Thai Boxing Legend Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym’s Journey
Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym is a Thai former professional boxer who reached the top of the flyweight division. His career is often introduced through his Muay Thai roots, but his documented world title was in professional boxing: he won the WBA flyweight championship in 1999 and held it until 2000.
From Muay Thai to a boxing world title
Sornpichai began in Muay Thai before building a professional boxing career. The record of that career is clear: on September 3, 1999, he knocked out reigning WBA flyweight champion Leo Gámez in the eighth round to claim the belt. It was a major win over a decorated Venezuelan champion and established Sornpichai as a world titleholder in the boxing ring.
He made a successful first defense against Gilberto González on April 8, 2000, stopping him in the fifth round. Four months later, on August 5, Sornpichai met unbeaten Eric Morel and lost the WBA title by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. The video above preserves a look at their meeting, a key contest in the short but significant championship run.
A champion’s place in Thai boxing
These results are the firm milestones of Sornpichai’s public boxing record. His WBA title belonged to professional boxing’s 112-pound division. His victory over Gámez, successful defense against González and loss to Morel define that championship sequence.
Sornpichai’s rise from a Thai striking background to a WBA world championship remains a notable chapter in the country’s boxing history. His title victory over Gámez and subsequent challenge against Morel show both the achievement and the demands of competing at the highest level of boxing.
Sources
- WBA: Leo Gámez biography
- BoxRec: WBA flyweight title fights
- Olympedia: Eric Morel profile and title win
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
