Chartchai Chionoi


Chartchai Chionoi a.k.a. Chartchai Laemfapha or birth name Naris Chionoi was a Thai professional boxer, WBC world champion and WBA world champion in the flyweight division. He took the WBC World Flyweight Championship two successive times and the WBA Championship one time before finally relinquishing it.

Early life

He was born into a poor family near Hua Lamphong quarter in Bangkok. Later, he moved with his family to settle down on the Thonburi side close to Wat Mai Phiren temple, where he started boxing for the first time in the event organized by the Royal Thai Navy.

Professional career

Chartchai Chionoi was the second world boxing champion from Thailand, following his idol Pone Kingpetch. Unlike most Thai fighters, Chartchai was never involved in the Thai combat art Muay Thai.
Chartchai Chionoi turned pro on March 27, 1959, with a second-round knockout over Somsak Kritsanasuwan. He went 7-0-1 in his first eight pro fights, with a six-round draw against Sala Kampuch the only blemish. In his ninth professional fight, he lost a 6-round decision to Singtong Por Tor. He avenged this loss five years later with a 10-round decision against Por Tor.
Chionoi traveled to Japan for his next 11 fights, going 8 and 3 in the process. All three of his losses were by 10-round decisions, including a loss at the hands of the reigning OPBF Jr. Featherweight Champion Haruo Sakamoto. The other two fighters that defeated Chionoi during this time, Mitsunori Seki and Akira Oguchi, lost rematches with him.
After fighting in Japan for a year, Chionoi returned to his native Thailand for his next four fights, his only loss to Ernesto Miranda, whom he later defeated in a rematch.
On September 22, 1962, in Quezon City, Philippines, Chionoi met Primo Famiro for the vacant OPBF Flyweight Championship. Chionoi decisioned Famiro over twelve rounds to capture the vacant title. In July of the following year, Chionoi lost his first defense of the OPBF Flyweight Championship in a decision to Tsuyoshi Nakamura in Osaka, Japan. Nakamura made ten successful defenses of the OPBF Championship, before finally losing it in October 1969.
Chionoi went 19-2-1 over the next three years to earn his first world title shot. During that stretch, he won a 10-round decision over WBA and WBC Flyweight Champion Salvatore Burruni. Burruni had captured his world titles by defeating Chionoi's predecessor, Pone Kingpetch, in April 1965.
On December 30, 1966, Chionoi challenged the World Flyweight Champion Walter McGowan. He stopped McGowan in the 9th round to capture the vacant WBC Flyweight Title, his first world title. Chionoi made four successful title defenses during this first reign as champion, including victories over McGowan in their rematch, and Efren Torres.
On February 23, 1969, Chionoi lost his title to Efren Torres in a rematch. The fight was stopped in the 8th round because Chionoi's left eye had swollen shut. He won two out of three fights to earn a rematch with Torres.
In March 1970 in front of over 40,000 of his countrymen, Chionoi won a 15-round unanimous decision over Torres in their rubber match, to once again claim the WBC Flyweight Championship. He won by scores of 148–142, 147-144 and 145–141. His second title reign was short lived.
In his first title defense, Chionoi was knocked out by Erbito Salavarria in the second round. Salavarria made several successful title defenses before losing the WBC Flyweight Championship; he later reigned as WBA Flyweight Champion as well.
Undeterred by losing the WBC Flyweight Championship for a second time, Chionoi went undefeated in his next six fights to secure a title shot against long time WBA Flyweight Champion Masao Ohba. On January 2, 1973, Chionoi faced Ohba in a very memorable fight. Chionoi put Ohba on the canvas early, but the champion rebounded and stopped Chionoi in the 12th round.
Ohba died in an auto accident 22 days after this fight. As a result, Chionoi was paired against Fritz Chervet in May 1973 for the vacant title. He knocked out Chervet in the 5th round to capture his third World Flyweight Championship.
Two successful defenses of his WBA Flyweight Championship followed, before Chionoi lost it on the scales in October 1974. Despite being stripped of the title, he still fought Susumu Hanagata in a fight that was for the vacant WBA Flyweight Title, at least on Hanagata's part. Hanagata stopped Chionoi in the 6th round to walk away the WBA Flyweight Champion.
After losing his third World title, Chionoi won a ten-round decision over Willie Asuncion, then lost by knockout to Rodolfo Francis in August 1975. He retired from boxing after this loss, finishing with a career record of 61-18-3.

