Saensak Muangsurin 'The Shadow of the Devil'

Mr. Flea

September 7, 1978 (Thailand)

Tiemboon Intratutru, the manager of WBC Light-Welterweight Champion
Saensak Muangsurin said his fighter is thinking about the possibility of
retirement, as a result of an injury to one eye.

Tiemboon said his fighter has had a medical examination, and will visit a specialist in
Bangkok.

Saensak was supposed to defend his WBC Championship versus #4 WBC -Esteban De Jesus 54-4-0 (32 KO's)
on October 21, 1978 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Promoter, Don King has announced a 'postponement' of the fight, but has pleaded
with Tiemboom Intratutru to give a 'second thought', and come to Puerto Rico
in late-November or early-December 1978.

Mr. Intratutru stated that he would like his fighter to take 4-months off, before
resuming training. If the 'specialist' says that it is 'proper' to return to the ring,
we could fight the #4 WBC-ranked Esteban De Jesus in March 1979.

Saensak has last defended his title in April 1978 (5-months ago) against Venezuelan
Francisco Moreno.
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While the WBC Championship bout is postponed, Don King has signed Esteban De Jesus to
take on a Puerto Rican compatriot, Edwin Viruet in New York on October 27, 1978.

Don King stated, that he will still try to get Saensak Muangsurin to come to Puerto Rico
to fight Esteban, before he retires.

 

Flea Man,

Though Saensak 'pulled out' of the bout with Esteban De Jesus on October 21, 1978 -

Looks like he took the 'Big Money' ($100,000 in U.S. Dollars) to fight Sang-Hyun Kim on
Saturday Night - December 30, 1978, in South Korea.

The news articles states that it was a quickly put together bout, in which only
3000 attended the bout at Chamsil Gymnasium, South Korea (Capacity; 12,000).

Saensak entered the ring 'as damaged goods' with a detached retina. He never saw
the straight left hand that put him out at 2:05 of Round 13.

My guess, Tiembonn Intrabutra accepted the bout for his fighter, figuring it was
an easy 'pay-day' over the #3 WBC Challenger - Sang-Hyun Kim 24-2-2 (14 KO's).

Soon after, Don King offered 'new' WBC Champion - Sang-Hyun Kim a bout with Esteban De Jesus
for February 17, 1979 - to be held in Los Angeles or New York.

And, 'now' ex-Champion - Saensak was offered a 10-Round bout with Roberto Duran, for
February 1979 in Las Vegas, and with a $35,000 fight purse, but Saensak was unable to fight due
to the eye injury.

 

Tiny E,

Here are some of the 'specifics' of the Saensak Muangsurin vs. Lion Furuyama II bout.

Sunday - January, 25, 1976

Nihon University Auditorium - Tokyo, Japan

Attendance: 10,000

WBC Light Welterweight Championship

Muangsurin's 'First Defense'

Saensak 'Boomsong' Muangsurin (Thailand)
4-0-0 (4 KO's)
WBC Champion
Age..............25 1/2
Stance..........Southpaw
Height...........5' 7 1/2"
Weight..........140 lbs.

Tetsou 'Lion' Furuyama (Japan)
32-9-4 (22 KO's)
#8 WBC Light-Welterweight
Age..............28
Stance..........Southpaw
Height...........5' 6 1/2"
Weight..........139 1/2 lbs.

Lion Furuyama was the 'effective' aggressor over the 'first' 2 -Rounds.

The Champion, Saensak Muangsurin was content to block the punches with his 'high guard'.

Saensak opened up mid-way through Round 3, and turned to hard punching.

The Champion cut the Challenger in Round 6.

Pulled a few 'Saensak Shuffles' in Round 7.

Then cut the Challenger again in Round 8.

The Champion had Furuyama on 'wobbly legs' at the end of Round 13.

Referee, Enri Jiminez warned the Champion for using his 'elbows' in Rounds 2 and 12.

Scorecards;
Referee - Enri Jiminez (Philippines).....146-143 (7-4-4 in Rounds)
Judge - Ada Veravat (Thailand).........148-139 (11-2-2 in Rounds)
Judge - Ken Morita (Japan)...............147-144 (6-3-6 in Rounds)

The 'winner' by Unanimous Decision, the Champion - Saensak Muangsurin.

Many of the rounds were close, and some Newspaper accounts said it was a 'robbery'.

