Muaythai Journal Episode 5: Rungubon Eminent Air
10January 28, 2013 by Melissa Ray
How much do you know about the backgrounds of the Thais you train with? I’ve trained at my gym Eminent Air for the past 5 years but, to be honest, I haven’t asked too many questions about the boxers’ histories prior to their joining the gym.
The exception might be Bpragaipetch, who last year featured in National Geographic Channel Asia’s Fight Club Asia, as I was involved in the research and fact-checking process for his sections of the documentary.
Photo by Muay Siam
For most of the other fighters, my knowledge of their backgrounds mainly consists of their home provinces and approximate total number of fights, as well as family members who have visited the gym or attended fights at various stadiums.
So when John Wolcott came to Eminent Air last year to film interviews with Rungubon, Neungthep and Bpragaipetch for his Muaythai Journal documentary series, I was, of course, interested in seeing the end results—not just to view the fruits of his labours, but also to learn more about the beginnings of the boxers I train with—matters we don’t tend to discuss during training.
Rungubon with his fiancée Pond
The first of the Eminent Air boxers to feature in the series is Rungubon. Rungubon is one of the quieter, more reserved characters at the gym, but with a wickedly dry sense of humour when he opens up.
Hailing from Ubon Ratchathani, he forms one half of Muay Thai’s cutest couple with his fiancée Pond, a teacher from Uttaradit.
His major fighting achievements are the 115lb and 118lb Omnoi titles and the 116lb Maa Daeng tournament title, and his notable opponents include Gengart and Genglaa Sor Chokkitchai, Gamlaiyok Gor Romsrithong and Seaukim Sitjetaew amongst others.
Unfortunately, at the time of filming, Rungubon was carrying an injury so was unable to provide a demonstration of his power and skills on the pads. However, there remains much for Muay Thai fans to enjoy in this episode thanks to another excellent piece of film-making from John.
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Dear Melissa Ray, do you still train at Eminent Air? I’ve seen you trained at ChaiYai gym in Chiangmai, and saw you fought in Pattaya, and at SanaamLuang. Then I heard that you retired from Muaythai.
Ah! Now I hear that Eminent Air has taken the name of Sakami muay thai ซากามิ? What’s the story behind this?
New sponsor. Actually, a lot of people ask me this question so I think my next blog post will be an article explaining the story.
Yes, I still train at Eminent Air! I trained at Chay Yai in Chiang Mai for about 10 months in 2007 then joined Eminent Air at the end of that year. I’m not fighting anymore because of a couple of bad injuries but I still love training and being involved in the sport.
Thanks for taking time to reply. I now realize what Sakami product is, so further clarification isn’t really necessary. I also train muaythai for longevity benefit lol. Has your path ever crossed Paul’s of Silapa Muay Thai Darlington? He knows Dean White.
Yes I know Paul! If we ever met in person it was many, many years ago but we do send the odd message through facebook. My first gym was actually Kings Cobra in Co. Durham when I was studying at Newcastle University. My trainer was Sean Dooney, who used to be closely connected with Paul. How do you know Paul?
I’ve known Paul for quite a long while, through internet. Several years before I heard of Dean White lol. He would be very happy to hear that you have resume muaythai training. I regard you at same level as Ramon Decker, but on the female muaythai scene.
Oh gosh, I wouldn’t even dream of making such a comparison. I don’t come anywhere close. But thank you for your kind words and for taking an interest in my fight career and site.
Ha ha, don’t be modest. While muaythai girls’ fight aren’t developed as the male counter part, you were there to fight any fighter. Like Ramon, you fought many top Thai fighters, and that speaks a lot. You didn’t just remain and fight in England. BTW, I’m Thai.
Here is Paul’s contact address: Paul (Fire Cobra)
paul pearson
(pearsonpromo@yahoo.co.uk)