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Khaosai Galaxy

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Khaosai Galaxy
เขาทราย แกแล็คซี่
Born
Sura Saenkham

(1959-05-15) 15 May 1959 (age 65)
Ban Cha Lianglab, Tambon Na Pa, Mueang Phetchabun, Phetchabun, Thailand
Other namesSai thaluang-si (ซ้ายทะลวงไส้)
"The Left Hand That Drills Intestines"[1]
Statistics
Weight(s)Super-flyweight
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights48
Wins47
Wins by KO41
Losses1

Khaosai Galaxy (Thai: เขาทราย แกแล็คซี่, born, 15 May 1959) is a Thai former professional boxer and Muay Thai fighter who competed between 1980 and 1991. He held the WBA super-flyweight title between November 1984 and December 1991. He is listed #19 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time and named him the 43rd greatest fighter of the past 80 years in 2002.[2] As of 2022, BoxRec rates him as the best Thai boxer of all time, pound for pound.[3]

Muay Thai career

[edit]

Khaosai was born as Sura Saenkham (Thai: สุระ แสนคำ) in Phetchabun Province, Northern Thailand. He was a Muay Thai fighter in the early 1980s, and took the professional name Galaxy from a restaurant and nightclub owned by his manager's friend. Khaosai had tremendous punching power, particularly in his soon-to-be legendary left hand. On the advice of his manager and trainer, he switched to Marquis of Queensbury style and began training as a western style boxer.

In Muay Thai his ring names were Daoden Muangsithep (Thai: ดาวเด่น เมืองศรีเทพ) and Khaosai Wangchomphu. (Thai: เขาทราย วังชมภู)

He praised his mother as the first trainer, because she was fond of boxing and Muay Thai. Due to he and his twin brother Khaokor Galaxy were born during the time that Pone Kingpetch, the first Thai world champion, was becoming famous.

His mother would wake them up at 4.00 a.m. for a run before school, along with supporting everything for the twins to fight.

Boxing style

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Lacking the amateur boxing experience common to most Western professional boxers, Khaosai's skills originally were limited, and he relied on toughness and his fearsome punching power to win. His southpaw style was based on closing his opponent and firing his left hand whenever he saw an opening. His right hand was used mainly to judge the distance for his left.

As he gained experience, Khaosai began to develop into a more refined boxer, learning combination punching to complement his deadly left. His favorite punch, a straight left to the midsection, translates roughly as "the left hand that drills intestines." Incredibly strong, he was never out-muscled, while opponents who tried the traditional stick-and-move techniques found he had quick feet and was able to block their movements.

Professional boxing career

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Khaosai began his international style boxing career in December 1980. He won all of his first six fights, which earned him a shot at the Thailand bantamweight (118-pound) title on 1981 against Sakda Saksuree. He lost on a points decision. It was to be the last fight he would ever lose in the ring.

Khaosai won his next three fights and claimed the Thai bantamweight title in 1982. He won 15 consecutive fights by knockout and climbed in the world rankings to become super-flyweight WBA world champion Jiro Watanabe's mandatory challenger by the summer of 1984.

When Watanabe failed to defend his title against Khaosai, the WBA stripped him and matched Khaosai against undefeated Eusebio Espinal for the vacant championship on 1984. Khaosai knocked out Espinal in the sixth round, beginning the longest title reign in his division's history.

Khaosai defended his WBA title 19 times over the next seven years, winning 16 of his title fights by knockouts. In the mid-1980s, when world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was in his prime and scoring knockouts over everyone, boxing fans nicknamed Khaosai The Thai Tyson for knockout wins.

Khaosai fought only once outside of Asia, when he defended his title in 1986 against unbeaten (and future WBA bantamweight titleholder) Israel Contreras in Curaçao. He had two title fights in Kōbe, Japan, one in South Korea and one at Bung Karno Stadium, Indonesia. The rest were in Thailand, where he often fought for purses in excess of $100,000 in front of huge crowds. That, plus the fact that few top fighters anywhere were willing to challenge Khaosai, made him relatively unknown in the West.

In 1988, his twin younger brother, fighting under the name Kaokhor Galaxy, captured the WBA bantamweight title, making the Galaxy brothers (Saenkham brothers) the first twins to ever be world boxing champions.[1]

Khaosai Galaxy in 2007

Retirement

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He fought for the last time on December 22, 1991 in Bangkok, beating Armando Castro over 12 rounds. A few weeks later, he announced his retirement with a record of 47 wins against only one defeat, and never attempted a comeback.

Life after boxing

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Not long after his retirement to the boxing profession, Khaosai chose to take part in the Thai entertainment industry. He first took a shot at the music industry, releasing a single, "Khob Khun Krub", meaning "Thank You", then began taking part in TV series and movies, particularly comedies. His first role as an actor occurred during the TV series Poot Mae Nam Khong (1992 version), which was then followed by Mon Rak Luk Thung (1995 version), The Legend of Suriyothai (2001), and The Bodyguard (2004)[4] etc. In 2005, while he was taking part in a film, he was punched in the face by a drunken fan, who wished to obtain Khaosai's shirt for collection but was denied. The incident made frontline news, which displayed a photo of Khaosai, with a bandage on his face but smiling and standing next to the drunk man.