 

It was 'close' but Lion Furuyama, despite fighting a courageous battle,
did come up short here in his home country.

I gave it to Saensak by a 146-144 score (6-4-5 in Rounds).

 

R/T

I'll dig up the information on the 'controversial' bout with Saensak vs. 'Sweet' Saoul Mamby.

Sunday - October 23, 1977

WBC Light-Welterweight Championship

Open Air Stadium -Nakhon Rhathasima, Korat, Thailand

Attendance; 50,000

Referee; Abraham Echeverria (Mexico)
Judge; (Thailand)
Judge; (Hong Kong)

Saensak 'Boonsong' Muangsurin (WBC Champion)
10-1-0 (8 KO's)
Age.........27 years, 2 months
Height......5' 7 1/2"
Reach......71"
Weight.....139 lbs.

'Sweet' Saoul Mamby (#9 WBC Light-Welterweight)
20-11-5 (7 KO's)
Age........29 years, 4 months
Height.....5' 8"
Reach......70"
Weigt......140 lbs.

This will be Saensak Muangsurin's '5th' Title defense of 1977.

The Challenger - Saoul Mamby has only gone 2-3-0 (0 KO's) in his last '5-Bouts',
and the Brooklyn, New York 'veteran' has not fought in '5-Months'.

In his last bout on May 31, 1977, in Santo Domingo, Saoul was 'out-hustled'
by 'stylist' Adriano 'Nani' Marrero, who earned a Championship Bout versus
WBA Light-Welterweight Champion - Antonio Cervantes.

'Sweet' Saoul Mamby's last '5-Bouts'.

* May 31, 1977 ------ (L Dec 10) - Adriano Marrero
* April 2, 1977 ------- (W Dec 10) - Mike Everett
* November 13, 1976 - (L Dec 10) - Antonio Cervantes
* June 8, 1976 ------- (W Dec 10) - Adriano Marrero
* May, 4, 1976 ------- (L Dec 10) - Roberto Duran

 

Saensak Muangsurin vs. Saoul Mamby

October 23, 1977

The scoring of the decision was announced as 'Unanimous', but the next day it was
changed to a 'Split-Decision'.

The WBC Championship bout was 'close' as each fighter landed about the
same amount of punches. But Saoul Mamby was the 'better' defensive
fighter, as he made Saensak 'miss' many of his punches.

When Saensak tried to unload his 'Hard Left Fist', Mamby would slide to
his right, and counter with a quick straight right over the top. This worked
with great success, but Saoul did not punch hard enough to hurt
Saensak.

The Challenger, Saoul Mamby controlled the first '4-Rounds', by landing
the sharper punches, as the Champion 'missed' with his offensive assault.

Saensak started to get the 'range' in Round 5, as he pressed the 'slick' Jmaican.

Rounds 6 thru 9, it was a give-and-take battle, as the Champion pursued
aggressively, but the Challenger counter-punched well and scored with more punches.

In Round 10, the Champion was finally able to catch the 'fleet-footed' Mamby
with his 'Hard Left Fist', by landing several hard blows.

In Round 11, Saoul Mamby was able to shake the Champion with a hard counter
right hand, and out-worked the Champion for the entire round.

Round 12, was an 'Even Round', as both fighters landed with crisp punches.

Rounds 13 and 14, the stronger punching Champion was able to get a slight edge
in both rounds, as his harder punches were more telling than the higher quantity
of the Challengers punches.

In the Final Round, the Champion worked aggressively and landed several hard punches,
as the Challenger fought defensively, thinking he had a points lead to protect.

Scorecards;
Referee - Abraham Echevrria - 147-140 (10-3-2 in Rounds)
Judge - (Thailand) ----------- 148-143 (7-2-6 in Rounds)
Judge - (Hong Kong)---------- 147-144 (6-2-7 in Rounds)

After bout comments;

Saensak Muangsurin;

'This was my most difficult fight. I felt defeated after '9-Rounds', but I turned the battle
around in the 10th Round with my hard assault. I proved that I was the Champion by showing
a strong last '4-Rounds', with my right jabs and left hooks.'

I scored a big 'Final Round' with my 'left fist', and that should have secured the victory
for me.'

'The Jamaican (Mamby) was stronger than I expected. I knew he was a good boxer, but I
was suprised by his right-hand, which is very accurate.'

