0:15:14.322,0:15:17.079
Sometimes I grabbed and didn't move yet.
0:15:17.079,0:15:18.395
Normally you are allowed 2 steps.
0:15:18.395,0:15:21.012
The referee stopped me right away, no steps.
0:15:21.012,0:15:24.038
I didn't move 2 steps yet.
0:15:24.788,0:15:26.233
- right?
- yes
0:15:26.233,0:15:28.818
I grabbed. The referee stopped me.
I got kicked here for free.
0:15:28.818,0:15:30.636
- right?
- yeah
0:15:30.636,0:15:35.831
I didn't have to plow.
I could grab and use other techniques.
0:15:35.831,0:15:39.105
But the referee didn't give me a chance.
0:15:39.665,0:15:41.670
He kicked. I grabbed.
The referee stopped me.
0:15:42.773,0:15:45.361
Break
0:15:46.117,0:15:52.117
You know. You can grab
and then toss and kick.
0:15:52.117,0:15:54.475
- But the referee didn't give me a chance.
- right.
0:15:54.475,0:15:55.858
I'm Muay Khao.
0:15:55.858,0:15:59.046
Referees, as soon as they see it's me, are itchy to break right away. They don't ref other fighters like that.
0:16:02.594,0:16:06.504
I think it's not fair.
0:16:11.861,0:16:18.150
In your 20s, when Nampon had a
fight, did you go?
0:16:19.255,0:16:20.627
Normally we trained together.
0:16:20.627,0:16:25.099
If my brother had a match,
I would help him train.
0:16:25.099,0:16:27.290
- Was he good?
- Very good
0:16:28.157,0:16:30.585
Nampon was very good.
0:16:31.081,0:16:35.250
When he kneed,
he jumped and kneed like this.
0:16:36.087,0:16:37.203
When I was young,
0:16:40.391,0:16:44.485
When we trained,
my brother would be very powerful.
0:16:45.197,0:16:48.707
- He didn't take it easy on his brother.
- Not at all. I cried a lot.
0:16:50.280,0:16:56.695
Normally you use your thigh for training.
But he used the knee.
0:16:58.748,0:16:59.971
Very brutal.
0:16:59.971,0:17:04.719
He hit me here a lot.
0:17:04.719,0:17:05.972
I got used to it.
0:17:05.972,0:17:08.337
So you didn't have any
problem in the real fight.
0:17:09.645,0:17:12.807
- Totally. He was good.
- You were used to it.
0:17:12.807,0:17:18.836
Then I got taller.
When he hit me, I hit back.
0:17:18.836,0:17:20.852
We became comparable.
0:17:21.817,0:17:24.964
Later it was him to tell me to be softer.
0:17:25.991,0:17:31.473
When you trained with your
brother, what did you do better?
0:17:31.473,0:17:36.233
I normally was more technical, Femeu.
0:17:36.233,0:17:39.350
If we grabbed each other, it would depend on timing.
0:17:40.527,0:17:44.507
I was strong. But he kneed very hard.
0:17:46.521,0:17:50.166
He hit with around here with his knee.
It hurt a lot and I would turn red.
0:17:50.166,0:17:54.388
turn and knee, turn and knee
0:17:59.744,0:18:01.117
he was so strong
0:18:01.736,0:18:03.871
Later on
0:18:03.871,0:18:05.379
I was getting taller.
0:18:05.379,0:18:08.645
When he turned to knee, I also turned and
0:18:08.645,0:18:11.458
pushed him out.
0:18:12.067,0:18:13.559
He got angry.
0:18:13.559,0:18:21.166
He was angry. He had hot temper.
0:18:21.166,0:18:22.670
Was he calm?
0:18:22.670,0:18:26.501
He had hot temper
especially with his brother.
0:18:26.501,0:18:27.564
with me
0:18:27.564,0:18:29.371
very good.
0:18:34.481,0:18:35.665
That's all. Thank you very much.
0:18:36.558,0:18:38.576
Anytime
0:18:38.576,0:18:41.515
I have a lot.
0:18:42.748,0:18:46.758
We would spar boxing.
Our gym didn't do much boxing.
0:18:47.504,0:18:49.405
Nampon had strong punches.
0:18:50.307,0:18:53.514
I only ran away.
0:18:54.353,0:18:55.855
He jabbed. I ran.
0:18:55.855,0:19:00.749
When he punched, I just avoided. Not like a fighter.
0:19:01.914,0:19:05.596
He jabbed. I ran.
He yelled at me "where are you going?"
0:19:07.481,0:19:09.497
I would die if I stayed.
His punch was so strong.
0:19:10.285,0:19:17.506
After he got the car accident, he didn't
fight much. But he could train, right?
0:19:17.506,0:19:21.612
Yes he could train. He got the car
accident but got minor injuries
0:19:22.185,0:19:26.201
on his foot. Not serious injury.
