Forget whatever you think you know about Muay Thai. This isn’t some fancy gym stuff, this is STREET. This kid, man born in Surin fighting at SEVEN! SEVEN years old! They called him “Black Demon” ‘cause he was dark-skinned but my God, the demon he unleashed in the ring Pure terror. From Por.Pramuk to Por.Banchamek the name changed the gym changed but the FIRE Never. He became Buakaw White Lotus. White Lotus my foot. This guy was a wrecking ball. My mum still says his kicks remind her of our old washing machine on full spin.
2004 K1 Max 70kg. This was IT. We were hooked man. From the first fight you could tell. This wasn’t some Japanese karateka or Dutch kickboxer. This was a different breed. Elbows like razors knees like pistons kicks that could break a coconut. We were screaming “Arre maaro saale ko!” And he did. He just… did. Beat Takayuki Kohiruimaki like he was a punching bag. Then Mike Zambidis who was supposed to be this iron Mike. Buakaw just *dominated* him. It was a clinic no falls no drama just pure unadulterated Thai style.
Then the final. MASATO. The Japanese superstar the golden boy. Everyone was like “No way Buakaw’s done.” But Buakaw was already a different animal. He just kept coming. Kicks knees elbows flying. My cousin the idiot tried a Buakaw elbow a few weeks later broke our ceiling fan no lie. Anyway Masato was tough man but Buakaw was… relentless. They went to an extra round because of course they did Japanese judges love their heroes right But Buakaw just kept pushing kept hitting. He SNATCHED that victory. The first time man. The first time the king was crowned. My whole mohalla erupted like India won a cricket match.
And what did K1 do after that They banned the clinch! Can you believe it?! One strike in the clinch ONLY. Because Buakaw was too good! His knees his clinching it was too dominant. They literally changed the rules to cripple him to stop the “hegemony of Buakaw.” That’s how much of a problem he was. Absolute nonsense. You don’t change rules for one guy!
2005. He beat Kraus again easy peasy. But the final… Andy Souwer. This cheerful Dutch technician. First seconds it was a war. Buakaw doing his thing Andy with his boxing. Again extra rounds. And guess what Japanese judges. They gave it to Souwer. We were livid! I threw my slipper at the TV swear to God. My mum thought I lost my mind. Robbed! Pure robbery! Everyone knew Buakaw did more. My neighbour aunty who hates fighting even agreed.
But you know what A true king doesn’t stay down. 2006. Revenge tour. He absolutely DECIMATED Hiroki Shishido in 15 seconds. FIFTEEN. SECONDS. Left hook GONE. Didn’t even have time to say “chai garam.” Then Mike Zambidis again decision win. Gaga Drago another decision. This guy was on a mission. And then the ultimate showdown.
Andy Souwer. Again. The rematch. The world was watching man. And Buakaw He came out like a tornado. Aggressor. He dropped Souwer with a knee then another! Souwer got up bless his heart but Buakaw was like “Nah this ain’t over.” Verification. Another knee a clean shot. KO! Souwer was out cold. The crowd went WILD. We went WILD. This was it. First two-time K1 Max champion. At 24! National hero. My dad who knows nothing about fights was high-fiving me like crazy.
Okay so K1 problems started brewing money issues gym drama. He leaves Por.Pramuk gets sued for like a million dollars but the Thai government steps in backs him up. Changes his name to Buakaw Banchamek his own gym’s name. Legend status confirmed.
But then… the monk. Yi Long. BRO WTF WAS THAT This bald monk yellow pants became famous from some viral video. Total meme. And Buakaw fights him in Kunlun Fight! In 2015 they fought for some “gold from a famous temple” lol. Yi Long this self-taught warrior opens the fight with a punch! Buakaw was in shock! Like “Is this for real?” Long kept fighting man didn’t give up. Buakaw threw everything sweeps kicks but Long just absorbed it. It was like a zombie apocalypse this monk surviving everything. Buakaw won but it was just… weird.
Then they fought AGAIN! Later. This time Long just jumps on him pulls him into a chaotic brawling match. Buakaw is tired Chinese judges again give it to Long! The monk’s “Flame of Glory” burns brighter. Everyone was like “WAS THAT REAL?” Total nonsense. But it added to the legend I guess. Fighting controversy with a *monk*. Only Buakaw.
He just keeps going man. 41 years old and still fighting. Official record is just 242 wins 74 KOs 24 defeats but so many controversial. He runs his gym trains young fighters. Even played football for a bit! And the exhibition fights He’s smashing everyone. Golden Boy from Japan Sorry kid. Buakaw took him to Niagara Falls of pain.
And then… the fight with Saenchai. THE Saenchai. The best of the eight-limbed style. These two legends buddies outside the ring finally met in a real fight without gloves! Buakaw rushed him cornered him. Saenchai got injured man his hand. Buakaw just kept pounding. Saenchai showed heart though went to the decision. Buakaw won. Total money fight but it was epic.
And now He’s gonna box Manny Pacquiao next year. Pacman! A freaking exhibition match. The man just doesn’t stop. From a village kid to a global icon. Buakaw Banchamek. He’s not just a fighter he’s like a force of nature. A legend. Period. Now pass the chai I need another hit of this. My eyes are burning but who cares. Buakaw man. Buakaw.