Saoul Mamby;

I felt I won at least 9 or 10 Rounds. My fight plan was to go out fast and take the
early rounds, and then counter-punch him with straight right-hands. I had a
'Golden' opportunity in Round 11, when I hurt him with a left-hook and straight
right. I thought he would go down, but he is a very strong fighter.'

'I would like a rematch on neutral ground. I can't fight Saensak and 50,000 Thailand fans
at the same time.'
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'Who was stronger, Roberto Duran or Saensak?

The New York fighter said that 'Saensak is the stronger fighter, but he
has poor technique. Roberto Duran is the better all-around fighter'.

Despite the 'loss' - Paul Saoul 'Sweet' Mam'by, a Jamaican living in Brooklyn, New York
will be moved up to the #4 WBC Challenger.

 

Lester,

In Round 11, Saensak walked 'smack' into a hard straight right hand from
'Sweet Saoul', that stopped the Thai Champion in his 'tracks', then Mamby
landed a hard left hook and right hand 'flush' on the chin of Saensak.

For a 'flash second' Saensak was stunned.

Now we alll know, 'two things', Saoul Mamby was 'not' a big puncher and Saensak
Muangsurin had a 'rock jaw'. But, Saensak was rocked, and Saoul Mamby had a
'Golden Opportunity' for about '3-seconds', but was unale to pull the trigger.

Despite the 'loss', Saoul Mamby was moved up to the #4 WBC Challenger after the bout,
as the WBC acknowledged that the Brooklyn-based Jamaican was worthy of a 'Top'
ranking.

 

November 1977

Tiemboon Intrabutra, has announced that his fighter WBC Light-Welterweight Champion -
Saensak Muangsurin will 'defend' his 'Crown' for the '6th' time in 1977.

Saensak will fight #1 WBC Challeger - Jo Kimpuani 37-1-0 (23 KO's) on December 30,
1977 - in Chantaburi, Thailand. The Zaire-born, French-based fighter is a strong
and powerful fighter, and should provide the busy champion with a stern test.

Mr. Intrabutra has asked the 'WBC' boxing council to consider Saensak as the WBC's
1977 'Fighter of the Year'.

Mr. Intrabutra has plans to keep Saensak busy for 1978 as well. After 'Jo Kimpuani',
we plan to fight Perico Fernandez in early-February 1978 in Manila, The Philippines.

Then, we have an offer of $125,000 to go to Papua, New Guinea to fight their
Champion - Tony Aba 20-1-0 (11 KO's), for late-March 1978.

We have also been offered large fight purses to go to Australia to fight
British-Commonwealth Champion - 'Baby Cassius' Austin 21-5-1 (6 KO's),
and Italy to fight Juan Jose Giminez 58-5-4 (29 KO's).

 

Saturday - August 20, 1977

Outdoor Sport Stadium - Roi-Et, Thailand

Attendance; 50,000

WBC Light-Welterweight Champion - 'The Silent Man' - Saensak Muangsurin defeated
American Mike Everett by 'Knockout' at 2:50 of Round 6.

Scorecards after '5' Rounds;
Referee - Larry Nadayang..........50-47 (3-0-2 in Rounds)
Judge - Sakda Permkvanpee.......50-47 (3-0-2 in Rounds)
Judge - Jonathan Young.............48-48 (2-2-1 in Rounds)

WBC Champion - 27 year-old - Saensak Muangsurin, now 10-1-0 (8 KO's) defensed his 'Title' with a sudden display
of viscous power in Round 6, flooring 'American' Challenger #9 WBC-ranked Mike Everett for the 'full count'.

23 year-old - Mike Everett of Philadelphia, entered the ring with a respectable 23-4-1 (10 KO's) record. The
5' 9" boxer-puncher, started off fast, but by Round 3, the intense heat of 104 degrees began to take it's toll
on the 'fast-handed' boxer. Several hard body punches administered by the Champion in Rounds 4 and 5 took
the strength out of Mr. Everett.

The 140 lb. Champion started to land his 'Hard Left Fist' in Round 6, hurting the 136 lb. Challenger badly.
The American was on the receiving end of a bad battering, and was floored by a hard left hand at the
2:40 Mark of Round 6, and then took the 'full 10 count', from Referee Larry Nadayang.
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Mike Everett; 'The heat was incredible, and I knew the only way to win was to try for a fast knockout.
I gave it my all in the first 3-Rounds. But, by Round 4, my legs were turning to jelly. Then Saensak hit me
with some body punches, and my muscles turned to butter. I just couldn't get up after he floored me.'

