Y2K Comeback
The Lumpinee lights came on, and the air conditioner began to shutter. Cool air breezed through the stadium, and all of the staff breathed a sigh of relief. The summers in Thailand are always hot, and backstage, Y2K was cooking.
The former WBC Muay Thai champion switched to MMA years ago. It came with plenty of storms.
He went on a three-fight losing streak at ONE Championship, and his contract was not renewed. He fought a few more times, and to pay the bills, he took on matches at Lumpinee. He won.
Then he got a fight offer. He would take on Kim Jong Pil. It was a special bout—the main event for a collaboration show between Fairtex Fight and Korean promotion, Ring Championship. His opponent, Kim Jong Pil came from Korea.
When the bout began Y2K kept it where he works the best, on his feet. He was a southpaw. He punched. He kicked. In the later rounds, he was taken to the ground but he got back up.
Y2K needed redemption and the win.
He got it via decision.
Afterwards in the backroom, he cooled down. The heat of the ring and of the Isaan summer weren’t so hot now. He looked in the mirror and smiled.
An Englishman In Thailand
(In this Photo: BGV1- White)
Harris started coming to Fairtex years ago.
“I started when I was 16,” the Englishman said.
He makes an annual stint to the Land of Smiles and to Fairtex. His gym Dojo Combat Sports was started by his dad Neil Butkeraitis. The older Butkeraiti's background is in kickboxing.
Harris though does BJJ and Muay Thai. On his last visit to Thailand he fought at JF Stadium.
This time he’s just come to train. In a recent competition in the UK, he tore ligaments in his foot.
“Next year maybe I’ll fight,” he said.
Does Kongseuk Have A Plan
(In this Photo: LKP1 Kick Pads)
The former Lumpinee champion faces Muangthai PK Saenchai soon. He won his last fight against Yodlekpetch Or Pitisak on points.
“I didn’t have a plan against Yodlekpetch,” he said after winning the fight.
Now for his next fight, he doesn’t have a plan.
But his cornerman does. Y2K is training him for his fight against Muangthai. The PK Saenchai fighter is known for his walk forward style and devastating elbows.
“I want him to punch more,” Y2K said. “I want him to win by KO.”
Kongseuk’s boxing is improving. He works with the Filipino boxing coaches. Every day he’s throwing more leather. He’s becoming more precise, and maybe he might just be fit enough for the KO punch.
Shir is A Contender
(In this Photo: SB2 Speed Bag)
The battle against Amy Pirnie was a rollercoaster.
Shir Cohen was hydrated when she left her room for the weigh ins. But when she got there the test said otherwise. She tried to make it but ONE Championship said there would be no catchweight bouts.
She went back to her room and cried. The next day ONE Championship changed their mind. If she could make weight, if she could make hydration she could fight. She did and the fight was on that morning.
It was a lot of emotions. Her coach told her to forget everything.
But she didn’t forget how to fight. She won the bout on points. She’s moving up the ranks.
“I was happy,” Cohen said. “I will fight a few more fights until the belt.”
Whatever the future holds there is one obvious answer, Shir Cohen is a contender. When there is a challenge, she can beat it.
Tatum Dorn Makes A Lumpinee Debut
(In this Photo: Thai Pride Gloves)
Dorn comes from Arizona. The home of Bob Chandler. The American coach was one of the few foreigners involved in Fairtex Arizona.
Mr. Wong built the gym in Arizona to help grow the sport and as a business.
“I cannot sell fried chicken to compete with KFC,” Mr. Wong said. “I think the only way I can win is open the Muay Thai gym.”
So with the help of Karmel, he opened a gym. The gym thrived for several years in the 90’s until Mr. Wong returned to Thailand.
And Karmel kept the lessons he learned. He opened a gym, Golder Era Muay Thai. He sent Tatum Dorn to Fairtex to learn valuable lessons.
Dorn is matched at Fairtex Fight on October 19th.
She’s dropped weight in preparation.
“It was a gradual process of losing weight,” Dorn said.
It’s her first bout at the stadium. She’s excited.
“You just show up and fight,” she said.
She’ll take on Martina PK Saenchai Muay Thai gym at 68kg.
Fight Camp Feelings With Kendu
In this Photo: Fairtex Short, KPLC5- Black
There’s always something about fighting. The ups, the downs, the rollercoaster of emotions.
Above all, it’s a grind. The fighters must mentally buckle down and focus on their fight.
Kendu Irving is lined up to go into the ring again.
“It’s way too long away for me to be excited,” he said.
His fight is almost 4 weeks away as of this writing.
“As it gets closer there is excitement and trepidation,” the NYC native said.
He performed well in his last fight. He won by KO and received a bonus of 350,000 baht. It was enough for him to live comfortably in Thailand.
After the fight bout, he plans on going back to New York for the holidays. He’s been in Thailand and at Fairtex for over 2 years. He wants a rest and a win.
Until then it’s fight camp feelings for Irving.
Author: Matt Lucas
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