Ratanapol Sor Vorapin


Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, formerly Anucha Phothong ) is a Thai former professional boxer. He is the older brother of former World Boxing Organization Bantamweight champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.

Early life

Vorapin was born on June 6, 1974, to Somjai and Somjit Phothong in Dan Khun Thot, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Despite having large amounts of land, Vorapin, his parents, and his 14 siblings were impoverished farmers, as the mountainous ground was poor soil for agriculture. Because of his poverty, he became a boxer at age fourteen in Muaythai using the names "Tonaonoy Toichainee" and "Lion Luknamjai" sponsored by Yindee Juntacup, a local celebrity.

Professional career

Vorapin traveled to Bangkok to fight Muaythai under Sor Vorapin Boxing Gym. The name "Ratanapol" is actually the name of another fighter. Going pro in 1990, Ratanapol fought in the place of Chana Porpaoin, out because of his injured nose, and defeated his opponent. Because of that victory, he received serious support.
When Fahlan Lukmingkwan lost the IBF Mini flyweight championship to Filipino Manny Melchor in mid-1992, Ratanapol was encouraged by Sr. Col. Banju Ongsangkune and Suchart "Pe Poster" Kerdmek to return to Thailand. On December 10, 1992, at Nimibutr Stadium, he scored a 12-round split decision victory over Manny Melchor to win the Mini flyweight title. He would defend that title against twelve boxers, but he lost the title on the scales on March 15, 1996, because he could not make his weight 105 pounds to qualify. On May 18 the same year, however, he returned as the world champion and he retained it six times until December 27, 1997, when he received a 5th-round TKO loss to South African Zolani Petelo at Songkhla province, southern Thailand.
He had two unsuccessful attempts at the IBF Junior flyweight title, first dropping a unanimous decision to Will Grigsby on December 18, 1998. And then on December 2, 2000, he received a 3rd-round TKO loss to Mexican Ricardo "El Finito" López in Las Vegas. Near the end of the career, he changed his manager to Kokiet "Sia Ko" Panichyarom of Kokiet Group and promoted to Flyweight and won the PABA title.

Boxing style

Ratanapol had a heavy left punch and a long reach but little footwork or agility. His right hand was used mainly to judge distance for his left, similar to the famed Khaosai Galaxy, even receiving the nickname "Little Khaosai" from Thai boxing fans.
In addition every time before the bout, he shouted "Chaiyo...Chaiyo...Ya Mo Ok Suek!!" to create a frenzy.

Retirement

After retirement, Ratanapol's life was very difficult. Burdened by debt, he sold street vendor noodles in Bang Lamphu neighborhood near Sor Vorapin Boxing Gym with his wife, and sold DVDs of his own biography on the Bangkok streets. At the most stressful moments, he attempted suicide by hanging with an electric wire He also received ordination at Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Politics

