# Saman Sorjaturong

Saman Sorjaturong (born Saman Sriprated on 2 August 1968 in Amphoe Khlong Lan, Kamphaeng Phet province) is a Thai former world boxing champion.

## Early life

He was born in a peasant family in Kamphaeng Phet province, upper central Thailand, with four siblings. In childhood, he did not live with his parents because they had moved to another village. As a child, Saman was ordained a novice and went to live at the temple with his grandfather who was ordained monk. He stayed there until graduated sixth grade.
Later on, he went to Bangkok to study Buddhism for five years in Wat Pho, until graduating with level three in Buddhist Theology, which can be called "Maha" (serious) prefix.

## Boxing career

Saman turned pro at the age of 21, with a love for professional boxing, having written a letter to ask for help from Mom Rajawongse (M.R.) Naris Kridakorn, editor of World Boxing Magazine. M.R. Naris had recommended him to the "Sorjaturong Boxing Gym" (ค่ายมวย ส.จาตุรงค์) by Suchart Theerawuttichuwong as owner and trainer.
Saman won the WBC, IBF and lineal junior flyweight titles during his career. He is the third Thai world boxing champion not to be previously involved in Muaythai (the first being Pone Kingpetch, and the second being Chartchai Chionoi). Saman was also the first Thai and Asian boxer who won world championships of two institutions at the same time. Before that, he was criticized for not being capable enough to be a world champion. In 1993 he challenged the WBC strawweight world champion with Ricardo López, but was defeated in the second round. He defeated reigning champion Humberto González in a thrilling fight that was named Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year in 1995 to win the IBF and WBC titles. Both fighters were knocked down twice during the fight. He defended the WBC portion of the title ten times before losing it to Yo Sam Choi in 1999 via a unanimous decision. Their rematch was postponed seven times, finally taking place in 2001, when Saman lost by a knockout in the seventh round. He retired in 2005 after being knocked out in the first round by Kōki Kameda.

## Life after boxing

After retirement, he opened a Khao man kai (Thai version of Hainanese chicken rice) and Khao mu daeng (rice with red pork) restaurant in his home town of Ban Fah Lagoon Village, Rangsit, Pathumthani province.