And few cuts.
0:19:27.261,0:19:29.255
But he drank a lot.
0:19:30.012,0:19:35.871
But he trained very hard
when he prepared for a fight.
0:19:36.744,0:19:38.935
He would only train and
didn't do anything else.
0:19:38.935,0:19:44.012
Not like me, I'd pretend to go running but sneak breaks or hang out.
0:19:46.585,0:19:49.754
I saw your matches on Youtube.
0:19:49.754,0:19:54.285
When you won, Arjan Pramod
always gave these great high fives.
0:19:54.285,0:19:56.867
- Oh, he did the best high fives!
- Yes
0:19:56.867,0:19:59.725
He did this since the beginning.
0:20:04.486,0:20:06.510
One, Two ...
0:20:08.346,0:20:12.131
Sometimes I'll skip through just to watch the high five.
0:20:12.611,0:20:16.417
Arjan Pramod, between rounds,
0:20:16.417,0:20:19.661
I always looked at my opponent.
0:20:19.661,0:20:21.738
When I sat down during the
break, I stared at my opponent.
0:20:21.738,0:20:26.308
He always called me. "Piaw, Piaw"
0:20:26.308,0:20:28.624
I didn't look at him.
I looked at my opponent.
0:20:29.554,0:20:31.987
He'd hit me hard until I had to turn to him.
0:20:32.763,0:20:36.105
I listened to him but I
always looked at my opponent.
0:20:37.303,0:20:39.851
He said, "Listen to me".
0:20:39.851,0:20:42.075
"Yes sir"
0:20:42.075,0:20:47.548
I was staring to threaten my opponent.
0:20:47.548,0:20:48.717
But I was also listening.
0:20:52.192,0:20:53.391
Like Robert
0:20:53.391,0:20:55.482
I fought with Robert.
0:20:55.482,0:21:00.007
He kicked my leg. When the round ended,
0:21:01.711,0:21:05.671
I told my trainer "leg leg" while
locking eyes with my opponent.
0:21:05.671,0:21:08.340
But I had to do it without moving my mouth.
0:21:08.340,0:21:10.622
"leg, leg'
0:21:15.141,0:21:18.601
Did he piss you off with dancing?
0:21:18.601,0:21:25.678
I didn't care. I stared at him. But I
must not let him know that my leg hurt.
0:21:27.178,0:21:31.296
But I had to tell trainer without
moving my mouth "leg, leg".
0:21:31.988,0:21:34.009
- He must not know.
- yeah, don't let him know.
0:21:36.508,0:21:40.740
It was psychology.
It was like showing him
0:21:40.740,0:21:43.121
that I was not hurt.
In reality, it hurt.
0:21:43.917,0:21:45.653
What did you do when you
retired from fighting?
0:21:45.653,0:21:49.364
- I came here.
- Came to the restaurant?
0:21:49.364,0:21:53.427
- How many years here?
- 25 years.
0:21:54.464,0:21:57.952
When this place was not opened yet,
0:21:57.952,0:22:03.183
after finishing a fight, I just
went back to the gym. Nothing much to do.
0:22:03.183,0:22:04.830
Did you train others?
Or do something else?
0:22:04.830,0:22:07.918
- You didn't want to be a trainer.
- I am too tired.
0:22:07.918,0:22:10.379
I wanted to take a break.
0:22:11.930,0:22:15.750
Later on there was no opponent
0:22:17.497,0:22:18.987
for 4 months.
0:22:19.458,0:22:25.311
Then every fight they wanted me to give up 10 lbs, 10 lbs, 10 lbs.
0:22:25.550,0:22:29.082
But it became too difficult.
0:22:29.082,0:22:30.890
I trained for 4 months
0:22:31.858,0:22:33.956
but my purse didn't go up.
It went down.
0:22:33.956,0:22:36.831
I used to get 20% increase
after winning a fight.
0:22:36.831,0:22:40.674
But the compensation went
down substantially when I lost.
0:22:44.822,0:22:46.828
I finished on good terms.
0:22:46.828,0:22:48.139
Plowing style was not allowed.
0:22:48.885,0:22:52.545
I stopped plowing style.
0:22:52.545,0:22:54.251
In the match with Lamnamoon,
plowing was already not allowed.
0:22:54.251,0:22:57.414
There were a lot of fights after they'd made plowing illegal.
0:23:01.624,0:23:04.644
In the fights with Sakmongkol,
it was not allowed also.
0:23:04.644,0:23:06.265
- 2 fights with him, right?
- Yes
0:23:06.265,0:23:11.695
In my opinion,
I think I never lost to him.
0:23:12.470,0:23:15.818
I think it would be either a draw or a win for me.
0:23:15.818,0:23:18.181
I felt like I won.
