Thailand is experiencing a wave of success on the world boxing stage. Knockout CP Freshmart (25-0, 9 KO) recently defended his world title in Australia against Alex Winwood (4-1, 2 KO). Previously, Thananchai Charunphak (25-1, 15 KO) secured a victory over Kento Hatanaka (15-1, 10 KO) in Japan, and Thanongsak Simsri (35-1, 32 KO) secured the OPBF lightweight heavyweight crown in March by defeating Miela Fajardo (11-2-2, 10 KOs).
However, Muay Thai’s biggest challenge looms on the horizon as bantamweight contender Tasana Salapat (76-1, 53 KO) prepares to cement her legacy in the sport.
On October 14, Thai fighter Petch CP Freshmart will step into the ring at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena to face Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KO), ranked 9th in The Ring rankings per pound. vacant WBC bantamweight title. This is Salapat’s second fight on foreign soil, marking an significant step in a career that has largely been at home.
Like many Thai boxers, Salapat began his fighting career in Muay Thai, competing at the highest levels in the country before moving on to professional boxing. But his journey was unique. At just 16 years aged, the future bantamweight title challenger made his professional boxing debut in 2011, defeating Sarawut Pantayung, better known as Jomhod Eminent Air (7-4, 2 KO), the notable Muay Thai champion. His initial career was tumultuous, as he fought nine times in his first year.
From 2012 to 2018, the Thai fighter maintained an impressive pace, fighting seven to eight times a year, mixing with regional and youth champions, journeymen and even newcomers. The goal was elementary: stay dynamic. Like many Thai fighters, he adopted the nickname “Petch CPF,” named after his sponsor, a local grocery chain that organizes monthly boxing events, which keeps him busy with regular fights. This sponsorship model, common in Thailand, allowed him to remain vigilant, sometimes facing the same opponents multiple times. With 76 fights under his belt and only one defeat, he is one of the busiest boxers in the sport.
That one loss came in 2018, when he traveled outside Thailand for the first time to face Japan’s Takuma Inoue (20-1, 5 KO) for the interim WBC bantamweight title. Despite putting in a lot of effort, he lost by unanimous decision, which was the first and only blemish on his record. Now the Thai veteran returns to Japan to face an even bigger challenge in Nakatani.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this upcoming fight is that it will be a southpaw vs. southpaw fight. This adds a unique tactical element to the fight. Interestingly, the last time Nakatani fought the southpaw was in April 2022, when he defended his WBO flyweight title against Ryota Yamauchi (12-3.11 KO). Nakatani won the fight by technical knockout in the eighth round, showing that he can effectively deal with left-handed opponents. This will make the upcoming fight with Salapat even more captivating.
I had the opportunity to visit him at his training camp in Pathum Thani province, located just outside Bangkok. Trained by renowned trainer and former WBC flyweight world champion Chatchai Sasakul, Salapat was in the midst of preparing for the biggest fight of his career. It was a Thursday afternoon and when I arrived he was already engaged in shadow boxing and focused. There was a positive vibe in the gym as the team continued to celebrate Knockout CP’s recent win in Australia.
Sitting with Sasakul and watching the Thai athlete perform his drills, the coach candidly assessed the challenge ahead.
“Junto, I think it’s a very tough fight for Petch,” Sasakul admitted. “But anything can happen in boxing. I can’t predict the future and I don’t know how things will turn out in Japan. But it’s not an effortless fight for Junto either. We work strenuous and I have a strategy. We are proceeding as planned.”
Curious about the loss to Takuma Inoue in 2018, I wanted to know what had changed since then. Sasakul reflected on the growth his player experienced, explaining: “The first thing he learned was experience. It was his first fight abroad. He was nervous, excited and couldn’t play as smoothly as usual. But now he has matured. I think he can control his emotions this time. But you know, Junto is very good.
Discussing Salapat’s strengths, Sasakul described him as an all-rounder. “Petch is versatile. His skills, the power of his punch – he is neither too strenuous nor too supple. It has its strengths, but I’m trying to improve them.
After the training session, I sat down with Salapat himself to learn more about his journey. Growing up in a penniless family, boxing was initially a way to support his loved ones. “When I was a child, my family was quite penniless, so I thought of a way to facilitate them,” he said. “At that time, a local festival and Muay Thai matches were being held at a temple near my house. I went to watch it and became interested in Muay Thai. The organizers allowed me to take part in it and from then on I liked it and started training.”
Wanting to learn more about his inspirations, I asked if there was anyone who influenced him to take up boxing. “My inspiration began when I started training professional boxing. I admired Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (91-5-2, 47 KO).
With a career spanning over a decade under his belt, I wondered how he stayed motivated after all these years. “I train all the time and stay disciplined,” he said. “I never underestimate any opponent in any fight.”
Reflecting on his fight against Takuma Inoue in 2018, I was curious what lessons he learned from the experience. “I learned a lot and gained valuable experience fighting abroad for the first time. I have regained these skills and continue to develop.
As for his upcoming fight with Nakatani, Salapat approaches it with renewed confidence and determination. “This fight means everything to me,” he said. “If I get the chance, I will give my all to win the belt. This will make a huge difference to my family and the reputation of boxing in Thailand.”
His preparation was strict, and one of his main sparring partners was Phongthep Homjui (14-1-2, 8 KO), a fellow southerner who also has an upcoming fight in Seoul. The two push each other to their limits, honing their skills for their respective challenges.
Under Sasakul’s tutelage, the Thai fighter is determined to leave his mark on the sport. As the clock ticks closer to fight night, there is a sense that he is ready to take on the challenge regardless of the outcome. He knows what is at stake – both for himself and for Thailand.
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