Interview with Chang Peuk Kiatsonglit (December 2001)

This is an interview with Thai legend Chang Peuk Kiatsonglit, 5 times world champion - a true legend.

Some of Chang Peuks fights can be seen on the following videos available on this web site:

Kings Of Muay Thai Vol 1 - Chang Peuk vs Orlando Weit
Kings Of Muay Thai Vol 3 - Chang Peuk vs Rob Kaman

To order any of these videos please email sales@muaythaionline.net or phone 07815 954840

How old were you when you started training?
I grew up on the Cambodia border and started training when I was 13 years old.

How many fights did you have before fighting in Bangkok?
About 100. I have now had 343 in total.

What was the first title that you won?
Isaan Champion when I was 18 years old - 62 kilos. I am 35 now.

Who was your main trainer?
Narong Kiatsonglit - Kiatsonglit gym in Bangkok. The boss is dead now though and the gym no longer exists. Now I am under contract with Sitpholek Gym. But Sitpholek gym is good as it lets me keep my name, other gyms make you change it.

How long have you been at Sitpholek?
About 3 years, I help coach here.

How many fights abroad have you had? About 90 in total 50-60 of which were in Japan. I have fought in Australia, USA, England , France (about 20 times) Holland, Germany - everywhere.

How many times have you fought in England?

Just the once against Orlando Weit.

What was the hardest fight against a farang?
Branko from the K1. Hoost is also good. Kaman is strong but I beat him 3 times and lost once.

What's the hardest fight against a Thai?
I have never been a stadium champion as I am always too heavy for the Lumpinee titles. About 20 years agothe heaviest Lumpinee title was 60 kilos. But my hardest fight was against a Thai form Songchai Gym.

What has been the happiest moment in your muaythai career?
Beating Rick roufus in America. I was losing and then I won in America in my first fight there - lots of Thais dream about America. roufus was heavier over 90 kilos and I was 71 kilos and I beat him breaking his leg.

Is there anyone in particular you would like to fight?
Ashwin Balrak from Etaussou (WPKL) who I lost to previously, from Holland. I was stopped before because I had a minor cut which wasn't fair. It was on a WPKL promotion run by his manager. I want revenge.

When you fought in England what did you think of the country?
I had a good time there because there were a whole big group of us Thais together having fun.

How many years have you been teaching?
15 years - all the Thais fight and help train the youngsters at that age.

Do you have any brothers or sisters that fight?
My father also was a fighter and my brothers fight, my nephews come here soon to train they are 13/14 years old Isaan champions - my whole family boxes.

What titles do you currently hold?
WKU World Champion - No-one would fight me when I held the WMC world title so I gave it up. I have also been the WKA , WKU, world champion, isaan champion, north thailand champion , south Thailand champion, Thailand champion, I am also 3 times international boxing champion of Thailand.

Can you talk us through your fight with van Emmen?
I beat him with a left hook in the second round. In the first round I put him on the floor several times with kicks. it was a bit too easy for me because I caught him early with a lucky first punch.

What other Thais do you rate?
Wanlop Sosthapan is amazing. Sackmongkol as well, Jomhod is good but he would not fight me.

Who are the best Farangs at the moment?
I don't know farangs really. I think the K1 fighters are good though that fight in Japan.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?
I want to keep fighting for another 5 years. I want to be the oldest ever champion and thnemanybe in the future I will open my own gym working with the kids.