Appearing in relative anonymity on each year’s International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot forms, the name Veeraphol Sahaprom is one of the many overlooked by electors every 12 months. The legendary Thai’s record of 66-4-3 (46 KOs), with 14 defenses of his WBC bantamweight crown between 1998 and 2005, consistently takes a back seat to the achievements of the era’s fighters who competed in mainstream markets and those who commanded greater box office revenue. All of the straight counters detonated on the chins of Sahaprom’s opponents by his lethal right hand have merely led to an out-of-luck all-time great falling just short of a spot at Canastota.
Those calling the Asian combat sports hotbed home have a rather different perspective, though, and for light-flyweight title aspirant Thonongsak Simsri (38-1, 34 KOs), the man known as “Death Mask” and the nation’s many ex-champions, such as Chatchai Sasakul and Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym, provide a constant source of inspiration. With Thailand presently boasting just one world titlist, the 24-year-old is aiming to double his homeland’s tally of belt holders when he meets Cristian Araneta (25-2, 20 KOs) in Tokyo on June 19 for the vacant IBF strap. He also hopes the contest will be the starting point of a run that emulates the reigns of his heroes.
“I want to make boxing in Thailand popular again like it was 20-30 years ago when Thailand had many famous world champions,” Simsri told FightsATW.com. “There are many boxers in my country who are talented, but they all lack sponsors, so I want to make boxing in my country popular again so that everyone can have the same opportunities that I did. I will do my best in this fight.”
Entering his title shot on a 14-fight win streak, Simsri will aim to showcase the development of his game, particularly the calculated approach he has begun to incorporate into his fights. In his biggest test against world-class opposition to date, the Bangkok-based combatant suffered a brutal seventh-round knockout loss to Japanese dual-weight world champion Masamichi Yabuki (18-4, 17 KOs), the lone defeat in his 39-fight career to date.
On that night in 2022, Simsri found himself on the end of a devastating left hook as he exited the pocket with his hands down. Since then, however, those working close by in camp, namely trainer and manager Ookami Tora, have noticed a commitment to eliminating the reckless elements of his approach. In fighting Araneta, there is an appreciation for the danger posed by the hard-hitting Filipino, with belief within The Wolf Boxing Gym being that a mistake akin to the one made in the Yabuki contest will spell a similar fate.
“After that defeat, Thanongsak became more careful in his fights,” Tora declared. “Every fight is an important fight, and Filipino boxers are good boxers, so we will not be careless in any case.”
Some that have shared the ring with Simsri in the period since his sole loss recall a versatile, selective fighter standing in front of them. One such fighter is Australia’s Alex Winwood (4-1, 2 KOs). Having based himself in Thailand for camp in the lead-up to his challenge for the Knockout CP Freshmart’s (27-1, 10 KOs) WBA minimumweight title in 2024, he remembers sparring daily with a man who, at the time, he knew simply as “Son.” The many rounds shared in the smothering dry heat left an impression on the Tokyo 2020 Olympian.
“We shared the ring together for a few weeks, and he was a very crafty boxer,” Winwood said of Simsri. “He was very good at picking his spots to throw from and a boxer who can box at range and close. He’s a top-level boxer, and it will be interesting to see his performance on the biggest stage.”
With clear improvements behind him, it seems all that is left to do now is produce on fight night. Winning is one thing, but adding his name to the history books of a proud fighting nation is what stokes the flame for Simsri. As he strives to put Thailand back on boxing’s world map, expect a few of the same punishing right counters, the trademark of his hero Sahaprom, thrown in for good measure.
“Arareta is a strong and talented fighter. I am glad to compete with him. It will be a match that everyone will enjoy,” Simsri concluded. “It’s another challenge for me, and I will show everyone that there are still Thai boxers with world-class ability.”
Quotes from Thanongsak Simsri in this article have been translated by trainer and manager Ookami Tora
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