Lumpinee Boxing Stadium
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee is run by the Royal Thai Army. It has become the symbol of modern Muay Thai. Only Rajadamnern Stadium rivals the prestige of holding the title of "Muay Thai Champion of Lumpinee". The ranking system and championship titles are held from mini flyweight up to super welterweight.
Muay Thai bouts are held on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The fights usually start around 18:00.
The final event at its original site on Rama IV Road near Lumphini Park was held on 8 February 2014. The stadium then moved to its new home on Ram Inthra Road which can hold up to 5,000 spectators. The new stadium held the first fight on 11 February 2014 and was officially opened on 28 February 2014.
History
General Praphas Charusathien was the driving force behind the construction of the Lumpinee Stadium, the second national stadium built in Thailand after Rajadamnern. Lumpinee opened its doors on 8 December 1956. The stadium is operated by the Army Welfare Department of the Royal Thai Army. All proceeds from the fights go towards supporting the various departments of the Thai Army. The board of directors, as of 2020 headed by Army Commander Apirat Kongsompong, consists entirely of army officers.Eleven promoters are responsible for booking boxers to fight at the stadium. The rules are the same as at Rajadamnern: boxers must weigh more than 100 lb, be older than 15 years, and the weight difference between boxers should not be more than. Women are not allowed to fight in the stadium or enter the ring.
One of the most famous Lumpinee champions was Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn who reigned without defeat in the early 1980s, holding the Lightweight title for four years. He was eventually forced to retire because he ran out of opponents.
Lumpinee Stadium was implicated in a cluster of COVID-19 cases during the coronavirus pandemic in Thailand in 2020. Boxing matches were held on 6 March 2020 in spite of a government shutdown order issued on 3 March. Among those later stricken by COVID-19 was the chief of the Army Welfare Department, who had been at the stadium.
In early 2021, it was reported that the Army was considering releasing the stadium to the private sector, or turning the stadium into a museum. In response to this, the Lumpinee management announced their intention to re-brand and implement major changes. These changes included allowing women to fight in the stadium, begin hosting mixed martial arts bouts and ban gambling in order to attract a non-gambling audience.
Traditionally reserved for male fighters, Lumpinee Stadium eventually hosted its first female fight card on 13 November 2021. The main event featured Buakaw Mor.Kor.Chor.Chaiyaphum facing Sanaejan Sor.Jor.Tongprajin for the WBC Muaythai mini flyweight championship and Lumpinee Stadium women's mini flyweight championship, with Sanaejan winning by decision.
Having long been a venue for Muay Thai, Lumpinee Stadium made history by holding its first mixed martial arts event on 16 January 2022, hosted by Fairtex Fight Promotion. The event consisted of both Muay Thai and MMA fights. In August 2022 it began hosting ONE Championship events, with nearly all fights under Muay Thai rules.
Lumpinee Stadium will host Muaythai events during 2025 SEA Games.
Notable champions
- Apidej Sit-Hirun
- Poot Lorlek
- Wichannoi Porntawee
- Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn
- Kongtoranee Payakaroon
- Samart Payakaroon
- Chamuekpet Hapalang
- Karuhat Sor.Supawan
- Saenchai Sor.Kingstar
- Anuwat Kaewsamrit
- Singdam Kiatmuu9
- Petchboonchu FA Group
- Yodsanklai Fairtex
- Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong
- Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9
- Panpayak Jitmuangnon
- Superlek Kiatmuu9
Current champions
| Weight Class | Champion | Date won | Days |
| Mini Flyweight | Vacant | ||
| Light Flyweight | Vacant | ||
| Flyweight | Vacant | - | - |
| Super Flyweight | Vacant | ||
| Bantamweight | Vacant | ||
| Super Bantamweight | Vacant | ||
| Featherweight | Vacant | - | - |
| Super Featherweight | Khunpon Eakmuangnon | 12 December 2023 | |
| Lightweight | Kanongsuek Gor.Kampanat | 29 April 2023 | |
| Super Lightweight | Vacant | - | - |
| Welterweight | Vacant | ||
| Super Welterweight | Kongthailand Kiatnavy | 6 May 2023 | |
| Middleweight | Denpanom Pran26 | 17 June 2023 |