0:23:19.996,0:23:23.202
At the end it depends on
the judges' decision.
0:23:23.202,0:23:24.826
- You felt bad, right?
- Yes
0:23:25.756,0:23:30.034
Referee's decisions matter. Sometime it
was an influence from gamblers.
0:23:32.475,0:23:34.474
Have you ever criticized those gamblers?
0:23:34.474,0:23:37.119
Never. They only scolded me.
0:23:37.119,0:23:39.556
They scolded me
because they lost their bet.
0:23:43.667,0:23:46.333
How could I scold them?
There were so many of them.
0:23:46.346,0:23:49.292
When they lost money,
0:23:49.923,0:23:51.231
they scolded.
0:23:51.231,0:23:56.172
When I won, they applauded.
0:23:57.973,0:24:00.793
When I lost, they scolded me.
0:24:00.793,0:24:02.312
- It's always like that.
- Yes.
0:24:05.682,0:24:07.343
Who was your last opponent?
0:24:07.758,0:24:09.405
Kaolan Kaowichit
0:24:09.405,0:24:11.233
- Kaolan
- Kaolan
0:24:11.233,0:24:14.469
It should be... I can't remember.
0:24:16.006,0:24:18.997
Kaolan yes Kaolan
0:24:18.997,0:24:20.546
I gave up 10 lbs
0:24:20.546,0:24:24.233
I already opened the restaurant.
0:24:24.233,0:24:27.608
Restaurant was making
more money than fighting.
0:24:28.307,0:24:31.986
- Did you still train?
- From time to time
0:24:31.986,0:24:35.714
I made around 50,000 Baht a day.
0:24:36.749,0:24:37.820
I mean in the past.
0:24:38.612,0:24:43.189
I had one match in 4 months.
The compensation was 150,000 Baht.
0:24:44.061,0:24:46.048
Half of 150,000 Baht is around 70,000 Baht.
0:24:46.048,0:24:47.731
yeah not the same.
0:24:47.731,0:24:52.782
I made 50,000 Baht at the restaurant, so for a month...
0:24:53.514,0:24:57.948
So I thought it was better to focus on the restaurant business.
0:24:57.948,0:25:01.259
The business did well in the past.
But it went down a lot these days.
0:25:04.045,0:25:07.049
Things change with time.
0:25:07.049,0:25:11.872
Nobody can be a champion forever.
0:25:11.872,0:25:14.182
There is no one who doesn't know what it is to lose.
0:25:14.182,0:25:15.476
right?
0:25:15.476,0:25:17.616
You have to know how to lose first.
0:25:20.787,0:25:22.950
Yes in the past.
0:25:23.805,0:25:26.607
Loss or win are normal things these days.
0:25:27.228,0:25:29.670
I don't look at it for gambling.
0:25:29.670,0:25:33.109
I think win or loss is just the beginning.
0:25:33.109,0:25:34.789
Loss is the beginning.
0:25:34.789,0:25:39.356
It is a good start.
Because it makes you think how to win.
0:25:40.757,0:25:44.453
Could you tell us about your 2 daughters?
0:25:44.453,0:25:48.760
One of them is a veterinarian.
0:25:48.760,0:25:51.253
The other one is...
0:25:51.253,0:25:53.850
She likes the entertainment field.
0:25:53.850,0:25:55.321
She likes singing...
0:25:55.321,0:25:57.866
entertainment like her father.
0:25:59.304,0:26:04.230
- She likes to entertain, sing, etc.
- They're both beautiful.
0:26:04.230,0:26:10.575
They were models for a boutique shop.
0:26:12.765,0:26:15.811
They are quite stubborn like me.
0:26:17.638,0:26:21.388
- It's normal for girls.
- Yeah normal.
0:26:21.388,0:26:25.372
Are they interested in Muay Thai?
0:26:25.372,0:26:27.628
- They train.
- I mean to watch.
0:26:27.628,0:26:31.227
I brought them to watch.
But they trained for exercise.
0:26:31.227,0:26:33.833
Did they watch your old fights?
0:26:33.833,0:26:35.678
They didn't know that I was a fighter.
0:26:35.678,0:26:40.097
When they went to school,
they had physical education class.
0:26:40.097,0:26:41.526
The teacher showed Muay Thai.
0:26:42.490,0:26:45.852
The teacher asked where they lived.
0:26:45.852,0:26:47.035
They answered they lived
at Namkabuan Restaurant.
0:26:47.035,0:26:50.083
The teacher told them, "your dad is a famous fighter."
0:26:50.083,0:26:53.195
The teacher was surprised.
0:26:56.532,0:27:04.289
After that the teacher changed
the attitude about my daughters.
0:27:07.105,0:27:10.727
- Yeh it's like that.
- They were really naughty.
0:27:11.696,0:27:14.994
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.