Pone Kingpetch

Pone Kingpetch also known as Mana Seedokbuab is a professional Thai boxer born in Hua Hin, Thailand on February 12,1935. As a boxer, he used his long reach to jab and unbalance his opponents. His feet were used well in order to maneuver himself out of trouble’s way quickly.

Kingpetch went through 3 amateur fights before he turned in to a professional and first gained world recognition during the third year of his career – the first of which is when he defeated a well known tough boxer, Danny Kid of the Philippines in 1957 after 12 rounds in which he won the Oriental flyweight title.

This three time world flyweight champion is known to be Thailand’s first world boxing champion. He got the title and prestige when he defeated Pascual Perez of Argentina on April 16.1960 for the world flyweight championship. The fight was held in the Lumphini Boxing Stadium of Bangkok. Kingpetch used his 7 inch reach advantage in order to make Perez keep his distance which prevented him from using his boxing skills.

Kingpetch then lost his title to teenage phenomenon boxer Fighting Harada in 1962. He regained the flyweight title three months after with an impressive win. The fight was supported by 15,000 Thais and the king of Thailand himself who had a specially built throne at the side of the ring when he watched the fight. The title was however grabbed from him by Hiroyuki Ebihara.

Kingpetch retired from the world of boxing in 1966 leaving a lasting legacy for other Thai boxers. He then died of pneumonia in Bangkok at the age of 46 in March 31,1982.