In politically Ratnapol alliance with the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or Red Shirts, and joined the protesters on several occasions such as 2005–06 Thai political crisis, or 2013–14 Thai political crisis etc.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
68Loss59–8–1Rey MigrenoKO5Jul 10, 2009 Phuket, ThailandLost PABA Flyweight Title
67Win59–7–1Wido PaezKO3May 07, 2009 Phattalung, ThailandWon PABA Flyweight Title
66Win58–7–1Noriyuki KomatsuTKO3Feb 08, 2009 IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan
65Win57–7–1Wanlop SawangwongKO3Nov 26, 2008 Mukdahan, Thailand
64Loss56–7–1Richard GarciaMD11Oct 03, 2008 Nakhon Ratchasima, ThailandLost PABA Flyweight Title
63Win56–6–1Fang ShuaiKO1Jul 16, 2008 Phattalung, ThailandRetained PABA Flyweight Title
62Win55–6–1Juharum SilabanKO3May 23, 2008 Kalasin, ThailandRetained PABA Flyweight Title
61Win54–6–1Sam BurdamKO2Apr 15, 2008 Nakhon Phanom, ThailandRetained PABA Flyweight Title
60Win53–6–1Pingping TepuraTKO2Feb 14, 2008 Minburi, ThailandRetained PABA Flyweight Title
59Win52–6–1Alwi AlhabsyiKO1Nov 16, 2007 Surat Thani, ThailandWon vacant PABA Flyweight Title
58Win51–6–1Yanus EmauryKO3Oct 03, 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
57Win50–6–1Gui Yao BoKO3Jul 24, 2007 Mahasarakam, Thailand
56Win49–6–1Takayuki OkumotoTKO2May 29, 2007 Kalasin, Thailand
55Win48–6–1Edwin EzekielKO1Mar 29, 2007 Phichit, Thailand
54Win47–6–1Hendrik BarongsayKO3Jan 31, 2007 Nonthaburi, Thailand
53Win46–6–1Christian ColladoUD6Oct 04, 2006 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
52Win45–6–1Edo ResilayKO1Aug 16, 2006 Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
51Win44–6–1Masatsugu Okada6May 10, 2006 Yasothon, Thailand
50Win43–6–1Ratazu MatsuiKO2Feb 22, 2006 Mae Hong Son, Thailand
49Win42–6–1Alex BuckieTKO4Nov 21, 2005 Bangkok, Thailand
48Win41–6–1Dicky TimorKO1Oct 04, 2005 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
47Win40–6–1Arbon BeyerKO3Sep 02, 2005 Nonthaburi, Thailand
46Win39–6–1Alex BuckieUD12Aug 05, 2005 Patong Beach, Patong, Thailand
45Loss38–6–1Ricardo LópezTKO3, 2:11Dec 02, 2000 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, U.S.AFor IBF Light Flyweight Title
44Loss38–5–1Yura DimaKO2 Nov 05, 1999 Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
43Win38–4–1Jerry RosalesKO4 Sep 03, 1999 Mukdahan Grand Hotel Arena, Mukdahan, Thailand
42Loss37–4–1Will GrigsbyUD12Dec 18, 1998 Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, U.S.AFor vacant IBF Light Flyweight Title
41Win37–3–1Alpong NavajaPTS10Sep 20, 1998 Samut Prakan, Thailand
40Win36–3–1Leo RamirezTKO2 Aug 12, 1998 Ratchadaphisek, Thailand
39Win35–3–1Jerry PahayahayTKO4 Jun 05, 1998 Bangkok, Thailand
38Loss34–3–1Zolani PeteloTKO4, 2:00Dec 27, 1997 Provincial Military Stadium, Songkhla, ThailandLost IBF Minimumweight Title
37Win34–2–1Wellington VicenteTKO2 Aug 30, 1997 Indoor Provincial Stadium, Nong Khai, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
36Win33–2–1Juan HerreraUD12Jun 14, 1997 Ban Rai School, Nakhon Ratchasima, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
35Win32–2–1Luis DoriaTKO4 Mar 22, 1997 Provincial Stadium, Sara Buri, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
34Win31–2–1Eddie FelisildaKO5 Jan 18, 1997 Provincial Stadium, Udon Thani, Thailand
33Win30–2–1Gustavo VeraKO2 Nov 24, 1996 Provincial Stadium, Udon Thani, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
32Win29–2–1Oscar AndradeKO5 Sep 28, 1996 Provincial Stadium, Prachuap Khiri Khan, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
31Win28–2–1Jun OrhalizaKO3 Jul 13, 1996 Provincial Stadium, Yala, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
30Win27–2–1Jun ArlosUD12May 18, 1996 Provincial Stadium, Yala, ThailandWon vacant IBF Minimumweight Title
29Win26–2–1Lee SandovalTKO11 Mar 16, 1996 Si Sa Ket, ThailandFor vacant IBF Minimumweight Title;
Title on stake for Sandoval only as Ratanapol failed to make weight
28Win25–2–1Osvaldo GuerreroTKO6 Dec 30, 1995 Chakkam Khanathon School, Lumphun, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
27Win24–2–1Jack RussellKO2 Oct 29, 1995 Provincial Stadium, Suphan Buri, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
26Win23–2–1Dario OlarteTKO2 Aug 20, 1995 Bangkok, Thailand
25Win22–2–1Oscar Alfonso FloresTKO2 May 20, 1995 Municipal Soccer Stadium, Chiang Mai, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
24Win21–2–1Jerry PahayahayTKO3 Feb 25, 1995 Zeer Shopping Center, Rangsit, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
23Win20–2–1Carlos Alberto RodriguezTKO3 Nov 12, 1994 University Stadium, Khon Kaen, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
22Win19–2–1Marcelino BolivarTKO4 Aug 20, 1994 Buriram, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
21Win18–2–1Roger EspanolaTKO6 May 14, 1994 Sara Buri, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
20Win17–2–1Ronnie Magramo12Feb 27, 1994 Provincial Stadium, Phichit, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
19Win16–2–1Felix NaranjoTKO2 Dec 10, 1993 Provincial Stadium, Suphan Buri, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
18Win15–2–1Domingus SiwaletteTKO4 Sep 26, 1993 Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
17Win14–2–1Ala VillamorTKO7 Jun 27, 1993 National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
16Win13–2–1Nico ThomasKO7 Mar 14, 1993 Suranaree Camp Stadium, Nakhon Ratchasima, ThailandRetained IBF Minimumweight Title
15Win12–2–1Manny Melchor12Dec 10, 1992 National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, ThailandWon IBF Minimumweight Title
14Win11–2–1Al TarazonaKO5 Sep 06, 1992 Crocodile Farm, Samut Prakan, Thailand
13Win10–2–1Husni RayKO4 Jun 14, 1992 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
12Win9–2–1Ali Moril3 Feb 23, 1992 Sunarunchan Stadium, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
11Win8–2–1Teelek SorthanikulTKO5 Jan 29, 1992 Bangkok, Thailand
10Loss7–2–1Aswin SithlakmuangTKO3 Dec 23, 1991 Bangkok, Thailand
9Win7–1–1Dao SingkrungthonTKO4 Sep 23, 1991 Bangkok, Thailand
8Loss6–1–1Aswin SithlakmuangPTS10Jul 17, 1991 Bangkok, Thailand
7Win6–0–1Kom SorthanikulPTS6Jun 17, 1991 Bangkok, Thailand
6Win5–0–1Dao SingkrungthonPTS6Mar 28, 1991 Bangkok, Thailand
5Win4–0–1Dao SingkrungthonPTS6Feb 07, 1991 Bangkok, Thailand
4Win3–0–1Rome SalothornTKO3 Jan 10, 1991 Bangkok, Thailand
3Win2–0–1Inseethong Sorthanikul2 Nov 22, 1990 Bangkok, Thailand
2Draw1–0–1Inseethong Sorthanikul4Nov 01, 1990 Bangkok, Thailand
1Win1–0Anusit Chokemchart1 Oct 04, 1990 Bangkok, Thailand

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:
Regional & International Titles: