Chamroen Songkitrat


Chamroen Songkitrat, born as Samroeng Srimadi, was a Thai boxer and policeman. Songkitrat was a champion Muay Thai fighter in Thailand with over 50 fights before becoming an orthodox boxer. He made two unsuccessful attempts at the NBA World Bantamweight title to Jimmy Carruthers and Robert Cohen in May and September 1954, both to audiences over 60,000. He is considered the first Thai boxer to have the opportunity to challenge for a World Champion, his fight with Jimmy Carruthers on May 2, 1954 was also the first world-class professional boxing event that took place in Thailand.

Career

On December 30, 1949, Songkitrat debuted against Mok Kai Khoon in the Happy World Arena, Singapore.
The first time he challenged the World Champion was against Australian Jimmy Carruthers on May 2, 1954, at the National Stadium. More than 60,000 spectators attended, including King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand Songkitrat was sponsored partly by the Royal Thai Police Department. The stadium was open-roofed, and as it was monsoon season and raining, both competitors fought barefoot and were forced to dodge falling light globes as they exploded from gusts of wind. This is the first recorded match in modern world boxing history where boxers removed their boots.
On September 19, 1954, Songkitrat challenged World Champion Robert Cohen at the National Stadium. His nose was broken during the seventh round, but he fought on, only to lose through points after 15 rounds.
On March 9, 1955, he fought Raúl Macías at Cow Palace, in California, and lost.
After retiring from boxing, he continued to work as a police officer. Upon quitting the force, Songkitrat spent time working in France before returning to Bangkok. He opened a business in Chiang Mai, but after becoming paralyzed he returned to Bangkok. He died there on August 29, 2003, at the age of 74.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
16Win9–4–2Baby RossPTS10Nov 18, 1955Bangkok, Thailand
15Win8–4–2Masayuki HasegawaPTS8Apr 1, 1955Bangkok, Thailand
14Loss7–4–2Billy PeacockTKO9 Oct 16, 1955Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
13Win6–4–2Danny KidPTS10Sep 4, 1955Bangkok, Thailand
12Loss6–4–2Raúl MacíasTKO11, 2:38Mar 9, 1955Cow Palace, Daly City, California, USFor vacant NBA bantamweight title
11Loss6–3–2Robert CohenSD15Sep 19, 1955National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, ThailandFor vacant NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
10Loss6–2–2Jimmy CarruthersPTS12May 2, 1954National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, ThailandFor NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring bantamweight titles
9Win6–1–2Kevin JamesKO6 Mar 29, 1954Bangkok, Thailand
8Win5–1–2Pappy GaultUD10Jan 10, 1954Bangkok, Thailand
7Win4–1–2Jimmy PearceKO1 Oct 13, 1953Bangkok, Thailand
6Win3–1–2Masashi AkiyamaPTS10May 31, 1953Bangkok, Thailand
5Win2–1–2Masashi AkiyamaPTS12Mar 1, 1953Bangkok, ThailandRetained PBF and Orient lightweight titles
4Win1–1–2Speedy CabanelaPTS12Oct 13, 1952Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandWon vacant
3Loss0–1–2Larry BataanPTS12Jul 26, 1952Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, PhilippinesFor vacant Orient featherweight title
2Draw0–0–2Tanny CampoPTS10Nov 19, 1951Bangkok, Thailand
1Draw0–0–1Mok Kai KhoonPTS8Dec 30, 1949Happy World Arena, Singapore