In 2006, he starred in a music video for a song by fellow boxers Somluck Kamsing and Samart Payakaroon. In the video, Khaosai portrayed a shy man being approached by a young woman.

After retirement, he married the Japanese Yumiko Ota, whose he had met during a trip for his second fight with Kenji Matsumura in Kōbe, Japan in 1989. The couple lived together for only one year, and later divorced.

He later married a Buriram woman, Sureerat "Fah" Saenkham (née Niwesram). They had no children together, but Khaosai chose to take his wife's nephew as a stepchild.[5]

In March 2013, he made news again when he unexpectedly was married again, this time to Wannapa "Nung" Kamboonsri, before obtaining a legal divorce from his previous wife. The same year, he became a father for the first time at the age of 54, when his wife safely delivered a daughter.[6][7] In 2016, his wife delivered a second daughter by the end of the year.[8]

Currently, he owns two Muay Thai gyms, one located in Bangkok [9] and another in Phuket.[10] He was a trainer for Denkaosan Kaovichit in the fight against Takefumi Sakata which took place by the end of 2008 in Yokohama, Japan. (Denkaosan knocked his opponent out by the second round, becoming the next WBA flyweight champion).[4]

Besides boxing and entertainment, Khaosai has also flirted with politics. During the 2007 Thai general election, he was a candidate in the party-list of the Puea Pandin Party, but lost. Additionally, during the 2011 Thai general election, he became a candidate on behalf of the Chartthaipattana Party for his native Phetchabun 2nd district, but lost with only 8,485 votes.[4]

Legacy

[edit]

He was selected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999 and remains a well known boxer throughout Thailand.[1][4][11]

Every time he fought, there was a saying that traffic in Bangkok was good, because everyone rushed home to see him on TV.[4]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
48 fights 47 wins 1 loss
By knockout 41 0
By decision 6 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
48 Win 47–1 Armando Castro UD 12 22 Dec 1991 National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
47 Win 46–1 David Griman TKO 5 (12) 20 Jul 1991 Crocodile Farm, Samut Prakan, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
46 Win 45–1 Je Suk Park TKO 5 (12) 7 Apr 1991 Samut Songkhram Stadium, Samut Songkhram, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
45 Win 44–1 Ernesto Ford TKO 6 (12) 9 Dec 1990 Provincial Stadium, Phetchabun, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
44 Win 43–1 Yong Kang Kim KO 6 (12) 29 Sep 1990 Suphan Buri Provincial Stadium, Suphan Buri, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
43 Win 42–1 Shunichi Nakajima TKO 8 (12) 30 Jun 1990 Municipality Gymnasium, Chiang Mai, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
42 Win 41–1 Ari Blanca KO 5 (12) 29 Mar 1990 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
41 Win 40–1 Kenji Matsumura TKO 12 (12) 31 Oct 1989 World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Japan Retained WBA super-flyweight title
40 Win 39–1 Alberto Castro TKO 10 (12) 29 Jul 1989 Sri Narong Stadium, Surin, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
39 Win 38–1 Kenji Matsumura UD 12 8 Apr 1989 Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium, Yokohama, Japan Retained WBA super-flyweight title
38 Win 37–1 Chang Tae-il KO 2 (12) 15 Jan 1989 Crocodile Farm, Samut Prakan, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
37 Win 36–1 Choi Chang-ho TKO 8 (12)[12] 9 Oct 1988 Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, Seoul, South Korea Retained WBA super-flyweight title
36 Win 35–1 Jun Llano KO 3 (10) 12 Sep 1988 Bangkok, Thailand
35 Win 34–1 Kap Sup Song KO 7 (10) 9 May 1988 Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok , Thailand
34 Win 33–1 Kongtoranee Payakaroon UD 12 26 Jan 1988 Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
33 Win 32–1 Byung-Kwan Chung TKO 3 (12) 12 Oct 1987 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
32 Win 31–1 Chung Sup Chun KO 3 (10) 26 Jun 1987 Bangkok, Thailand
31 Win 30–1 Ellyas Pical TKO 14 (15) 28 Feb 1987 Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia Retained WBA super-flyweight title
30 Win 29–1 Israel Contreras KO 5 (15) 1 Nov 1986 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao Retained WBA super-flyweight title
29 Win 28–1 Edgar Monserrat TKO 2 (15) 23 Dec 1985 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
28 Win 27–1 Rafael Orono TKO 5 (15) 21 Jul 1985 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
27 Win 26–1 Dong Chun Lee KO 7 (15) 6 Mar 1985 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA super-flyweight title
26 Win 25–1 Eusebio Espinal KO 6 (15) 21 Nov 1984 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Won vacant WBA super-flyweight title
25 Win 24–1 Young Ri Moon KO 2 (10) 2 Sep 1984 Bangkok, Thailand
24 Win 23–1 Val de Vera TKO 7 (10) 11 Jul 1984 Bangkok, Thailand
23 Win 22–1 Jae Sung Uhm PTS 10 14 Mar 1984 Bangkok, Thailand
22 Win 21–1 Joe Shiranui TKO 4 (10) 14 Dec 1983 Bangkok, Thailand
21 Win 20–1 Gil Ragas TKO 7 (10) 12 Oct 1983 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
20 Win 19–1 Park Chan-yong PTS 10 3 Aug 1983 Bangkok, Thailand
19 Win 18–1 Luis Ibanez KO 3 (10) 10 May 1983 Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
18 Win 17–1 Jose Luis Soto KO 2 (10) 23 Feb 1983 Bangkok, Thailand
17 Win 16–1 Marciano Sekiyama KO 4 (10) 24 Dec 1982 Bangkok, Thailand
16 Win 15–1 Mun Kyun Joo KO 4 (10) 27 Nov 1982 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
15 Win 14–1 Willie Jensen KO 2 (10) 13 Oct 1982 Bangkok, Thailand
14 Win 13–1 Adan Uribe KO 4 (10) 26 Aug 1982 Bangkok, Thailand
13 Win 12–1 Agus Suyanto KO 4 (10) 14 Jul 1982 Bangkok, Thailand
12 Win 11–1 Ali Formentera KO 5 (10) 24 May 1982 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
11 Win 10–1 Yu-Ok Joo KO 4 (10) 14 Apr 1982 Bangkok, Thailand
10 Win 9–1 Katsuyuki Ohashi KO 3 (10) 10 Mar 1982 Bangkok, Thailand
9 Win 8–1 Sakdisamai Chorsirirat KO 7 (10) 25 Jan 1982 Bangkok, Thailand Won vacant Thai bantamweight title
8 Win 7–1 Tsuguyuki Toma KO 4 (10) 14 Oct 1981 Bangkok, Thailand
7 Loss 6–1 Sak Galaxy PTS 10 29 Jul 1981 Bangkok, Thailand For vacant Thai bantamweight title
6 Win 6–0 Phichitsuk Korusayarm PTS 6 24 Jun 1981 Bangkok, Thailand
5 Win 5–0 Thanee Singchaowal KO 1 (6) 10 Jun 1981 Bangkok, Thailand
4 Win 4–0 Tordsakdi Pornthavee KO 3 (6) 13 May 1981 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
3 Win 3–0 Prasong Sithkempetch KO 1 (6) 26 Jan 1981 Bangkok, Thailand
2 Win 2–0 Sentiang Sithkempetch KO 2 (6) 31 Dec 1980 Bangkok, Thailand
1 Win 1–0 Pook Sritam KO 5 (6) 17 Dec 1980 Bangkok, Thailand

