Wangchannoi Sor.Palangchai

Arporn Sophap, known professionally as Wangchannoi Sor.Palangchai, is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a former five-time Lumpinee Stadium champion across two divisions, as well as the 1993 Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year, who was famous in the 1980s and 1990s. Nicknamed the "Cross Punch Savant", he was especially known for his punching ability and is often regarded amongst the greatest fighters in Muay Thai history.

Biography and career

Wangchannoi was born in Tambon Wang Chan, Amphoe Khok Samrong, Lopburi Province in central Thailand. He received a diploma from Rattana Commercial School. He began his career at the age of 10 and quickly built a reputation in his hometown. Later, he moved to Bangkok to fight under the renowned promoter Songchai Rattanasuban.
He gained wider recognition after defeating Namphon Nongkeepahuyuth to win the Lumpinee Stadium Junior Flyweight title. This bout was part of the undercard for the WBC World Super Flyweight title fight between Gilberto Román and Kongtoranee Payakaroon. He also won the Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight title four times.
Eventually, he vacated the Flyweight title to move up to a heavier weight class. In the Junior Featherweight division, he won the Lumpinee Stadium title five times. At his peak, his highest fight purse reached 260,000 baht. He faced many top-tier fighters, including Oley Kiatoneway, Chamuakpetch Hapalang, Samransak Muangsurin, Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong, Karuhat Sor.Supawan, and the legendary Samart Payakaroon.
His match against Samart was particularly memorable, as Samart was widely considered the greatest Muay Thai fighter of the era. Wangchannoi defeated him on the undercard of the IBF Junior Flyweight World title fight between Tacy Macalos and Muangchai Kittikasem, held on May 2, 1989, at Lumpinee Stadium. Following the bout, Samart announced his immediate retirement in the ring. In 1993, Wangchannoi was named Fighter of the Year. In 1993, he was awarded best fighter of the year.
He earned the nickname The 33-Second Puncher from Muay Thai fans after knocking out Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth—Namphon's younger brother—in just 33 seconds of the first round. He also became known as the Chivas Lad due to his frequent post-fight drinking sessions with friends.

Retirement

He last fight with a defeat to Rambonoi Chor Tabtim by points in 1997. After retirement, he has been a Muay thai trainer in his older brother's Muay Thai gym for a while. After that, he traveled to France to be a trainer and switch to fight for two years to return to Thailand.
At present, Wangchannoi is a trainer at "Chor Hapayak Gym" at Tambon Lam Luk Ka, Amphoe Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani province.

Titles and honours

Lumpinee Stadium

* 1986 Lumpinee Stadium Light Flyweight (108 lbs) Champion
* 1988 Lumpinee Stadium Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) Champion
** One successful title defense
* 1991 Lumpinee Stadium Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) Champion
* 1993 Lumpinee Stadium Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) Champion
* 1994 Lumpinee Stadium Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) ChampionInternational Muay Thai Council
* 2001 IMTC World ChampionSports Writers Association of Thailand
* 1993 Fighter of the Year

Fight record