A Throwback to the 90's.... Sort Of

The late 80's into the mid 90's could arguably be the greatest, and most exciting era of Muay Thai ever. The top fighters such as, Kaensak. Sor Ploenchit, Jongsanan Fairtex, Sakmongkol Sitnchuchoke, Orono Por. Muang Ubon, Boonlai Sor. Thanikul, Sangtiennoi Sor. Rungrot etc... would fight on TV. Today most of the top stars (Saencahi, Nong-O, Pornsaneh, Petchboonchu) are rarely shown on television because of gambling, and the one's that do generally don't see much more than 100,000 baht. (3100 dollars) However, good fighters are still fighting on TV in Thailand.

If you're a Fimeu (technician) its possible you can still be a competitive fighter after your 30th birthday. If you're a brawler and a guy who just likes to throw down chances are you'll be shop worn by the mid to late 20's. To say Narunat Chengzimaewgym is an exception would be an understatement. A product of the late 80's, early 90's era of muay thai, Narunat remarkably still fights like he's 20, but he's not. He's 37, with 20 years of experience in the ring, and hundreds of bruising, and bloody fights to look back on. He brings excitement to TV which is exactly what Muay Thai needs right now. 

Enough of the talk, lets get to some fights. This fight Narunat, (blue) takes on Kinsaeng manoprovit. This was at least the 5th fight between the 2, but unlike the others this one was broadcasted on Channel 7 in Thailand. 

In this fight Narunat (red) meets Maneedang Kiatprapas. Again, keep in mind this man is 37, and has hundreds of fights. 

Finally, the fight that pays off more than the rest. Narunat's (red) average salary is 60,000 baht (1900 dollars) so he's not exactly making bank, even though he puts it all out on the line. However this thriller was deemed channel 7 fight of the year, which also netted the Thai a cool 1 million baht (32,000 dollar) bonus. 

To say Narunat Chengzimaewgym at the tender age of 37 is most exciting fighter in Muay Thai would not be an exaggeration.