Retirement

Chionoi lived a comfortable life in retirement with his wife of over 45 years, spending as much time as possible with their four children. Despite some lasting ill effects from his years as a boxer, he had fond memories of his career, and no regrets.
He had lasting effects from Parkinson's disease, including come paralysis, a by-product of his boxing career.
He died on the evening of January 21, 2018, at 75 years old.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
82Loss61–18–3Rodolfo FrancisTKO6 Aug 16, 1975Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
81Win61–17–3Willie AsuncionPTS10Apr 11, 1975Bangkok, Thailand
80Loss60–17–3Susumu HanagataKO6 Oct 18, 1974Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Kanagawa, JapanWBA flyweight title at stake only for Hanagata after Chionoi missed weight
79Win60–16–3Fritz ChervetSD15Apr 27, 1974Hallenstadion, Zurich, SwitzerlandRetained WBA flyweight title
78Loss59–16–3Fernando CabanelaUD10Jan 29, 1974Honolulu International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
77Win59–15–3Susumu HanagataUD15Oct 27, 1973Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandRetained WBA flyweight title
76Win58–15–3Fritz ChervetRTD4 May 17, 1973National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, ThailandWon vacant WBA flyweight title
75Loss57–15–3Masao ObaKO12 Jan 2, 1973Nihon University Auditorium, Tokyo, JapanFor WBA flyweight title
74Win57–14–3Esteban RangelKO2 Oct 18, 1972Bangkok, Thailand
73Win56–14–3Shiomi TanakaPTS10Jul 5, 1972Bangkok, Thailand
72Win55–14–3Edmundo EjandraTKO9 Apr 5, 1972Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
71Win54–14–3Kenji EndoPTS10Jan 31, 1972Bangkok, Thailand
70Win53–14–3Berkrerk ChartvanchaiPTS10Nov 15, 1971Bangkok, Thailand
69Draw52–14–3Snappy AsanoPTS10Apr 19, 1971Bangkok, Thailand
68Loss52–14–2Erbito SalavarriaTKO2 Dec 7, 1970Army Sports Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandLost WBC and The Ring flyweight titles
67Win52–13–2Al DiazPTS10Jun 19, 1970Bangkok, Thailand
66Win51–13–2Efren TorresUD15Mar 20, 1970National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, ThailandWon WBC and The Ring flyweight titles
65Win50–13–2Ely AxintoKO6 Jan 13, 1970Bangkok, Thailand
64Win49–13–2Rudy AlarconKO9 Sep 7, 1969Bangkok, Thailand
63Loss48–13–2Willy Del PradoUD10Jun 24, 1969Bangkok, Thailand
62Loss48–12–2Efren TorresTKO8 Feb 23, 1969El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoLost WBC and The Ring flyweight titles
61Win48–11–2Bernabe VillacampoUD15Nov 10, 1968Carusathiars Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandRetained The Ring flyweight title; Won the vacant WBC flyweight title
60Loss47–11–2Eduardo MojicaUD10Jun 8, 1968Estadio Nacional, Managua, Nicaragua
59Win47–10–2Efren TorresTKO13 Jan 28, 1968El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoRetained The Ring flyweight title
58Win46–10–2Mimoun Ben AliKO4 Dec 8, 1967Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
57Win45–10–2Walter McGowanTKO7 Sep 19, 1967Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Retained The Ring flyweight title
56Win44–10–2Puntip KeosuriyaKO3 Jul 26, 1967Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandRetained The Ring flyweight title
55Win43–10–2Baby LoronaUD10Feb 28, 1967Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
54Win42–10–2Bonny BoromeoTKO4 Feb 3, 1967Phitsanulok, Thailand
53Win41–10–2Walter McGowanTKO9 Dec 30, 1966Kittikachorn Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandWon The Ring flyweight title
52Win40–10–2Terry GoKO6 Nov 15, 1966Bangkok, Thailand
