TalkingSports
EDWARD THANGARAJAH
Payao Poontarat used to be a flower-seller in Pattaya because he couldn't bear his brothers living in hunger.
But as fate would have it, his independent outlook in life carried him along the road to success.
Born in Bang Saphan, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Payao took to Muay Thai like all Thai fighters and graduated to the Queensbury rules of fighting in which he exhibited outstanding talent.
As an amateur, he shone in the sport and rose step-by-step up the ladder of fame.
His guts and talent carried him far.
Payao was a born fighter, hence it will be a grave omission, if the initial Olympic success he earned for the country at the 1976 Montreal Games isn't reflected upon just when the Kingdom is preparing to take part in the 29th Games in Beijing.
Besides, the late Payao could be a great model to all Thai youngsters because he never shirked challenges in life. However tough the tasks were, he faced them with absolute confidence. He stood up to all challenges like the great fighter he was.
After winning a bronze medal in Montreal, he told many that life had always been a challenge and he loved to face them because it brought so much excitement.
Payao fought his way through and cleared several obstacles in his life.
Perhaps that's what took him out into the streets to sell flowers when he found that his poor father was unable to fend for the family.
He graduated into an amateur boxer of great ability and that's how he won for Thailand its first Olympic medal. Though a bronze, he beat the 1972 Munich Olympic champion, Gyogy Gedo of Hungary, in an exciting quarter-final in the 1976 Games.
Gedo was tough and strong and was filled with confidence and experience, but Payao beat him.
After that sensational triumph, Payao started to train very hard hoping to compete in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 and win a gold for the Kingdom.
But as fate would have it, Thailand did not take part in the Games.
A disheartened Payao quit amateur boxing and entered the professional ranks with a Filipino promoter.
The late Sahasombhop Srisomvongse was also looking for a capable Thai pugilist to win the first world title for Thailand in three years.
The last two Thai world champions Saensak Muangsurin and the late Netrnoi Sorvorasingh had lost 1980 in Korea and until November 27, 1983 Thailand had no world champions.
Several promoters tried hard to produce a world champion but all failed despite spending a lot of money.
With the doors virtually closed, the late Sahasombhop came on the scene and tried hard to create a strong fighter who could win the title. Pongpan Sor Phyathai tried his best to win the world super-bantamweight crown but lost to American Juan Kid Meza in a qualifier.
With everything almost falling apart, Payao came on the scene.
I still remember him telling Sahasombhop that he was ready to take on anyone and win the world title for Thailand. Sahasombhop employed British coach Charles Atkinson to teach Thai fighters the proper style of boxing.
Payao came under the tutelage of Atkinson and was taught how to box, how to throw punches and how to avoid being hit.
Sahasombhop gave Payao five stiff tests against tough opponents and he beat them all quite comfortably. He was convinced that Payao was ready to fight for the title.
On November 27, 1983, Payao faced tough world super-flyweight champion Rafael Orono of Venezuela.
Sahasombhop invited WBC president Jose Sulaiman to Thailand as the title fight was held at the Asia Hotel in Pattaya before a jam-packed crowd. And Payao shocked everyone by winning the title via split decision. He thus opened the doors which had been shut for Thai fighters to earn world titles.
In his first defence of the title, he was put through a tough test by Orono's manager Rafito Cedeno who held an option on Payao. He was pitted against a strong Mexican opponent, Guty Espadas, at the Rachadamneon Stadium.
When everyone thought that Payao was losing because he was far behind on points, he produced a stunning 10th-round knockout victory, much to the delight of all Thai fans.
In 1984, Payao was challenged by WBA champion Jiro Watanabe. Payao was outpointed at the Castle Hall in Osaka in a fight many, including several Japanese spectators, said the Thai was robbed of the decision.
The WBC reviewed the tape of the fight and ordered an immediate rematch which Payao lost via a 11th-round technical knockout.
But the fact remains, that Payao had embossed his name as the only Thai fighter to have won an Olympic medal and a world title.
No-one else in the Kingdom has achieved that honour.
Edward Thangarajah is a freelance writer.
Prev
1
2
3
Next
