#140 Weerapol Sahaprom - Symmetry and Power (1 hr, 40 min) (Patreon)

So many have been hoping that Weerapol could be added to the Muay Thai Library, and I'm so happy to have finally been able to film with him, both as a fighter and a documentarian. Weerapol is one of the most vicious, prolific fighters of the Golden Age. His career spanned 30 years, 15 of them in Muay Thai, then 15 years in Western Boxing. He achieved great success in both sports, was Rajadamnern champion in 3 weights and fought the best of his era, and became WBC (and WBA) World Champion in boxing, defending his belt many times (pro boxing record 66-4-2). He lays claim to one of the best chaiya, or fight alias, ever: "Death Mask." After his retirement from fighting, he has occasionally entered back into the ring in exhibition bouts, one with Samson (his fights with Samson in the Golden Age are incredibly well-known and regarded) a few years ago, and when we filmed this session he was in the process of training for a fight against Lakhin, whom he'd never gotten to face back in the day and was a much anticipated matchup as a special highlight fight on a card down in the South of Thailand. Weerapol and I start out talking about the importance of shadowboxing, and then he uses this session to prove that point. He's got a keen eye for detail and knows how to make adjustments to technique, finesse, power and strategy.  I really enjoyed learning from him and find him to be a charismatic and patient teacher, as well as a funny and welcoming host, when we stopped by his restaurant after the session and before heading deeper into Isaan. Thank you to everyone who helps make the Muay Thai Library happen, archiving the Muay Thai of Thailand's greatness before it disappears. 

What to Look Out For:

1) Jab to Start All Stacks: Weerapol uses his jab to set up everything, it's his timing, his spacing, his rhythm and closes up the opponent for more significant strikes. He likes the high-low of jab to low kick, jab to middle kick.

2) 360 Degrees Use of Space in Shadow: I was chastised for shadowboxing on a "train track," only going back and forth in a line. Use the full space, use angles and change, pivot; don't be afraid to turn away from the mirror of if you don't have a mirror, it makes no difference to how you can feel the whole space.

3) Ambidextrous, Forward/Back, Offense/Defense: Weerapol makes an explicit point to work on both sides to everything. He doesn't mean change stance, but he does mean you work equally on your power side and your front side, in order to make yourself equally comfortable with those weapons. Also "dern" and "toy" in the forward and retreat, offense and defense... everything balanced.

4) Differences in MT and Boxing: He makes a number of points about the differences between Muay Thai and Boxing, the length of punches is different, for example, but his examples of the difference in "yoke" or how the body rocks is the most significant. He said that even after he transitioned to boxing, he never liked the "wave" of boxing (Tyson tik-tok or the side to side from the hips) and kept the feint-dodge forward and back from Muay Thai. Being able to strike with the lower body in Muay Thai is the main factor in how he choses his movement.

5) Differences in Weapon Selection and Spacing: I loved this explanation and examples of weapon selection and spacing for when you're the "dern" fighter, versus when you are the "toy" fighter. If you're going forward, your offensive and defensive weapons change from when you're retreating. Likewise, if your opponent is the one whose weight is shifting forward most of the time (as the advancing fighter), you have different weapons than if they will be shifting backwards mostly (as the retreating fighter).

Other Sessions Referenced:

#71 Napapol Giatsakchokchai - Powerful Boxing For Muay Thai (81 min) watch it here

#64 Chatchai Sasakul 2 - Elements of Boxing (72 min) watch it here

#93 Wangchannoi Palangchai #1 - Deadly Step Counter Fighting (70 min)

#111 The Karuhat Rosetta Stone 7 - The Secrets of the Matador (83 min) watch it here

Samson Isaan 2 - Muay Khao & Western Boxing Excellence (59 min) watch it here

#38 Sagat Petchyindee 2 - Maximum Damage (61 min) watch it here

#81  Chamuakpet Hapalang 2 - Muay Khao Internal Attacks (65 min) watch it here

Old Footage of Weerapol's home gym, after he'd become a Western Boxer

Newspaper ad for Karuhat vs Weerapol bout.