51Win39–10–2Saknoi Sor KosumKO1 Aug 16, 1966Bangkok, Thailand
50Win38–10–2Chaythong SingchiopleongKO3 May 21, 1966Bangkok, Thailand
49Win37–10–2Clever LunaKO4 Apr 10, 1966Chiang Mai, Thailand
48Win36–10–2Ernesto MirandaPTS10Mar 15, 1966Bangkok, Thailand
47Win35–10–2Salvatore BurruniUD10Feb 8, 1966Bangkok, Thailand
46Win34–10–2Pornchai Poprai ngamKO1 Jan 7, 1966Bangkok, Thailand
45Win33–10–2Michel LamoraPTS10Sep 28, 1965Bangkok, Thailand
44Loss32–10–2Hajime TarouraPTS10Aug 22, 1965Tokyo, Japan
43Win32–9–2Cherry MontanoKO2 Jul 8, 1965Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
42Win31–9–2Cherry MontanoKO2 Jun 10, 1965Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
41Win30–9–2Rudy VillagonzaKO3 May 12, 1965Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
40Win29–9–2Rudy VillagonzaTKO4 Apr 24, 1965Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
39Win28–9–2Singtong Por TorPTS10Feb 2, 1965Bangkok, Thailand
38Win27–9–2Anandech SithhiranPTS10Sep 12, 1964Bangkok, Thailand
37Loss26–9–2Bernardo CaraballoPTS10Jul 12, 1964Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
36Win26–8–2Little ParamountKO2 Jun 10, 1964Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
35Win25–8–2Rudy VillagonzaPTS10Feb 8, 1964Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
34Win24–8–2Pat GonzalesKO7 Jan 7, 1964Cebu, Philippines
33Win23–8–2Leo MacamlintonPTS10Nov 21, 1963Bangkok, Thailand
32Draw22–8–2Tetsuya YamagamiPTS10Aug 28, 1963Tokyo, Japan
31Win22–8–1Tadao KawamuraPTS10Jul 26, 1963Kokura Gym, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
30Loss21–8–1Takeshi NakamuraPTS12Jul 7, 1963Osaka, Osaka, JapanLost OPBF flyweight title
29Loss21–7–1Takeshi NakamuraPTS10Jun 7, 1963Tokyo, Japan
28Win21–6–1Seisaku SaitoTKO8 Feb 19, 1963Tokyo, Japan
27Loss20–6–1Hiroyuki EbiharaUD12Dec 31, 1962Yasaka Hall, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
26Win20–5–1Baby EspinosaKO6 Oct 4, 1962Cebu, Philippines
25Win19–5–1Primo FamiroPTS12Sep 22, 1962Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesWon vacant OPBF flyweight title
24Loss18–5–1Ernesto MirandaPTS10Jul 12, 1962Bangkok, Thailand
23Win18–4–1Mitsunori SekiMD10Apr 24, 1962Bangkok, Thailand
22Win17–4–1Kyo NoguchiPTS10Dec 9, 1961Bangkok, Thailand
21Win16–4–1Akira OguchiTKO5 Sep 28, 1961Bangkok, Thailand
20Win15–4–1Masao OgawaRTD5 Sep 7, 1961Nakajima Sports Center, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
19Loss14–4–1Haruo SakamotoPTS10Aug 17, 1961Tokyo, Japan
18Win14–3–1Masakatsu KurokiRTD7 Jul 21, 1961Abeno Gymnasium, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
17Loss13–3–1Akira OguchiPTS10Jun 8, 1961Tokyo, Japan
16Win13–2–1Shotaro AidaKO2 May 15, 1961Tokyo, Japan
15Win12–2–1Kazuyoshi AmadaTKO6 Apr 19, 1961Tokyo, Japan
14Loss11–2–1Mitsunori SekiUD10Jan 4, 1961Nihon University Auditorium, Tokyo, Japan
13Win11–1–1Masao OgawaPTS10Dec 4, 1960Tokyo, Japan
12Win10–1–1Yoshikatsu FurukawaPTS8Oct 19, 1960Tokyo, Japan
11Win9–1–1Atsuto FukumotoTKO2 Sep 29, 1960Tokyo, Japan
10Win8–1–1Masanobu KambayashiKO8 Sep 2, 1960Tokyo, Japan
9Loss7–1–1Singtong Por TorPTS6Aug 1, 1960Bangkok, Thailand
8Win7–0–1Suparit BenjamasitKO4 Jun 4, 1960Bangkok, Thailand
7Win6–0–1Willy LertritKO2 Feb 2, 1960Bangkok, Thailand
6Win5–0–1Wan WanphoPTS6Dec 29, 1959Phnom Penh, Cambodia
5Win4–0–1Yu SamangKO2 Nov 1, 1959Phnom Penh, Cambodia
4Win3–0–1Opas RorsorporPTS6Sep 27, 1959Bangkok, Thailand
3Draw2–0–1Sala KampuchPTS6May 31, 1959Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2Win2–0Surin PraromdeeKO2 Apr 8, 1959Bangkok, Thailand
1Win1–0Somsak KritsanasuwanKO2 Mar 27, 1959Ratchaburi, Thailand