References

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  1. ^ a b c "'เขาทราย' ทะลวงไส้มวยไทย 'สิ้นมนต์ขลัง' มั่นใจ 'ปาเกียว' เสร็จผมแน่!". Thairath (in Thai). 27 February 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Are These Really the 80 Best Boxers Ever?". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  3. ^ "Thai Pound For Pound ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e "แฟนพันธุ์แท้ 2013 3 พ.ค. 56 (เขาทราย)". Fan Pan Tae (in Thai). 2013-05-03. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  5. ^ "ย้อนรอยตำนานรัก(ร้าว) ยอดแชมป์โลก 'เขาทราย แกแล็คซี่'". Thairath (in Thai). 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  6. ^ "เขาทราย ยอมปริปาก บอกก็แค่แต่งงานเฉย ๆ เผย เตรียมแถลงข่าว". Kapook.com (in Thai). 27 March 2013.
  7. ^ "เขาทราย เฮ ภรรยาคลอดลูกสาวแล้ว ตั้งชื่อ น้องไข่มุก". Kapook.com (in Thai). 6 December 2013.
  8. ^ ""เขาทราย" ปลื้ม! ได้ลูกสาวคนที่ 2 "น้องโอลีฟ" เผยเรื่องน่าทึ่ง-ภรรยาสาวฝันก่อนเจ็บท้อง". Khaosod.co.th (in Thai). 4 December 2016.
  9. ^ "เขาทราย แกแล็คซี ทุ่มงบ 1.5 ล้านเปิดค่ายสอนมวยไทยยิมส์". Channel 7 (in Thai). 2 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  10. ^ "เขาทราย กาแล็คซี่ เปิดค่ายมวย ที่ จ.ภูเก็ต". Channel 7 (in Thai). 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  11. ^ "'เขาทราย' แนะสปอนเซอร์แจกเงินนักมวยแก้ปัญหาทองปลอม". Voice TV (in Thai). 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  12. ^ "หวลรำลึก บิ๊กอึ่ง - เอ็ดเวิร์ด ผู้ผลักดันมวยโลกไทย !! (ตอน 5 เรียกข้าว่า..ไอ้จ้อน)" [Reminiscing on Big Ung - Edward, who pushed the world Muay Thai !! (ep 5 call me..Jon)]. Khaosod (in Thai). 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Jiro Watanabe
WBA super-flyweight champion
21 November 1984 – 22 December 1991
Retired
Vacant
Title next held by
Katsuya Onizuka