With his 3 Rajadamnern titles: 108 lb, 112 lb, and 115 lb

An incredible photo of Samson going down when he was KOd by Weerapol.

Weerapol waiting for the ref to count and then wave off Samson, win by KO.

One of his many title defenses for his WBC 118 lb world title.

Many awards, the one in his right arm is, I believe, Best Fighter of Rajadamnern.

Weerapol at home as a young fighter.

3 of Thailand's best western style boxers of the 90s, from left: Sirimongkol, Weerapol, Napapol. It's common to see fighters have promotional "celebrity games" of soccer/football.

At his restaurant "Baan Champ Lok" in Chaiyaphum, which he runs with his wife.

Boxing match in Japan.

With his WBC World Title and his daughter.

With Tongchai Tor. Silachai (Fighter of the Year 2001), Weerapol won an award for best fighter of Rajadamnern.

Giving up 2 pounds at weigh in and still winning by KO.

WBA Champion (Samson) and WBC Champion (Weerapol)

Such an incredible photo, the moment the referee catches Japanese boxer Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, as he is KOd in round 7 (of 12) in Osaka, Japan (1999).

A few photos from the session. You can see Kevin's full album of photographs of Weerapol, always good to look at frames and study.

If you enjoyed this session there are others in the Library on similar themes, how boxing and Muay Thai go together:

#74 Samson Isaan 2 - Muay Khao & Western Boxing Excellence (59 min) watch it here

In 1991 there was no fighter more of a force than Samson Isaan, who took Fighter of the Year then. His relentless style combining Muay Maat punching aggression with Knee Fighting pressure and clinch made him a wrecking ball. In this session discover what made this little fighter so impossible to handle.

#37 Kongtoranee Payakaroon - Power In The Hands (89 min) watch it here

5x Lumpinee Champion, 2x Fighter of the Year, Kongtoranee teaches the fundamental grounding of strikes that made him one of the most feared heavy-handed fighters in Thailand. Such economy of movement expresses the true beauty in his style, quite different than - but no less admirable - that of his young brother Samart.

#93 WBC Champ "Eagle" Den Junlaphan  1 - The Roots of His Boxing Movement (63 min) - watch it here

Multi-time WBC World Champion boxer Den Junlaphan teaches the elements of his footwork and movement, the importance of fighting rhythm and eyes. He shows how he chains rolling punches together with defense, as part of a punishing in and out style.

#71 Napapol Giatsakchokchai - Powerful Boxing For Muay Thai (81 min) watch it here

Nothing is a better match than world class boxing added to fundamentally sound Muay Thai. Napadol was one of the best western boxers in all of Thailand, a WBC champion, and he teaches a gorgeous, powerful boxer's technique that is easily married to Muay Thai. see a clip on our Instagram

#88 Samransak Muangsurin - Muay Maat Legend Keys to Powerful Hands (61 min) watch it here

Samransak was nothing if not thunderous as a fighter in the Golden Age. He threw with serious, heavy hands and just brutalized his opponents. He teaches the basics of his Muay Maat style, how he brought boxing into the ring to massive effect. One of the all time legends of the sport.

#120 Kaisuwit "Kru Pern" - Muay Maat Centrifugal Power (104 mins) watch it here

Kru Pern teaches the keys of Muay Maat (hands heavy) power, developing centered balance and gaining a feel for a whipping, side to side centrifugal power. He builds up from the basics but brings it all to a higher level. I learned a lot in this session. Learn with me as I learn from him.

#29 Pornsanae Sitmonchai - The Power of Hooks & Low Kicks (74 min) watch it here

A whole system of low kick and hook attacks is taught in this one session. Rajadamnren and 2x Lumpinee Champion Pornsanae is known for his brutal power fighting and this is how he gets it done. Cutting angles, lead arm control, invading space. Pornsanae teaches his philosophy.