## Professional boxing record

| 55 fights | 45 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 36 | 4 |
| By decision | 9 | 4 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 55 | Loss | 45–8–2 | Kōki Kameda | KO | 1(10) | Jun 20, 2005 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 54 | Loss | 45–7–2 | Rodel Quilaton | UD | 6 | Apr 16, 2005 | The Mall Shopping Center Bangkae, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 53 | Loss | 45–6–2 | Pitakpong Thamma | TKO | 4(12) | Feb 22, 2005 | Chaophraya pier, Pathum Thani, Thailand | |
| 52 | Loss | 45–5–2 | Wyndel Janiola | UD | 10 | Apr 11, 2002 | Princess Crown Hotel, Paoy Paet, Cambodia | |
| 51 | Win | 45–4–2 | Koki Tanaka | TKO | 3(10) | Feb 2, 2002 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 50 | Loss | 44–4–2 | Choi Yo-sam | KO | 7(12) | Jan 30, 2001 | Bangkok City, Thailand | For WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 49 | Win | 44–3–2 | Alvin Felicilda | UD | 10 | Jul 19, 2000 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 48 | Win | 43–3–2 | Ramil Anito | KO | 6(10) | Mar 11, 2000 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 47 | Win | 42–3–2 | Alfren Bulala | KO | 4(8) | Mar 11, 2000 | Sa Kaeo, Thailand | |
| 46 | Win | 41–3–2 | Rogelio Lapi-an | KO | 3(8) | Feb 11, 2000 | Mahachai Villa Arena, Samut Sakhon, Thailand | |
| 45 | Loss | 40–3–2 | Choi Yo-sam | UD | 12 | Occt 17, 1999 | Olympic Park Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea | Lost WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 44 | Draw | 40–2–2 | Texas Gomez | TD | 5(12) | May 19, 1999 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 43 | Win | 40–2–1 | Ladislao Vazquez | UD | 12 | Nov 26, 1998 | Muang Thong Thani Sports Complex, Nonthaburi, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 42 | Win | 39–2–1 | Ramil Gevero | PTS | 10 | Aug 19, 1998 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 41 | Win | 38–2–1 | Shiro Yahiro | TKO | 4(12) | Mar 8, 1998 | Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 40 | Win | 37–2–1 | Ernesto Rubillar | TKO | 7(10) | Dec 17, 1997 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 39 | Win | 36–2–1 | Mzukisi Marali | TKO | 4(12) | May 31, 1997 | Garden Hill Village, Bungsampan, Petchaboon, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 38 | Win | 35–2–1 | Julio Coronel | TKO | 7(12) | Apr 13, 1997 | Chaiyaphum Stadium, Chaiyaphum, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 37 | Win | 34–2–1 | Manuel Jesus Herrera | UD | 12 | Dec 15, 1996 | Provincial Stadium, Chiang Rai, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 36 | Win | 33–2–1 | Alli Galvez | TKO | 2(12) | Sep 19, 1996 | Bangplee Regional Stadium, Samut Prakan, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 35 | Win | 32–2–1 | Shiro Yahiro | TKO | 9(12) | Aug 10, 1996 | Soccer Stadium, Phitsanulok, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 34 | Win | 31–2–1 | Bonifacio Terado | PTS | 6 | Jun 7, 1996 | Panpiset School, Pan District , Chiang Rai, Thailand | |
| 33 | Win | 30–2–1 | Joma Gamboa | TKO | 7(12) | Apr 27, 1996 | Regional Stadium, Maha Sarakham, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 32 | Win | 29–2–1 | Antonio Pérez | TKO | 4(12) | Feb 24, 1996 | Municipal Stadium, Chachoengsao, Thailand | Retained WBC light-flyweight titles |
| 31 | Win | 28–2–1 | Yuichi Hosono | KO | 4(12) | Nov 12, 1995 | Main Stadium, Ratchaburi, Thailand | Retained WBC, and IBF light-flyweight titles |
| 30 | Win | 27–2–1 | Humberto González | TKO | 7(12) | Jul 15, 1995 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, USA | Won WBC, and IBF light-flyweight titles |
| 29 | Win | 26–2–1 | David Franco | KO | 6(10) | May 18, 1995 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 28 | Win | 25–2–1 | Alexis Janiola | KO | 4(10) | Mar 15, 1995 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 27 | Win | 24–2–1 | Al Tarazona | UD | 10 | Feb 15, 1995 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 26 | Win | 23–2–1 | Edwin Talita | PTS | 10 | Dec 21, 1994 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 25 | Win | 22–2–1 | Rico Macaubos | KO | 3(?) | Oct 12, 1994 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 24 | Win | 21–2–1 | David Franco | PTS | 10 | Aug 14, 1994 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 23 | Win | 20–2–1 | Alpong Navaja | KO | 4(?) | Jun 15, 1994 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 22 | Win | 19–2–1 | Jaime Aliguin | KO | 3(?) | Apr 20, 1994 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 21 | Win | 18–2–1 | Sammy Tyson Pagadan | KO | 5(?) | Feb 16, 1994 | Channel 7 Studios, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 20 | Win | 17–2–1 | John Medina | KO | 4(?) | Dec 15, 1993 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 19 | Win | 16–2–1 | Bernardo Belamucho | KO | 4(?) | Sep 15, 1993 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 18 | Loss | 15–2–1 | Ricardo López | KO | 2(12) | Jul 3, 1993 | Parc de Beisbol La Junta, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico | For WBC minimumweight title |
| 17 | Win | 15–1–1 | Aswin Sithlakmuang | KO | 8(?) | Jan 17, 1993 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 16 | Loss | 14–1–1 | Aswin Sithlakmuang | PTS | 6 | Aug 25, 1992 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 15 | Draw | 14–0–1 | Roberto Padilla | PTS | 10 | Jul 10, 1992 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Suk Hang Jae | KO | 3(?) | Apr 3, 1992 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Nilo Anosa | KO | 2(?) | Dec 14, 1991 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Aswin Singnakloea | KO | 1(?) | Oct 5, 1991 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Darwin M | KO | 7(?) | Jul 14, 1991 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Pepe Sitharan | KO | 1(?) | Jun 11, 1991 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Putlek Ohyuthanakorn | KO | 3(?) | May 14, 1991 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Tutachai Lukpintorn | KO | 1(?) | Mar 8, 1991 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Bangpleenoi Poryontrakit | KO | 2(?) | Feb 23, 1991 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Rome Chaalorton | PTS | 4 | Nov 18, 1990 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Bunlert Sorkettalingche | KO | 4(?) | Aug 22, 1990 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Lui Singsuannam | KO | 5(?) | Jul 23, 1990 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Panom Chorungsak | KO | 1(?) | Jun 17, 1990 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Kongkwan Lukmaoklong | PTS | 4 | Apr 8, 1990 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Ekawit Singkrungthon | KO | 4 | Des 24, 1989 | Bangkok City, Thailand | |