Surachai Saengmorakot: Boxing Career and Notable Fights
Surachai Saengmorakot was a Thai minimumweight who boxed professionally between 1993 and 2000. His record lists 31 bouts, with 25 wins and six losses.
One of those losses came against Mexican champion Ricardo López in September 1994. López stopped Saengmorakot in the first round while defending the WBC minimumweight title.
A career beyond the López challenge
Saengmorakot made his professional debut in Bangkok on March 31, 1993, defeating Kanpolek Sorkingstar by knockout. His early schedule took him to several Thai venues before the September 17, 1994, meeting with López at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The first-round title defeat did not end his career. He returned in November to stop Roger Espanola in Khon Kaen, then faced Nico Thomas twice during 1995. Thomas won both meetings on points, including their May contest in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Later results in Thailand
Saengmorakot’s subsequent wins included stoppages of Fernando Martinez in August 1995 and Phindile Ngingi in January 1997. Rolando Toyogon defeated him by unanimous decision in April 1997, but further victories followed.
In 1998, he outpointed Jerry Pahayahay and Juanito Rubillar in Bangkok. His final recorded year included a knockout win over Thuwachit Boongome in October 2000 and a points loss to Chiochan Buasuwan the following month. These results give a broader view of his boxing career than the brief López encounter alone.
Further career results
Saengmorakot continued facing international opposition after his championship challenges. In January 1997 he knocked out South Africa’s Phindile Ngingi in Nong Bua Lam Phu, then lost a unanimous decision to Rolando Toyogon in Udon Thani that April. His 1998 Bangkok results included unanimous-decision victories over Jerry Pahayahay in January and Juanito Rubillar in November, with an April knockout of Erdene Chuluun between them. His later ledger lists a points win over Ekapong Sorrakchart in October 1999 and a knockout win over Thuwachit Boongome in October 2000. A November 2000 points loss to Chiochan Buasuwan is the final entry in that record.
Sources
- BoxRec: Surachai Saengmorakot record
- Boxerlist: Surachai Saengmorakot bouts
- Ricardo López record: Saengmorakot title bout
