For Kru Hern Muay Thai is in his blood. Like many Thai athletes and trainers, he grew up in the sport.
He grew up in Chonburi province. Staying in the seaside city of Pattaya he learned how to fight. He began at Sityodtong gym. The legendary establishment began under Kru Yodtong in the late 1950s.
Sityodtong gave birth to legendary fighters such as Samart Payakaroon. It was known for its technical style.
“I’ve had 170 fights or more,” Kru Hern said.
The fights come in thick for Thais because the athletes start young. Child fighters often compete multiple times a month. Local fairs and festivals usually give them opportunities to fight.
And after fighters retire, there is a life as a trainer.
“I’ve been here for 5 years at Fairtex,” he said.
In the past 5 years, he’s cornered countless athletes at ONE Championship, Superchamp, Fairtex Fight, and other locations.
In this photo, Kru Hern is sporting the classic Fairtex Fight Team shirt. Standing at 5’10” Hern wears an extra large. The shirt is made of microfiber. It is breathable and quick to dry.
Everyone starts somewhere. For Mo Herard it started at Fairtex. The gym focuses on high level athletes.
And Herard wants to get there. So he started at the beginning. He came to the gym and started to do the work.
He fought at JF Stadium.
“I learned not to be scared,” Herard said. “I didn’t have any preconceived notions of what it would be like. It helped that I didn’t have any pressure.”
The opportunities to fight decrease the pressure on each fight. In addition, since there are so many bouts so often, a singular fight's value decreases.
Herard wants to fight again.
“When I get back from my trip home I want to take a fight within two weeks. Then I want to fight every month or two,” he said.
The regularity of fights will help he gain ring skills and experience.
“I want to get over any lingering fears. I know that the worst thing that will happen is you get punched in the face.”
Mr. Herard is launching a leg kick into the Fairtex LKP1 – or leg kick pad. The suitcase is made of multi layer foam padding. Its exterior is heavy duty water resistant signature synthetic leather. The Thai suitcase like leg kicks are a stable of the sport.
In the fight game, there are ups and downs. Kongdech Fairtex experienced both. He performed well. He won a belt at Lumpinee. Then he broke his nose. The breakage and subsequent stoppages sent him to the sidelines.
Now he’s lined up for Fairtex Fight in Macau.
“I’m happy,” he said. “I’m 100% strong.”
In preparation for the bout he’s working diligently with Kru Virak. The two of them work pads for 8 to 9 rounds. Each round is 5 minutes long.
The show pits Thai athletes against locals.
I’m team Thailand,” Kongdech said. “I’m the first of the Thais on the card.”
Kongdech fights on August 24th in Macau. The show will be at The Londoner.
The athlete swings his leg up and over for a head kick. His trainer, Kru Virak, is using the classic Fairtex Muay Thai curved pads. Lighter than standard Thai pads they are perfect for absorbing kicks to the body or in this case to the head.
Over 200 fights and what did Nongamm learn?
“You must tolerate a lot and not give up,” she said.
Nongamm was a low level fighter. She fought in the North of Thailand. Then she moved to Hua Hin. She opened a gym with a friend.
Hong, the promoter for Fairtex Fight spotted her. He gave her a chance to fight at Lumpinee.
“I have gotten good opportunities a few times and have to do my best,” she said,
And she did more than her best. She fought her heart out and won. She was given a sponsorship to Fairtex and appeared on ONE Lumpinee several times.
But ultimately she’s learned never to give up.
Nongamm is sporting Fairtex Muay Thai shorts in a xs. She weighs 50kg about 110 lbs. The high waisted shorts are slim cut with a thick elastic waistband.
In the gym, you learn from doing. You also learn from watching.
American athlete Kendu Irving studies the other boxers.
“I like to watch. Seeing mistakes, seeing what the other boxers do well,” Irving said.
Irving is temporarily out of commission. He fought on ONE Lumpinee and broke his nose. He won the bout by KO but it has him on the sidelines. In the meantime, he’s a student of the game.
“I learn from watching and doing,” he said.
There is history behind every fighter. And that history is usually in the trainer.
Kru Tum fought as Sakmongkol Petchsupaan. For the last two years, he’s trained fights at Fairtex. Born in Sisaket he’s racked up 2-300 bouts.
“I was never champion.” He said. “My highest purse was 25,000 baht. I fought at out fo the Old Lumpinee.”
He trained at Petchsupaan gym. The establishment was known for its strong fimeu fighters. It created athletes like Koanar PK Saenchai and Fahmongkol. The latter was an Isuzu champion and beat Kaew Fairtex.
“I fought for Petchsupaan promotion,” he said. Like Fairtex, the gym was also a promoter. Now’s he building young Petch up to be the next star. The diamond from Sitsawatseua gym came to Fairtex with Kompetch and Kongseuk.
With hundreds of fights, he’s teaching Petch and others the tricks of the trade.
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