Thailand Marks a Boxing Revival as Rockman and Saart Rise on the International Stage

Thailand currently boasts just one reigning world champion: Thanongsak Simsri (39-1, 34 KOs), the IBF light-flyweight titleholder. The nation’s other recent standout, Panya Pradabsri (44-3, 27 KOs), lost his WBC 108-pound title to Carlos Canizales in Caracas this past August and subsequently announced his retirement.

With the WBC convention fast approaching, speculation is building that a world title fight could soon return to Thai soil. Like many countries, Thailand’s boxing scene has experienced its highs and lows, but local powerhouse Nakornluang Promotion is working to shift momentum with two major bouts now on the calendar.

Chainoi “Rockman” Worawut Set for Tokyo Test

On October 1, Chainoi “Rockman” Worawut (26-1-1, 16 KOs) will step into the ring at Tokyo’s famed Korakuen Hall for an eight-round super-bantamweight bout against seasoned former IBF champion Yukinori Oguni (22-4-3, 9 KOs).

Worawut, 28, is ranked No. 13 by the WBC and has built a reputation through explosive knockouts broadcast on Thai television. The son of Muay Thai legend Chatchainoi Chaoraioi, he brings an aggressive, power-punching style to the ring. He’s coming off a KO win over veteran Sukprasert Ponphitak (32-24, 22 KOs) and enters Japan with confidence.

Oguni, 37, is a battle-tested veteran with world title experience and past clashes against the likes of John Riel Casimero, Ryosuke Iwasa, and Jonathan Guzman. Fighting at home, he’ll have the crowd and experience on his side.

This marks Worawut’s second international outing, following a loss to Sam Goodman in an IBF eliminator in Australia last year — a bout that briefly opened the door to a potential clash with pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue. Reflecting on that setback, Worawut admitted, “I needed to be faster and throw a wider variety of punches.” His current training camp has focused on improving accuracy and timing.

A win in Tokyo could significantly boost his world ranking and inch him closer to a title shot in a competitive 122-pound division. For Nakornluang, it could also signal the start of a broader resurgence for Thai boxing on the world stage.

Sathaporn Saart to Face Luis Nery in High-Stakes Clash

In a surprise announcement, it was confirmed that rising Thai featherweight Sathaporn Saart (17-2, 9 KOs) will take on Mexico’s former two-division world champion Luis Nery on October 26 in Kyrgyzstan, under the banner of 3150 Fight Promotion.

At just 22, Saart — ranked No. 30 by the WBC — holds the WBC Asia featherweight title and is facing a massive step up in competition. This will be only his second fight outside of Thailand, the first being a TKO loss to unbeaten Mikito Nakano in Japan in 2024. Since that defeat, Saart has strung together four consecutive victories and looks to carry that momentum into his toughest test yet.

Nery, 30, is a dangerous, battle-hardened puncher with world championship experience at both bantamweight and super-bantamweight. Now campaigning at featherweight, he’s coming off a seventh-round stoppage of Kyonosuke Kameda and remains a serious threat in the division.

Saart, known for his grit and willingness to engage, is a protégé of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (58-7-1, 47 KOs), the former super-flyweight king who famously dethroned Roman Gonzalez. Promoter Surachart Phisitvuthinun is hopeful that Saart can follow in those footsteps.

It’s a huge opportunity — and in boxing, sometimes that’s all it takes. A win over Nery would instantly elevate Saart’s profile and launch him into serious world title contention.

A Pivotal Moment for Thai Boxing

Boxing in Thailand finds itself at a crossroads. With two promising fighters now stepping onto the international stage, there’s renewed hope of bringing the country back into the global boxing spotlight. Both Worawut and Saart face formidable opponents, but their success could signal a new era for Thai boxing.

As for the upcoming WBC convention, expect more developments to follow — including the possibility of a major fight being staged on home turf.