Samart Payakaroon vs Samransak Muangsurin 1988

Samart Payakaroon should need no introduction. According to most, he is the best Muay Thai fighter to ever grace the ring. Only Saenchai Sor Kingstar is mentioned in the same air as him. Kru Yodtong, Samart's trainer at Sityodtong, says in an interview with Evolve that while Samart didn't have the best technique in any one aspect of the game, his speed and creativity allowed him to come up with counters no one could predict. He was known for his teep and was very skillful and strong with his boxing. After retiring from Muay Thai, he would win the WBC Super Bantamweight strap in 1986 and successfully defend it once. This is a later fight of his against a heavier fighter. Samart fights from the red corner.

Samransak Muangsurin was another famous fighter of the era. He built a name for himself as a heavy puncher and was nicknamed "The Iron Fist." In an interview, Anuwat Kaewsamrit names him as a precursor, another fighter known for knocking his opponents out. The Muangsurin camp also turned out accomplished professional English style boxers like Saensak Muangsurin. He wears the blue shorts in this bout.

These fighters were active in the late '80s and early '90s before the Asian financial crisis in 1997, what is referred to as the Golden Age of Muay Thai. Viewership has not returned to the levels of that era and the advent of football being broadcast on Thai TV has precluded somewhat a highly visible Muay Thai media presence. Samart was champion in four weight categories at Lumpini Stadium against the very high quality opponents of this era. To put that in perspective, consider that Lumpini is one of the two major stadiums in Bangkok, along with Rajadamnern, and belts from the two stadiums are the most prestigious and difficult to obtain in Muay Thai.