Anuwat Kaewsamrit

Apisak Rongpichai (; born November 17, 1981), known professionally as Anuwat Kaewsamrit , is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a one-time Lumpinee Stadium champion and four-time Rajadamnern Stadium champion across four divisions, as well as the 2003 and 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year, who was famous in the 1990s and 2000s. Nicknamed "The Iron Hands of Siam", he was known for his powerful and technical punching ability. Now he's currently the head coach of Impax Academy Thailand.

Biography

Early life

Anuwat Kaewsamrit was born as Apisak Rongpichai in Nakhon Si Thammarat province in the south of Thailand on November 17, 1981. At the age of 13, he went to Bangkok to stay with a friend, who was training at the newly formed Kaewsamrit camp. At first, Anuwat was a gym assistant, but decided to join the gym as a trainee. After his first 6 month training period, he had his first fight at the age of 14 in Pattaya.

On October 31, 1998, when he was 17 years old, he had his first foreign bout against Hinari Fukatsu who was the current Japanese national champion of SNKA at flyweight in Japan. He knocked down Fukatsu twice in the 4th round and twice in 5th round. The referee stopped the bout at the second knock down in 5th round.

Winning national titles

Two years later, after 35 fights, he the got chance to fight for his first stadium title. On November 18, 1998, Anuwat knocked out Klangsuan Sasiprapa Gym in the 4th round and he won the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Mini flyweight (105 lb, 47.727 kg).

On June 10, 1999, he won his second title by beating Kayasit Sakmuangklaeng for the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Junior flyweight.

Winning world titles

In 2005, World Boxing Council (WBC) established new championships of Muay Thai and Anuwat was offered for its title. He fought against Singtongnoi Por.Telakun for the vacant first WBC Muay Thai title at featherweight on October 19, 2006. He won his first world title in his career with TKO in 3rd round.

On August 22, 2008, he fought against Santipab Sit. Au. Ubon at Lumpinee Stadium for the vacant title of WPMF World featherweight title. He won by split decision at 5R.

On March 1, 2009, he had a defending match against Shunta from Japan for WPMF World Featherweight title in the event of "M.I.D Japan presents M-1 Fairtex Muay Thai Challenge 2009 Yod Nak Suu vol.1". He knocked down Shunta with a left hook in the 1st round and the referee stopped the bout when Anuwat knocked down Shunta with a right hook.

On June 26, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Anuwat challenged Liam Harrison's WMC World Lightweight title, and won by TKO of the third round with right low kicks.

On July 11, 2010, in Ariake, Tokyo, Anuwat was scheduled to defend his WPMF Featherweight title against Shin Saenchigym from Japan. He scored a knockout with a right cross in 5th round, retaining his title.

Titles and accomplishments

Rajadamnern Stadium 1998 Rajadamnern Mini Flyweight (105 lbs) Champion 1999 Rajadamnern Light Flyweight (108 lbs) Champion 1999 Rajadamnern Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion 2003 Rajadamnern Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion Two successful title defenses 2004 Rajadamnern Stadium Fighter of the Year 2004 Rajadamnern Stadium Fight of the Year (vs. Seanchernglak Jirakrengkrai) 2010 Rajadamnern Super Featherweight (130 lbs) Champion

World Muaythai Council 2009 WMC World Lightweight (135 lbs) Champion

Lumpinee Stadium 2005 Lumpinee Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion

Onesongchai Promotion S1 World Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion

World Professional Muaythai Federation 2008 WPMF World Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion

World Boxing Council MuayThai 2006 WBC MuayThai World Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion

Omnoi Stadium 2004 Omnoi Stadium Super Bantamweight (126 lbs) Champion 2004 14th Isuzu Cup Tournament Winner

Awards

2005 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year 2004 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year (vs Singdam Kiatmuu9) 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year 2003 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year

Fight record