Kem Sitsongpeenong

Surasak Pakkhothakang (; born December 16, 1984), known professionally as Kem Sitsongpeenong is a Thai retired Muay Thai fighter and professional kickboxer.

Biography and career Kem Sitsongpeenong was born as Surasak Pakkhothakang (สุรศักดิ์ ปักโคทะกัง) in Maha Sarakham Province in Northeastern (Isan) region of Thailand on December 16, 1984. He had his first fight at the age of 13 in 1997.

Following a disappointing showing at the IFMA 2012 World Muaythai Championships where he lost out to Vitaly Gurkov in the finals to take bronze, Kem returned to the professional ranks on September 28, 2012 when he defeated Thepsuthin Pumpanmuang, Prakaysaeng Gaiyang 5 Daow and Sirimongkol Sitanuparp, respectively, to win the Toyota Vigo Marathon 2012.

Kem lost to eventual tournament winner Andy Souwer by majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 30-28) at the quarter-final stage of the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2012 on November 17, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan.

He was knocked out with a third round elbow by former stablemate Yodsaenklai Fairtex at Muay Thai Combat Mania: Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand on December 30, 2012.

Kem fought to a draw with Jordan Watson in a three round bout at Yokkao Extreme 2013 on January 26, 2013 in Milan, Italy.

He floored Mickael Piscitello with elbows numerous times en route to a unanimous decision win at Best of Siam 3 in Paris, France, on February 14, 2013.

On May 6, 2013, Kem defeated Dylan Salvador by unanimous decision at MAX Muay Thai 1 in Surin, Thailand.

It was reported that he would fight Mehdi Zatout at the WBC World Muay Thai Millennium Championship in Saint-Pierre, Réunion on September 7, 2013. However, he denied ever being on the card.

He was expected to fight at MAX Muay Thai 2 in Jakarta, Indonesia on June 29, 2013 but withdrew for undisclosed reasons.

He KO'd Maiki Karathanasis with a third round elbow at MAX Muay Thai 3 in Zhengzhou, China on August 10, 2013.

He beat Vahid Roshani by decision at MAX Muay Thai 5: The Final Chapter in Khon Kaen, Thailand on December 10, 2013.

Kem lost the WBC Muaythai World Super Welterweight (-69.8 kg/154 lb) Championship when he was defeated by Vitaly Gurkov via decision at Ring Wars in Milan, Italy, on January 25, 2014.

Kem competed in the welterweight (-70 kg/154 lb) tournament at Xtreme Muay Thai 2014 in Kowloon, Hong Kong on March 29, 2014, and was initially set to face Seyedisa Alamdarnezam in the semi-finals. His opponent was later changed to Victor Nagbe, who knocked out Kem with a second round high kick.

He defeated Singmanee Kaewsamrit via TKO due to a cut in round two at Muay Thai in Macau on June 6, 2014.

Titles and achievements Professional Toyota Marathon 2012 Toyota Vigo Marathon Tournament Champion (154 lbs)

World Boxing Council Muaythai 2012 WBC World Muaythai Super Welterweight (154 lbs) Champion

THAI FIGHT 2011 Thai Fight Tournament -67 kg Champion

Isuzu Cup 2011 21st Isuzu Cup Winner

La Nuit Des Champions 2010 NDC Muaythai -70 kg Champion 2009 NDC Muaythai -67 kg Champion

Explosion Fight Night 2010 Explosion Fight Night Volume 01 Tournament (71 kg) Winner

Muay Thai Association 2009 MTA Muaythai World 69 kg champion

World Muaythai Council 2009 WMC Super Welterweight (154 lbs) World champion 2008 WMC/S-1 King's Cup tournament champion

Rajadamnern Stadium 2006 Rajadamnern Stadium Super Featherweight (130 lbs) champion

Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (PAT) 2002 Thailand Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) champion 2009 Thailand Super Welterweight (154 lbs) champion

Amateur International Federation of Muaythai Associations 2012 I.F.M.A. World Championships -71 kg Bronze

Fight record