Anuwat Kaewsamrit

Early life

Anuwat Kaewsamrit was born as Apisak Rongpichai in Nakhon Si Thammarat province in the south of Thailand on November 17, 1981. At the age of 13, he went to Bangkok to stay with a friend, who was training at the newly formed Kaewsamrit camp. At first, Anuwat was a gym assistant, but decided to join the gym as a trainee. After his first 6 month training period, he had his first fight at the age of 14 in Pattaya.^[2]

On October 31, 1998, when he was 17 years old, he had his first foreign bout against Hinari Fukatsu who was the current Japanese national champion of SNKA at flyweight in Japan. He knocked down Fukatsu twice in the 4th round and twice in 5th round. The referee stopped the bout at the second knock down in 5th round.^[3]

Winning national titles

Two years later, after 35 fights, he the got chance to fight for his first stadium title. On November 18, 1998, Anuwat knocked out Klangsuan Sasiprapa Gym in the 4th round and he won the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Mini flyweight (105 lb, 47.727 kg).

On June 10, 1999, he won his second title by beating Kayasit Sakmuangklaeng for the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Junior flyweight.^[2] Anuwat's reputation grew, and he made a name for himself as a fighter who had the ability to come from behind to snatch the victory, usually by way of his devastating punches.

On February 2, 2000, Anuwat won his 3rd title in his career, beating Prakaipetch Kiatpailin to take the Rajadamnern Stadium title at Junior bantamweight.

On May 6, 2005, Anuwat fought against Nopparat Keatkhamtorn who was the current champion of Lumpinee Stadium at Featherweight to unify the titles. He knocked out Nopparat with a right cross in the 1st round, and won the Lumpinee Stadium title, becoming the unified champion of Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium at featherweight. He was the first to do so in the history of Thailand.

On October 29, 2005, Anuwat fought against Riki Onodera who was the featherweight champion of Japan in Japan for Onodera's retirement bout. He knocked down Onodera at the end of 1st round with a right elbow strike. In the 2nd round, he knocked down Onodera twice, once with a left hook and once with a right low kick, and the referee stopped the bout when Anuwat knocked down Onodera at 3rd time with a right hook.^[4]

Winning world titles

In 2005, World Boxing Council (WBC) established new championships of Muay Thai and Anuwat was offered for its title. He fought against Singtongnoi Por.Telakun for the vacant first WBC Muay Thai title at featherweight on October 19, 2006. He won his first world title in his career with TKO in 3rd round.

On August 22, 2008, he fought against Santipab Sit. Au. Ubon at Lumpinee Stadium for the vacant title of WPMF World featherweight title. He won by split decision at 5R.

On March 1, 2009, he had a defending match against Shunta from Japan for WPMF World Featherweight title in the event of "M.I.D Japan presents M-1 Fairtex Muay Thai Challenge 2009 Yod Nak Suu vol.1". He knocked down Shunta with a left hook in the 1st round and the referee stopped the bout when Anuwat knocked down Shunta with a right hook.^[5]

On June 26, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Anuwat challenged Liam Harrison's WMC World Lightweight title, and won by TKO of the third round with right low kicks.

On July 11, 2010, in Ariake, Tokyo, Anuwat was scheduled to defend his WPMF Featherweight title against Shin Saenchigym from Japan. He scored a knockout with a right cross in 5th round, retaining his title.^[6]

Awards

• 2005 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year
• 2004 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year
• 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year (vs Singdam Kiatmuu9)
• 2004 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year
• 2003 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year