This is a subject I find interesting. I wrote a thread on Michael "Venom" Page's pro debut, last week. Holland is the birthplace of K-1 kickboxing and has had a few of their guys move over to boxing without much success. A few washed-up boxers with no kicking experience have even gone to win a few fights in K-1 although they were certainly not up to the title level. Muai-Thai, seems to translate much better to boxing as the fighters know how to infight, and don't wind up with long, powerful kicks. One K-1 guy who has competed successfully in boxing (12-0, 9KOs, albeit over a bunch of Dutch cabdrivers) is the legend Nieky Holzken of Holland. He is obviously heavy handed and knows how to box. He has the same basic issue as do most kickboxers in that he doesn't move his legs... in his sport a certain number of kicks must be thrown so the fighters tend to be fairly stationary setting up kicks. Holzken would be, in my opinion, at least a real contender if he boxed, only. He's about McGregor's size, not as athletic but a much better boxer and would probably destroy him. Here's his tape: This content is protected Holzken sparring J-Leon Love at MBC (who seemed to be pulling his punches a bit). This content is protected He's already 33, but I think he could be a title contender within 10 fights. Maybe he'll make a run at the bigger paychecks.
A lot of WAKO / PKA fighters started out as kickboxers and became pretty good in pro boxing, some of them even capturing World titles. The first American Karate fighter to join the ranks of worldclass pro boxers was Howard Jackson in the late seventies. Troy Dorsey, Vitaly Klitchko, Khalid Rahilou are a couple of names that come into mind who were kickboxing champs before they turned pro boxing. Many of the female boxers were kickboxers back in the early days of the sport (i.e. Regina Halmich). I think K-1 and Muay Thai style fighters are used to a totally different balance and footwork. That's why they aren't really good at boxing imho.
This content is protected Botha has wins over Peter Aerts and Le Banner who were legends in kickboxing. I posted in the wrong thread. Derp.
Those wins should be taken with a grain. Le Banner's mother had just died and he didn't come out for the 4th extra tie breaking round(angry and thinking he had done enough to won) he also arrogantly boxed with Botha more than he should have which is the only reason why the fight was even remotely close. Aerts suffered a fluke injury early into the fight and was unable to continue.
Yeah I know. It still happened, though. The Aerts one especially. Botha was just particularly lucky. He still has wins on his poor kickboxing resume regardless.
Kharitonov more known for his MMA career was also a solid amateur boxer in the early 2000s and still put on some going in mid-2010s. This content is protected This content is protected
Good fight! I like both these guys but LeBanner should have stuck with the low kicks. I've seen him chop guys down brutally with his kicking. He let Botha back into it with his accurate 1-2s. And damn, ol' Frans has a hard head. He ate a LeBanner head kick and smiled.
This is very common with heavy handed Thai Muay Thai fighters coming to the end of their MT careers, many of which are in excess of 200 fights. Some of the guys also fight both styles at the same time. Thailand has had phenomenal success with western boxing both pro and in the amateurs all things considered. This is a list Thai Muay Thai fighters that became world champion boxers. And remember this doesn’t include just top 10 contenders or guys who fought for titles but didn’t win one. There are some legendary names on this list in terms of pure fighters and warriors which ever style they fought...you ever seen a more natural fighter than Samart??? Pone Kongpetch (WBA World Champion in 1962, World Champion WBC in 1963) Chartchai Chionoi (World Champion WBC in 1968, WBA World Champion in 1973) Burlek Chawanchay (WBA World Champion in 1970) Venice Borkhorsor (WBC World Champion in 1972) Saensak Muangsurin (WBC World Champion in 1975) Netrnoi Sor Vorasingh (WBC World Champion in 1978) Payao Poontarat (WBC World Champion in 1983) Sot Chitalada (WBC World Champion in 1984) Khaosai Galaxy (WBA World Champion in 1984) Samart Payakaroon (WBC World Champion in 1986) Samut Sitnarukorn (IBF World Champion in 1988) Khaokor Galaxy (WBA World Champion in 1988) Napa Kiatwanchai (WBC World Champion in 1988) Muangchai Kittikasem (IBF World Champion in 1989, WBC World Champion in 1991) Fahlan Lukmingkwan (IBF World Champion in 1990) Pichit Sithbanprachan (IBF World Champion in 1992) Ratanapol Sor Vorapin (IBF World Champion in 1992) Chana Porpaoin (WBA World Champion in 1993) Saen Sor Ploenchit (WBA World Champion in 1994) Daorung Chuwattana (WBA World Champion in 1994) Saman Sorjaturong (World Champion IBF and WBC in 1995) Veeraphol Sahaprom (WBA World Champion in 1995, WBC World Champion in 1998) Yokthai Sit Or (WBA World Champion in 1996) Pichit Chor Siriwat (WBA World Champion in 1996) Sirimongkol Singwangcha (WBC World Champion in 1997) Chatchai Sasakul (WBC World Champion in 1997) Wandee Singwancha (WBC World Champion in 1998) Sonpitchai Pitsanura (WBA World Champion in 1999) Medgoen Singsurat (WBC World Champion in 1999) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (WBC World Champion in 2001) Yoddamrong Sithyodthong (WBA World Champion in 2002) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai (WBA World Champion in 2002) Eagle Den Junlaphan (WBC World Champion in 2004) Somsak Sithchatchawal (WBA World Champion in 2006) Oleydong Sithsamerchai (WBC World Champion in 2007) Denkaosan Kaovichit (WBA World Champion in 2008) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (WBA World Champion in 2009) Kwanthai Sithmorseng (WBA World Champion in 2010) Ponsawan Kratingdaenggym (WBA World Champion in 2011) Tepparith Kokietgym (WBA World Champion in 2011) Suriyan Sor Rungvisai (WBC World Champion in 2011) Kompayak Porpramook (WBC World Champion in 2011) Pungluang Sor Singyu (WBO World Champion in 2012) Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (WBC World Champion in 2013) Amnant Ruenroeng (IBF World Champion in 2014) Wanheng Menayothin (WBC World Champion in 2014) Knockout CP Freshmart (WBA World Champion in 2014)
