Chamroen Songkitrat

Chamroen Songkitrat (Thai: จำเริญ ทรงกิตรัตน์), born as Samroeng Srimadi, was a Thai boxer and policeman. Songkitrat was a champion Muay Thai fighter in Thailand with over 50 fights before becoming an orthodox boxer. He made two unsuccessful attempts at the NBA World Bantamweight title to Jimmy Carruthers and Robert Cohen in May and September 1954, both to audiences over 60,000.

Chamroen Songkitrat
Chamroen Songkitrat (left) and Jimmy Carruthers (right) in heavy rain during their fight in 1954.
Statistics
Real namePol. Maj. Samroeng Srimadi
(พ.ต.ต.สำเริง ศรีมาดี)
Nickname(s)[alias] cîngh̄eln fị (จิ้งเหลนไฟ)
"Fire Skink"
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Height163 cm (5 ft 4 in)
Reach155 cm (61 in)
NationalityThai
BornOctober 20, 1928
Nong Khai province, Thailand
DiedAugust 29, 2003(2003-08-29) (aged 74)
Bangkok, Thailand
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights16
Wins9
Wins by KO2
Losses5
Draws2
No contests0

Career

On December 30, 1949, Songkitrat debuted against Mok Kai Khoon in the Happy World Arena, Singapore.

The first time he challenged the World Champion was against Australian Jimmy Carruthers on May 2, 1954, at the Charusathian Stadium. More than 60,000 spectators attended, including King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand[1] Songkitrat was sponsored partly by the Royal Thai Police Department. The stadium was open roofed, and as it was monsoon season and raining, both competitors fought barefoot, and were forced to dodge falling light globes as they exploded from gusts of wind.[2] This is the first recorded match in modern world boxing history where boxers removed their boots.[3]

On September 19, 1954, Songkitrat challenged World Champion Robert Cohen at the Nimibutr Stadium, National Stadium. His nose was broken during the seventh round, but he fought on, only to lose through points after 15 rounds.[4]

On March 9, 1955, he fought Raúl Macías at Cow Palace, in California, and lost.[5]

After retiring from boxing, he continued to work as a police officer. Upon quitting the force, Songkitrat spent time working in France before returning to Bangkok. He opened a business in Chiang Mai, but after becoming paralyzed he returned to Bangkok. He died there on August 29, 2003, at the age of 74.[6]

References
  1. "Champion's eye gashed in sensational fight". Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954). 1954-05-03. p. 1. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  2. "Tired Carruthers Admits Songkitrat Did Very Well". Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954). 1954-05-03. p. 1. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  3. ซูม (2011-10-02). ย้อนอดีตศึกชิงแชมป์โลก ครั้งแรกของประเทศไทย. Thairath (in Thai). Retrieved 2017-06-05.
  4. "Songkitrat's Nose Broken". Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954). 1954-09-20. p. 16. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  5. "Macias Beats Songkitrat". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 1955-03-11. p. 8. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  6. ชายพจน์. มวยดังไทยแลนด์ในอดีต: "จิ้งเหลนไฟ" จำเริญ ทรงกิตรัตน์. นิตยสารมวยโลก. เล่มที่ 837. กันยายน 2543. (in Thai)
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