Before the bout, Mike Everett was threatened to be shot by 'snipers' if he defeated Saensak Muangsurin
in the ring.

Mike Everett; 'We were told, that snipers were hiding on the roof tops of buildings, leading to and from the
'stadium'. If I had won, I would have been shot. So, we had all the windows of our van painted except the
front window, so no one could see inside. It was wild scene, just like in the movies.'

'My manager told me that if I had knocked him out, to run to the corner and that my cornermen would
hide me under the ring, until we had protection from the Royal Thailand Guard.'

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Flea Man,

Saensak Muangsurin vs Perico Fernandez II

June 17, 1977

Madrid, Spain

Scorecards;
Referee - Jay Edson -------147-144 (6-3-6 in Rounds)
Judge - Marcello Bertini---148-144 (6-2-7 in Rounds)
Judge - Adam Guerrera-----147-145 (5-3-7 in Rounds)

The Unanimous Decision was 'disputed'. Both camps later agreed for a
'Third Bout' to be held on October 12, 1977 in Manila, The Philippines.

But Perico later injured his right hand in training, and Saoul Mamby filled-in as
a replacement Challenger. But that bout was switched to Korat, Thailand, and re-scheduled to
October 23, 1977.

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Saturday - April 2, 1977

Kokugikan Stadium - Tokyo, Japan

Attendance; 9500

WBC Light-Welterweight Championship

Champion * Saensak Muangsurin 7-1- (6 KO's)
vs.
#3 WBC * Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki 31-12-6 (17 KO's)

The 26 1/2 year-old Champion from Thailand will travel to Tokyo, Japan
to face 'veteran' Ishimatus 'Guts' Suzuki, the 27 1/2 year-old former
WBC Lightweight Champion.

The #3 WBC-ranked Light-Welterweight has gone 12-2-1 (6 KO's) over
the last 5-years, with his only losses to Esteban De Jesus and Roberto Duran,
both in World Championship Lightweight title bouts.

In his last bout (May 8, 1976), Ishimatsu lost his WBC Lightweight Championship
to Esteban De Jesus by a 15-Round Decision.

The 5' 7" Ishimatsu, is a tough as nails brawler, who is not only durable, but
has remarkable endurance. A hard body puncher, with a strong right hand,
Ishimatsu can wear down his opponents with non-stop aggression.

The 26 1/2 year-old Champion, will be making the '2nd-Defense' of his
'second reign'.

The Fight;

The Challenger fights well over the first 2-Rounds, and stays with the
Champion by countering with his punches, and out-working the southpaw
Thai-fighter.

But by Round 4, the hard-punching Champion is starting to land his 'hard left fist'
with more regularity, which hurts the Japanese Challenger.

In Round 5, Saensak is in complete control, and is looking to load-up with
his punches, looking to finish the now fading former Lightweight Champion.

In Round 6, Saensak is backing up Ishimatsu with hard punches, and with
a 'flash' hurts the Former Lightweight Champion with a 'wicked' left hook to the body at the
1:22 Mark of the Round. Ishimatsu then backs up to the 'neutral corner' and
goes down for a '9-Count'.

Within moments, Saensak whips in a left uppercut to the body, and Ishimatsu
goes down again, at the 1:46 Mark, where he is counted out by Referee
Larry Nadayag at the 1:56 Mark of Round 6.

Scorecards;
Referee - Larry Nadayag..............48-48 (2-2-1 in Rounds)
Judge - Takeo Ugo.....................50-47 (3-0-2 in Rounds)
Judge - Sadal Permandpee...........50-47 (3-0-2 in Rounds)

Saensak Muangsurin: 'I wanted to see what he had in the first '2-Rounds', so I was content
to pace myself. As soon as I started to hit Ishimatsu in the body, his strength was drained
and he had nothing left. I was expecting a tough battle, and thought that it would take me
'9' rounds to stop him'.

Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki: 'I thought that my right hand would neutralize Muangsurin. I had
planned to work the body, and back him up to take advantage of his poor defensive skills.
But he hit too hard, and my body ached after he scored with that left fist.'

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