Kongtoranee Payakaroon


Kongtoranee Payakaroon is a retired Thai Muay Thai fighter and professional boxer in the 80s and early 90s, he is the older brother of legendary Samart Payakroon.

Muay Thai career

Kongtoranee started his career from Muay Thai at the age of 11 before the brother, Samart. The brothers have the same trainer is Yodtong " Kru Tui" Senanan. Later, he became famous in the Amphoe Bang Lamung, eastern Thailand. In 1977, when he was 17 he came to Bangkok for as fighter under the famous promoter, Songchai Rattanasuban along with Samart, and since then, he has become a famous and favorite Muay Thai fighter. He fought with many famous fighters, such as Bangkhlanoi Sor Thanigul, Samransak Muangsurin, Chamuakpetch Hapalang, Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai, Petdum Look Borai. His maximum salary is 120,000 baht in fight against Samingnoom Sithiboonthum at Rajadamnern Stadium. He won five different weight championships of the Lumpinee Stadium during 1978–84.

Professional career

Kongtoranee debut on April 2, 1985 by defeating fellow-countryman Payao Poontarat, who is a former WBC Super flyweight champion. He made a total of nine wins before challenge Gilberto Román, WBC Super flyweight holder on December 19, 1986 at Indoor Stadium Huamark. He was unanimously defeated with a traumatized body.
He continued to fight three more times until he was ranked #1 of WBA Junior bantamweight. On January 28, 1988 he challenge with fellow Thai boxer Khaosai Galaxy, who is the holder at Lumpinee Stadium.
In the fight, Kongtoranee wore blue trunk with gold stripe and golden boots, he used hit-and-run tactics through 12 round and although he was able knock down Khaosai in the fifth round. After the bout, he shouted confidently that he would definitely win including his fans and his manager too. But when the results are announced he is defeated. His manager, Songchai Rattanasuban churned out anger and shouted this fight were cheated.

Retirement

After failing to challenge the world champion twice, he returned to Mauy Thai again until retired in 1990, after retirement he went on to become a Muay Thai trainer in Japan for two years.
Later, he was an assistant trainer for Yodtong's Muay Thai gym. In addition, he also went to train Muay Thai in Baku, Azerbaijan as well.
Currently, he was the transfer of Muay Thai gym from his brother, Samart Payakaroon after Samart divorced his wife.

Titles

Muay Thai honors: